Ohio Stare at Oregon Preview and Pick

In a season where rankings apparently have no meaning, it’s No. 2 (Ohio St.) visiting No. 3 (Oregon) Saturday evening. Both the Buckeyes and Ducks are 5-0, 2-0 in the Big Ten. 

Game time at Autzen Stadium is 7:30 PM (ET)

OSU had three relatively easy wins (Akron, Western Michigan, Marshall) to begin the season. It was then the beginning of conference play, with the Buckeyes disposing of the Michigan St. Spartans and Iowa Hawkeyes by a combined 59 points.

Oregon hasn’t always been sharp, as the Ducks opened with lackluster (winning) efforts against the Idaho Vandals and the Boise St. Broncos. Then, a 35-point Civil War rout at the Oregon St. Beavers before back-to-back, three-touchdowns conference wins over the UCLA Bruins (home) and Michigan St. Spartans (road).

It’s the visiting Buckeyes as 3-point favorites (total at 53), according to college football odds

OSU has won nine of the 10 previous meetings with Oregon (teams last met in 2021). This will be the first meeting between the schools as members of the Big Ten.

The Weakness-less Buckeyes

Looking at the numbers, it’s difficult to see shortcomings with the Ohio St. Buckeyes.

They are averaging 46 points and 510.4 yards per game (t-second and sixth in nation, respectively). They’ve surrendered an NCAA-fewest 6.8 points and 203.4 yards/game.

Try to find a flaw.

The program of coach Ryan Day continues to produce elite wide receivers, with this group led by Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka (combined 53 receptions, 11 touchdowns).

Quarterback Will Howard (1,248 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, three interceptions) has found 15 different targets this season.

The ground game tandem of TrVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, are right around eight yards per carry (nine touchdowns). 

Health of Gabriel

During last week’s game against the Michigan St. Spartans, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel took a huge hit in the first quarter. Gabriel didn’t get to his feet right away, then gingerly walked back to the sideline.

The wind knocked out of him, but coach Dan Lanning admired the grit of Gabriel.

“He’s a tough kid, you saw it (tonight),” Lanning said.

Oregon will obviously need Gabriel’s A-game if the Ducks are to prevail at home. All he’s done is lead the nation in completion percentage (77.8%), 11 passing touchdowns (three interceptions). He was picked twice by the Spartans, however.   

Jordan James (552 rushing yards, eight touchdowns) does more than keep opposing defenses honest. He had 166 ground yards against MSU last week.  

Back the Buckeyes 

Board has Ohio St. as the current 3-1 (+300) favorite to win the title, Oregon at 10-1 (+1000), as per college football championship odds.

We still have to acknowledge the slow Buckeye starts this season.

Ohio St. scored just seven points against Akron in the first quarter of its opener, then was deadlocked against Marshall after the first quarter. Then, against Michigan St., there were only three points in the first quarter in what turned out to be a 38-7 win. OSU had just seven points in the first half against Iowa last week.

Eventually, this pattern is going to bite the Buckeyes.

However, OSU has been more consistent than its hosts to this point in the season (scoring 11 more points per game, then surrendering 10 fewer/game). 

Plus, the Buckeyes bring a more balanced run game with them.

Take the visiting Ohio St. Buckeyes -3 in Eugene. Bet it now at BETUS.com and a big bonus