OREGON vs IOWA ST
When: 1/2/2021 4:00 PM
Where:

TV: 4:00 PM
LINE: -4.5
PREDICTION: IOWA ST , OREGON

Oddsmakers currently have the IOWA ST listed as -4.5 point favorites versus the OREGON, while the game’s total is sitting at 57.

In less than a week, Oregon went from understudy to center stage.

The Ducks got into the Pacific-12 Conference title game only because Washington had to drop out because of coronavirus concerns. Oregon made the most of the opportunity by defeating host USC 31-24 for the championship.

That gave the No. 25 Ducks (4-2) the Pac-12’s automatic berth to a New Year’s Six game. They’ll meet No. 10 Iowa State (8-3) in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2 in Glendale, Ariz.

“We fought this year,” said Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, who was named the MVP of the Pac-12 title game with five tackles and a sack. “So many trials and tribulations. So many things kept popping up. So many excuses we could have made, and we didn’t flinch. We stuck to the script and got it done.”

Oregon won its first three games before back-to-back losses to Oregon State and California. A matchup with Washington to determine the winner of the Pac-12 North was canceled, leaving the Ducks a half-game behind the Huskies and seemingly destined for a lower-tier bowl game.

That is, until a virus spike in Washington’s athletic department. The Huskies’ loss was the Ducks’ gain.

“We were itching to get back to our kind of football, and we did it (against USC),” Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. “(We) really just came out with an attitude, came out with a purpose and a mission.”

The Cyclones took a different path to their first January bowl game.

After losing their season opener to Louisiana, the Cyclones won seven of their next eight games before a 27-21 loss to Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship.

“From our standpoint, this has been a really special season for our program as we continue to grow over the last couple of years,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. “We’ve got a great senior class made up of 60 seniors that have really stayed the course in this program and really led us every step of the way.”

Iowa State has the nation’s leading rusher in Breece Hall, who totaled 1,436 yards and 19 touchdowns. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 2,594 yards and 18 touchdowns with nine interceptions.

“They’re an excellent, talented, well-coached football team that schematically runs more than a couple of things that are very different than what we’ve seen,” Cristobal said.

Ducks quarterback Tyler Shough threw for 1,480 yards and 13 touchdowns with five interceptions in six games. CJ Verdell, who was Oregon’s rushing leader in the regular season, missed the Pac-12 finale with a knee injury but could be back for the bowl game.

“When you say Oregon football, you have an immediate respect for who they are and what they’re about,” Campbell said.

It will be a homecoming for the quarterbacks, who both starred at Arizona high schools. Purdy played at Perry High in Gilbert and Shough at Hamilton High in neighboring Chandler. They met twice in high school, with Perry, led by Purdy, prevailing 65-63 and 63-60.

“Certainly a competitive situation at the high school level and now they get to do it at the collegiate level,” Cristobal said.

The Ducks will be making their third appearance in the Fiesta Bowl after beating Colorado in 2002 and Kansas State in 2013.

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PORTLAND ST vs OREGON
When: 11:00 PM  ET, Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Where: Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, Oregon

TV: 11:00 PM
LINE: -20
PREDICTION: OREGON , PORTLAND ST

Oddsmakers currently have the OREGON listed as -20 point favorites versus the PORTLAND ST, while the game’s total is sitting at 156.5.

Oregon freshman Bol Bol’s dynamic offensive game is highlighted by a surprisingly strong perimeter shot, but coach Dana Altman is quick to remind everyone that his 7-foot-2 phenom is far from a finished product. Bol makes his collegiate debut Tuesday when the 16th-ranked Ducks host Portland State, which was picked to finish fifth in the Big Sky preseason coaches poll.

