Oregon Ducks 3-TD favorites versus UCLA
Will the top spot in the AP poll prove to be a curse for Oregon just as it was the last two weeks for Alabama and Ohio State? Or will the Ducks use a blowout win over the Bruins to possibly springboard past Oklahoma to No. 1 in the BCS rankings? Those questions will be answered Thursday night on ESPN at Autzen Stadium (9 p.m. ET) when Oregon and UCLA collide in a college football betting showdown.
Newly-minted No. 1 Oregon looks to avoid the recent curse that’s affected the top team in the AP poll when it comes off a bye week to host UCLA on Thursday night at Autzen Stadium (9 p.m. ET, ESPN).
The Ducks (6-0 SU, 4-2 ATS) are the new top dog on the college football betting odds board, but that’s killed schools in the same position lately.
Alabama was No. 1 in the nation before falling to South Carolina in Week 6, and following the loss, Ohio State was anointed to the top spot.
What happened to the Buckeyes on Saturday? They fell at Wisconsin to open the door for Oregon.
Don’t expect the Ducks to suffer the same fate when they take on the Bruins (3-3 SU, 2-4 ATS) in Eugene on Thursday night under the brights lights of national television.
More importantly, count on Oregon having little trouble covering its 22-point fave tag when it hits the gridiron against UCLA, which is also coming off a bye week.
The Ducks lead the land in total offense (570.3 YPG) and scoring (54.3 PPG), are third in rushing (321.3 YPG), and have a pretty decent defense to boot. Oregon is allowing only 16.3 points per game, good for 16th in the country.
I’ll let you do the math, but that’s quite the scoring differential.
I just don’t see how UCLA keeps pace with Oregon, let alone stops it from putting up points. The Bruins can run the ball, ranking 13th in the nation in that department with 223.0 yards per game, but overall, they’re 99th in total offense (318.5 YPG), including 118th in passing (95.5 YPG).
On defense, UCLA is only 92nd against the run (182.3 YPG). It could get ugly in a hurry against Oregon, which is 3-0 ATS in its three games in Eugene this season.
A blowout is in the cards, especially with quarterback Darron Thomas (shoulder) looking like he’ll play on Thursday. Thomas left the Ducks’ 43-23 win at Washington State (+36½) in Week 6, but it didn’t matter with backup Nate Costa picking up the slack.
That’s what separates Oregon from the other national title contenders: It has two QBs that can run the offense effectively.
Thomas was 8-of-12 for 153 yards with a touchdown before getting hurt against the Cougars, and Costa was even more efficient in relief. Costa finished 13-of-15 for 151 yards with a score, and also posted 84 rushing yards on eight carries with a TD on the ground.
Of course, Chip Kelly’s offense is centered around Heisman Trophy hopeful LaMichael James, who should shred the Bruins’ porous run defense on Thursday. James had 136 yards rushing on 25 attempts with two touchdowns against Washington State in Week 6 to lead an Oregon ground game that put up 252 yards.
If that’s not enough ammunition, the Ducks could have change-of-pace running back Kenjon Barmer (head injury) against UCLA. Barmer returned to practice earlier this week.
Rick Neuheisel, on the other hand, won’t have a full lineup on Thursday. Top kick returner Josh Smith and starting fullback/tight end Morrell Presley have both been suspended for one game for a violation of team rules. Christian Ramirez or Anthony Barr should start in Presley’s place for the Bruins, who are also without cornerback Anthony Jefferson (broken left foot).
You don’t always like to take a look at common opponents, but it reveals a little something in this matchup. Oregon ripped Stanford 52-31 at home on October 2, while UCLA was drilled 35-0 by the same Cardinal at the Rose Bowl on September 11.
The Ducks, 8-2 against the NCAAF betting number in their last 10 games at Autzen Stadium, are 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS in their last nine meetings with the Bruins. Oregon won 24-10 in Los Angeles last October to cover as 3-point chalk, as they racked up 221 yards rushing in the payday.
