I keep hearing ASU backers talk about how underrated their D is. Lots of true sharps loving to take the points based on ASU's D. If you only consider FBS vs FBS games (no point muddling stats w FCS blowouts), they rank 11th in the country in scoring defense giving up 15.8 PPG, and 8th in total defense (right there w the big boys). However, if you dig a little deeper here's what you find...
The scoring offense rankings of the teams they've played are 73, 100, 104, 111, and 121 out of 124. Their opponents combined average PPG is 18.8. Giving up 15.8 to teams that average 18.8 is good, but not spectacular. If they give up 3 pts less than Oregon's average, Oregon will score 47.
The total offense ranking of the teams they've played are even worse. 56, 105, 107, 113, 116. There's only 124 FBS teams, and ASU has faced 5 of the bottom 20. And, 3 of those 5 have had a backup QB start due to injuries.
Oregon's D is giving up 21.2 to teams that average 26.26. Plus, Oregon has given up just under half of those in garbage time with 3+ touchdown leads and sub's in. The garbage points/yards makes Oregon's D a bit underrated if you just look at their total stats.
There are several solid reasons to like ASU in this game. Home crowd, thursday night, Oregon's first true road game w a Freshman QB. (we saw how that worked for Stanford...) Plus, the line has moved from -10 to -8 with 80% on Oregon. Obviously some people of influence are on ASU.
Both teams will be facing their stiffest competition so far this year. Arizona state hasn't faced a Defense or Offense anywhere close to as good as Oregon's, but the same is true for Oregon.
I know it's easy to want to be the guy that picked the big upset, and prove everybody wrong, but I'd rather be on the winning side. I see Oregon's offense winning by 10 alone, plus a D/ST Touchdown for an easy cover.
OREGON -8 It's the public pick, but it's the smart pick.
Whether or not you agree with the pick, hope you were able to take something away from that. BOL everyone
The scoring offense rankings of the teams they've played are 73, 100, 104, 111, and 121 out of 124. Their opponents combined average PPG is 18.8. Giving up 15.8 to teams that average 18.8 is good, but not spectacular. If they give up 3 pts less than Oregon's average, Oregon will score 47.
The total offense ranking of the teams they've played are even worse. 56, 105, 107, 113, 116. There's only 124 FBS teams, and ASU has faced 5 of the bottom 20. And, 3 of those 5 have had a backup QB start due to injuries.
Oregon's D is giving up 21.2 to teams that average 26.26. Plus, Oregon has given up just under half of those in garbage time with 3+ touchdown leads and sub's in. The garbage points/yards makes Oregon's D a bit underrated if you just look at their total stats.
There are several solid reasons to like ASU in this game. Home crowd, thursday night, Oregon's first true road game w a Freshman QB. (we saw how that worked for Stanford...) Plus, the line has moved from -10 to -8 with 80% on Oregon. Obviously some people of influence are on ASU.
Both teams will be facing their stiffest competition so far this year. Arizona state hasn't faced a Defense or Offense anywhere close to as good as Oregon's, but the same is true for Oregon.
I know it's easy to want to be the guy that picked the big upset, and prove everybody wrong, but I'd rather be on the winning side. I see Oregon's offense winning by 10 alone, plus a D/ST Touchdown for an easy cover.
OREGON -8 It's the public pick, but it's the smart pick.
Whether or not you agree with the pick, hope you were able to take something away from that. BOL everyone