After settling for an NIT bid last season, the Ducks are setting their sights higher with a mix of youth and veterans such as junior point guard Payton Pritchard, who led the team in scoring (14.5 points per game) and assists (4.8) last season. The Ducks were picked to finish first in the Pac-12 preseason poll and boast two of the best shot blockers in the country in Bol and 6-foot-9 sophomore Kenny Wooten, who led the conference with 2.6 blocks per game last season. Bol figures to be a centerpiece of the Oregon offense, but there have been questions about his inconsistent play in the past. “We said from the start he’s a unique player, unique talent,” Altman told reporters. “There’s a lot more there. He coasts a lot. But he’s getting better. He’s working at it. He’s going to be a work in progress all year but there’s a lot more that he can do.”

TV: 11 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network

ABOUT PORTLAND STATE (2017-18: 20-14): The Vikings’ impressive backcourt features seniors Michael Mayhew, Deante Strickland and Holland Woods, who was named Big Sky freshman of the year after averaging 10.5 points and 5.6 assists last season. Strickland and Woods scored 18 points apiece in last Friday’s 119-89 exhibition win over Multnomah. Second-year coach Barret Peery said his team’s up-tempo approach will be similar to last year, when the Vikings finished third in the nation in scoring (85.2 points per game) and second in steals (9.8) and turnovers forced (18.1).

ABOUT OREGON (2017-18: 23-13): Bol had 19 points and freshman forward Francis Okoro added 16 points and 10 rebounds off the bench to lead five players in double-figures in last Thursday’s 77-58 exhibition win over Western Oregon. The Ducks’ backcourt received a boost with the addition of graduate transfer Ehab Amin, who led the NCAA with 3.4 steals per game in 2016-17 for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi before sitting out last season due to injury. Altman doesn’t expect to settle on a starting lineup until December, but senior wing Paul White (9.4 points last season) figures to be a key part of the team’s imposing frontline.

TIP-INS

1. Oregon has won 20 straight home openers – including last season’s 70-54 victory over Coppin State.

2. Portland State beat two Pac-12 schools (Stanford and California) in the same season for the first time in school history last year.

3. Pritchard sat out last Thursday’s exhibition game due to bruised ribs but is expected to be available for the opener.

PREDICTION: Oregon 97, Portland State 76

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OREGON vs WASHINGTON ST
When: 7:30 PM ET, Saturday, October 20, 2018
Where: Martin Stadium, Pullman, Washington

TV: 7:30 PM
LINE: -3
PREDICTION: WASHINGTON ST , OREGON

Oddsmakers currently have the WASHINGTON ST listed as -3 point favorites versus the OREGON, while the game’s total is sitting at 69.

The two highest-scoring teams in the Pac-12 will go head-to-head Saturday afternoon when No. 23 Washington State hosts No. 11 Oregon. The Cougars average 41.8 points per game and Oregon averages 43, while also earning the distinction of being one of three teams in the nation that has scored at least 30 points in every game this season.

Both teams are led by top quarterbacks who have been able to move the ball with ease this season. Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew II threw for 430 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in a 56-37 win at Oregon State on Oct. 6, giving the graduate transfer from East Carolina 300 passing yards in every game this season – upping his nation-leading average to 403.7 yards per contest. Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert has also thrown five touchdown passes in a game this year, and owns at least one passing touchdown in 21 consecutive games – the second-longest active streak in the country. Herbert is supported by a more productive run game led by freshman running back CJ Verdell, who has three consecutive 100-yard efforts coming into this matchup.

TV: 7:30 p.m., FOX. LINE: Washington State -3

ABOUT OREGON (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12): Dillon Mitchell missed the 33-10 loss to Washington State last season because of injury and didn’t catch a pass against the Cougars as a freshman, but the junior wide receiver should be a difference maker in this contest. He has three consecutive 100-yard receiving performances coming into this game, and his 154.3 receiving yards per game in Pac-12 play is the highest average in any conference this season. The Ducks also have a dependable tight end in Jacob Breeland and two other skilled sophomore receivers in Johnny Johnson III and Jaylon Redd.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (5-1, 2-1): The Cougars have had an extra week to rest and prepare for this matchup and that should give sixth-year linebacker Peyton Pelluer an edge when it comes to reading Oregon’s plays. The game against the Ducks will be the 48th for Pelluer at Washington State, three shy of the program record. Pelluer has reached double digits in tackles the past three games and his next tackle will give him 303, moving him into the top 10 career list for the Cougars.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Ducks are the least penalized team in the Pac-12 with 32.