Will the top spot in the AP poll prove to be a curse for Oregon just as it was the last two weeks for Alabama and Ohio State? Or will the Ducks use a blowout win over the Bruins to possibly springboard past Oklahoma to No. 1 in the BCS rankings? Those questions will be answered Thursday night on ESPN at Autzen Stadium (9 p.m. ET) when Oregon and UCLA collide in a college football betting showdown.
Newly-minted No. 1 Oregon looks to avoid the recent curse that’s affected the top team in the AP poll when it comes off a bye week to host UCLA on Thursday night at Autzen Stadium (9 p.m. ET, ESPN).
The Ducks (6-0 SU, 4-2 ATS) are the new top dog on the college football betting odds board, but that’s killed schools in the same position lately.
Alabama was No. 1 in the nation before falling to South Carolina in Week 6, and following the loss, Ohio State was anointed to the top spot.
What happened to the Buckeyes on Saturday? They fell at Wisconsin to open the door for Oregon.
Don’t expect the Ducks to suffer the same fate when they take on the Bruins (3-3 SU, 2-4 ATS) in Eugene on Thursday night under the brights lights of national television.
More importantly, count on Oregon having little trouble covering its 22-point fave tag when it hits the gridiron against UCLA, which is also coming off a bye week.
The Ducks lead the land in total offense (570.3 YPG) and scoring (54.3 PPG), are third in rushing (321.3 YPG), and have a pretty decent defense to boot. Oregon is allowing only 16.3 points per game, good for 16th in the country.
I’ll let you do the math, but that’s quite the scoring differential.
I just don’t see how UCLA keeps pace with Oregon, let alone stops it from putting up points. The Bruins can run the ball, ranking 13th in the nation in that department with 223.0 yards per game, but overall, they’re 99th in total offense (318.5 YPG), including 118th in passing (95.5 YPG).
On defense, UCLA is only 92nd against the run (182.3 YPG). It could get ugly in a hurry against Oregon, which is 3-0 ATS in its three games in Eugene this season.
A blowout is in the cards, especially with quarterback Darron Thomas (shoulder) looking like he’ll play on Thursday. Thomas left the Ducks’ 43-23 win at Washington State (+36½) in Week 6, but it didn’t matter with backup Nate Costa picking up the slack.
That’s what separates Oregon from the other national title contenders: It has two QBs that can run the offense effectively.
Thomas was 8-of-12 for 153 yards with a touchdown before getting hurt against the Cougars, and Costa was even more efficient in relief. Costa finished 13-of-15 for 151 yards with a score, and also posted 84 rushing yards on eight carries with a TD on the ground.
Of course, Chip Kelly’s offense is centered around Heisman Trophy hopeful LaMichael James, who should shred the Bruins’ porous run defense on Thursday. James had 136 yards rushing on 25 attempts with two touchdowns against Washington State in Week 6 to lead an Oregon ground game that put up 252 yards.
If that’s not enough ammunition, the Ducks could have change-of-pace running back Kenjon Barmer (head injury) against UCLA. Barmer returned to practice earlier this week.
Rick Neuheisel, on the other hand, won’t have a full lineup on Thursday. Top kick returner Josh Smith and starting fullback/tight end Morrell Presley have both been suspended for one game for a violation of team rules. Christian Ramirez or Anthony Barr should start in Presley’s place for the Bruins, who are also without cornerback Anthony Jefferson (broken left foot).
You don’t always like to take a look at common opponents, but it reveals a little something in this matchup. Oregon ripped Stanford 52-31 at home on October 2, while UCLA was drilled 35-0 by the same Cardinal at the Rose Bowl on September 11.
The Ducks, 8-2 against the NCAAF betting number in their last 10 games at Autzen Stadium, are 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS in their last nine meetings with the Bruins. Oregon won 24-10 in Los Angeles last October to cover as 3-point chalk, as they racked up 221 yards rushing in the payday.
