Oregon Ducks at Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview
The Pac-12 and Big Ten will be on full display Saturday afternoon as the Oregon Ducks (1-0) take on the Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0). The Buckeyes will host this one at Ohio Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 12:00 pm ET.
It wasn’t pretty, but Oregon was able to squeak out a 31-24 win over Fresno State in their opener last weekend. After finishing 4-3 last year, the Ducks hope to improve on that record this season but also need to play better on the road (2-2 last season).
Ohio State was also victorious in Week 1 as they beat Minnesota 45-31. After finishing 5-0 in the conference and 7-1 overall last season, the Buckeyes have National Championship aspirations this season.
Ohio State is the favorite playing at home this weekend. They are -750 to win while the Ducks’ moneyline sits at +490. The spread features Oregon +14.5 (-110), and the over/under for total points is 63.5.
More Odds
Ohio State is currently the favorite to win the Big Ten championship this season at -200. They also have the third-best odds to win the National Championship at +600.
Oregon is also the favorite to win their conference as they are +300 to win the Pac-12. In terms of the National Championship, they are +8000 to win it.
By The Numbers
Oregon is 16-4 in their last 20 games, but they are 1-5 against the spread in their last six.
Ohio State is undefeated in their last 22 home games. They are 18-2 in their last 20 games overall.
Oregon May Have To Overcome Injuries To Beat Ohio State
While the Ducks were able to overcome Fresno State last week, it may have come at a cost. Their best defensive player, Kayvon Thibodeaux, was hurt with an ankle sprain.
Unfortunately, the availability of Thibodeaux may be a game-time decision Saturday. According to head coach Mario Cristobal, he is day-to-day at this point.
Last season, Thibodeaux had 38 tackles and three sacks. Many believe that he is not only a candidate for the Heisman Trophy this year, but he also could be at the top of many NFL draft boards next year.
Offensively, the Ducks were able to get enough from quarterback Anthony Brown to win the game. He threw for 172 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 56 yards and another score.
Leading the ground game were running backs CJ Verdell (18 carries, 74 yards, one touchdown) and Travis Dye (13 carries, 64 yards, one touchdown).
Ohio State Looks To Flex Homefield Muscles
Ohio State is already a tough team to beat. At home, it is almost impossible to take down the Buckeyes.
On offense, head coach Ryan Day’s Buckeye team is led by quarterback CJ Stroud. Last week, he threw for 294 yards, four touchdowns, and a single interception against Minnesota.
Through the air, Stroud’s favorite targets were Chris Olave (four receptions, 117 yards, two touchdowns), Garrett Wilson (five receptions, 80 yards, one touchdown), and TreVeyon Henderson (one reception, 70 yards, one touchdown).
On the ground, Miyan Williams rushed just nine times, but he still managed to gain 125 yards and a score.
Taking Ohio State To Win And Cover
Especially with Kayvon Thibodeaux questionable, the Oregon Ducks could have a real hard time slowing down one of the best offenses in all of college football.
Furthermore, Oregon’s offense showed last week that they might have a hard time keeping up if it does get into a shootout.
Between Oregon’s limitations, their health, and Ohio State’s dominance playing at home, take Ohio State to both win and cover the 14.5 points spread in this one.