2. The Cougars have won three straight in the series after Oregon had won eight in a row.

3. Washington State has 12 rushing touchdowns this season after totaling eight in 2017-18.

PREDICTION: Oregon 38, Washington State 35

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SAN JOSE ST vs OREGON
When: 5:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 15, 2018
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon

TV: 5:00 PM
LINE: -41
PREDICTION: OREGON , SAN JOSE ST

Oddsmakers currently have the OREGON listed as -41 point favorites versus the SAN JOSE ST, while the game’s total is sitting at 68.

Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert has seen limited action in the team’s first two lopsided wins and figures to have another short night Saturday when the 23rd-ranked Ducks host San Jose State. Herbert has tossed nine touchdown passes for Oregon, which ranks fourth nationally in scoring at 60 points per game after rolling to victories over Bowling Green (58-24) and FCS-member Portland State (62-14).

A Heisman Trophy candidate who has thrown a touchdown pass in 17 consecutive games, Herbert played just nine drives in last Saturday’s win over Portland State, completing 20 of his 26 passes for 250 yards and four scores. A total of 11 different Ducks have rushed for or caught a touchdown – including sophomore wideout Jaylon Redd, who is tied for the Pac-12 lead with three touchdown receptions. Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said his team won’t be guilty of overconfidence against San Jose State, which opened with a demoralizing 44-38 loss to UC Davis before falling 31-0 at Washington State. “The approach we have is, stay humble, stay hungry, attack every single opportunity that we have created ourselves,” he told reporters. “We have created great opportunities for ourselves because of the way we are playing.”

TV: 5 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: Oregon -41.5

ABOUT SAN JOSE STATE (0-2): Sophomore quarterback Montel Aaron competed 13-of-25 passes for 94 yards against Washington State, but the Spartans were held to 109 total yards and fell to 45-153 all-time against Pac-12 opponents. Linebackers Kyle Harmon and Jesse Osuna and cornerback Nehemiah Shelton each recorded interceptions for the Spartans, who were picked to finish last in the West Division of the Mountain West preseason poll and rank 124th nationally in team defense. Bryce Crawford punted 11 times for a 43.7 yard average last week and also serves as the team’s placekicker.

ABOUT OREGON (2-0): Tony Brooks-James ran for 107 yards and two scores while freshman CJ Verdell ran for 106 yards and another touchdown in last Saturday’s win over Portland State, which allowed 562 yards while gaining 224. Oregon, which begins conference play at home against Stanford next week, has committed a total of eight penalties for 90 yards in two games and enters Saturday’s contest with no major injuries. Senior Jalen Jelks leads the defense in tackles with 15, two more than fellow linebackers Troy Dye and Kaulana Apelu.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The teams are meeting for the first time since 1998, with Oregon holding a 12-6 lead in the series.

2. Oregon offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo played quarterback at San Jose State from 1998-2002.

3. The Ducks have won 22 consecutive home non-conference games dating back to 2008.

PREDICTION: Oregon 56, San Jose State 10

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BOWLING GREEN vs OREGON
When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 1, 2018
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon

TV: 8:00 PM
LINE: -31.5
PREDICTION: OREGON , BOWLING GREEN

Oddsmakers currently have the OREGON listed as -31.5 point favorites versus the BOWLING GREEN, while the game’s total is sitting at 73.5.

For a program entering the season with its third head coach in the last three years, Oregon boasts a surprising amount of stability. The Ducks begin the Mario Cristobal era on Saturday against visiting Bowling Green eager to show why many experts believe they could contend for the Pac-12 title.

