Our Ohio State vs. Oregon prediction gives you insight into which way to bet the biggest clash of the young season. Will the Ohio State Buckeyes prove their prowess atop the Big Ten?
Or will the hosting Oregon Ducks certify themselves as Big Ten contenders in their own right?
Ohio State vs. Oregon Betting Preview
All Ohio State vs. Oregon odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. The CFN spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Oregon -2 - Spread
Ohio State -3 - Moneyline
Ohio State -155, Oregon +130 - Over/Under
54 points - Game Time
Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m. ET - Location
Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Ore. - Predicted Weather at Kick
73 degrees, sunny, three mph winds - How To Watch
NBC
Though the Vegas line has moved in the direction of College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter, the two lines are still five points apart. The Vegas line opened with the Buckeyes as 4.5-point favorites and that’s dropped to three points.
MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator
The Football Playoff Meter has Oregon as two-point favorites. The three-point line is an extremely important number, so it would be surprising to see it drop below that ahead of Saturday’s game.
Prediction for Ohio State vs. Oregon
Oregon seems to have lost the sharp efficiency it showcased last season. Whether it’s the transition from Bo Nix to Dillon Gabriel, an adjustment period for the offense, or something else entirely, the drop-off is clear.
Last year’s Oregon team wasn’t particularly explosive, but they led the nation in success rate, steadily moving the ball downfield. This season, that consistency hasn’t quite been there, and the Ducks’ struggles to blow out teams they should handle easily are largely tied to Gabriel’s red zone struggles, more than any inability to hit those short, methodical passes.
Ohio State, meanwhile, hasn’t really been tested yet. On paper, both their offense and defense look elite, but I’m curious to see if the defense can hold up when it’s forced to make stops in a tight game.
FREE: Sign up for the College Football Network Newsletter to receive unique stories from the world of college football directly to your inbox!
Dan Lanning couldn’t take down Washington in two tries last season, largely due to some failed fourth-down gambles. I hope he sticks with his aggressive coaching style in big games, because that’s what will give Oregon an edge.
Statistically, Oregon won’t go 0-for-3 on fourth downs in every close game. If they can keep drives alive, it’ll put a lot of pressure on Will Howard and Ohio State’s offense to respond.
While Howard’s mobility is a factor, Ohio State’s offense thrives on big plays from their playmakers. Howard has a tendency to make a couple of bad throws each game, and I trust Lanning to capitalize on those mistakes.
Call me an FPM believer, but I think the Ducks take this one at home
Prediction: Oregon 30, Ohio State 28
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.