The last time Oregon and Ohio State met, the two programs were dueling in the first-ever College Football Playoff championship. The teams consider themselves contenders to return to the playoffs this season, as both are the defending champions of their conferences. In Week One, both teams hit some stumbling blocks, though. Ohio State fell behind Minnesota in the first half of their matchup before the Buckeyes turned things around after the intermission, rolling to a 45-31 win. Quarterback C.J. Stroud had a pick early but threw four scoring passes in the second half. Oregon was up on Fresno State 14-0 early but had a fourth-quarter deficit before coming back to win, 31-24, on the strength of a 30-yard scramble on fourth down from quarterback Anthony Brown with less than three minutes remaining. The Ducks also lost defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has been projected s one of the first five picks in the next NFL draft. The Buckeyes come in as huge favorites given the teams’ rankings.
Should you respect that line or not? We have your full college football betting prediction.
NCAAF Preview: Oregon at Ohio State
When: Saturday, September 11, 2021, 12:00 pm ET
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
TV: FOX
Radio: Oregon Sports Network / Ohio State Sports Network
Live Stream: Hulu
NCAAF Odds: Ohio State -14.5 / O/U 64
Why should you bet on the Ducks?
It is true that the Oregon running game took a while to get going against Fresno State. However, the Ducks’ offense has the talent that it needs to contend. It’s just a question of execution at this point. Oregon has the speed as a team to do more damage than Minnesota did last week; the Golden Gophers were largely relying on their system, as well as heart and commitment, and they still came within a quarter or so of a mighty upset. Also, even with Thibodeaux out, the Ducks have the pass rush that they need to keep C.J. Stroud from getting too comfortable in the pocket.
The enthusiasm that the Ducks have to start games is another factor in tier favor. I see them running out to an early lead as their speed surprises the more staid Buckeyes. Ohio State will then respond by using their depth in the running game to start chewing clock. However, Stroud will need to put up some big plays in order to keep up with the Ducks. If you like Oregon, you see them managing to stifle the Ohio State offense when they need a stop either to survive or stay on top.
Why should you put your money on the Buckeyes?
Don’t sleep on the Ohio State O-line. We read a lot about the skill players in Columbus — C.J. Stroud, TreVeyon Henderson, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. However, without a stout O-line, skill players don’t have the time and space to do what they need to do. The line struggled in the first half against Minnesota when it came to getting a push and opening holes for the running game, but it also did not fall apart, as the stats show one tackle for loss for Minnesota — and zero sacks.
It also helps to look back at the 2021 Fiesta Bowl, when Oregon took on Iowa State. The Cyclones took an approach that is similar to the one that I expect Ohio State to adopt, using the ground game to keep the Ducks’ high-octane offense off the field. Iowa State ground out 228 yards on the ground, chewing up clock all game long, and ended up controlling the overall game. If you like Ohio State, you see their offense controlling the rhythm once again and squeezing the hope out of te Ducks.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
I was dead wrong about Ohio State last week; I thought that the trip to Minnesota would either lead to a last-second escape or an upset win for the Golden Gophers. Instead, Ohio State finished crisply after taking over the game. I see the Buckeyes winning at home,
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