Oregon was picked to finish third in the Pac-12 North but could surprise with an explosive offense led by quarterback Justin Herbert and running back Tony Brooks-James. “With coach Cristobal behind the wheel, it’s full speed, right down your throat, take your blank-blank-blank,” Brooks-James told reporters. “There ain’t no, ‘It’s a first-year coach, we’re just trying to fill things out.’ We’re going for everything.” Oregon has averaged 41.2 points over Herbert’s 15 career starts, and the 6-foot-6, 233-pound junior begins the season as a Heisman Trophy candidate after completing 67.5 percent of his passes last year. Oregon has won 13 straight home openers and are heavy favorites versus Bowling Green, which was picked to finish fifth in the East Division in the Mid-American Conference preseason media poll.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: Oregon -31.5

ABOUT BOWLING GREEN (2-10 in 2017): The Falcons have the firepower to keep pace early with Oregon but will need to take care of the football after committing 25 turnovers last season. Sophomore quarterback Jarret Doege returns after completing 63.8 percent of his passes for 12 touchdowns against three interceptions last season, while Andrew Clair will be the starting tailback after averaging 6.8 yards per carry as a freshman. The Falcons replaced their entire defensive coaching staff after allowing 506.6 yards per game last season and could easily be overwhelmed by Oregon’s high-powered attack.

ABOUT OREGON (7-6 in 2017): The Ducks again have plenty of speed at the skill positions with Brooks-James expected to carry a heavy workload and wide receivers Dillon Mitchell and Tabari Hines primed to build on last season’s strong finish, when they combined for 544 receiving yards and eight touchdowns over the final three games. The defense showed dramatic improvement last year under new coordinator Jim Leavitt and should continue to thrive with inside linebacker Troy Dye leading the way. The junior is Oregon’s active leader in tackles (198) and tackles for loss (26.5), while ranking second in sacks (10.5).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Oregon has won 20 consecutive home non-conference games dating back to 2008.

2. Bowling Green is seeking its first season-opening victory since defeating Tulsa in 2013.

3. Oregon went 6-2 and averaged 49.1 points with Herbert in the starting lineup last season.

PREDICTION: Oregon 51, Bowling Green 17

The post BOWLING GREEN vs. OREGON 9/1/2018 Free Pick & CFB Betting Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

Running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a Sugar Bowl-record 230 yards – including a dynamic 85-yard scoring run – and his 1,632 rushing yards rank fourth in Buckeyes’ history behind Eddie George (1,927 in 1995), Keith Byars (1,764, 1984) and Archie Griffin (1,695, 1974). Big play receiver Devin Smith caught his 30th career touchdown pass in the Sugar Bowl – a 47-yard catch – and is averaging 27.7 yards per reception this season while scoring 12 TDs on 32 catches. The defensive standouts include weak-side linebacker Joshua Perry (team-leading 118 tackles), safety Vonn Bell (86 tackles, team-best six interceptions), defensive end Joey Bosa (team-high 13.5 sacks), strong-side linebacker Darron Lee (7.5 sacks) and cornerback Doran Grant (five interceptions).

Mariota guided the attack to Rose Bowl records for points and yardage (639) while accounting for three scores (two passing, one rushing), passing for 338 and rushing for 62 more. The Ducks have two fine backfield options in Royce Freeman (1,343 yards, 18 touchdowns) and Thomas Tyner (511 yards, five touchdowns) while receiver Darren Carrington (37 catches, 704 yards) is emerging as a star after having seven receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns in the Rose Bowl. Defensively, free safety Erick Dargan leads the team with 90 tackles and seven interceptions and had one pick and one forced fumble in the Rose Bowl while outside linebacker Tony Washington (six sacks) was part of one of the memorable plays in the Rose Bowl when Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston lost a fumble and Washington returned it 58 yards for a touchdown.

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