The Pac-12 has been quite the forgotten conference of late, but the No. 11 Oregon Ducks (+3500 to win the national title) can change the narrative a bit and restore some respect for their league if they can take down the No. 16 Auburn Tigers (+6600) right out of the gate. The Ducks have the experienced and a potential No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft in quarterback Justin Herbert, while the Tigers will be parading a very green Bo Nix. Who will get the marquee win?
Betting on the Oregon Ducks (0-0 Overall / 0-0 Conference)
The most important thing for the Ducks heading into the 2019 college football season has gone in the program’s favor as quarterback Justin Herbert decided to play his senior year in Eugene. Herbert is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in college this year. In 2018, Herbert commandeered the Ducks’ offense that ranked 30th with 32.6 points per game. He finished the season with 3,151 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Herbert could be in line for a bigger season — at least statistically — as, aside from experience, he’ll also be throwing from a pocket that’s protected by an elite offensive line which returns players with over 150 combined starts. That group includes all five starters. Even against a testy Auburn defense, Herbert should be able to shine with his talent, given the protection he’ll have.
The Ducks are 3-0 straight up (SU) and 2-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last three games.
Betting on the Auburn Tigers (0-0 Overall / 0-0 Conference)
Bo Nix is set to make school history, as he is about to become the first true freshman to start a season-opening for Auburn since 1946. Whether Nix can guide to a victory over Oregon is a completely another thing, though, success will definitely boost the youngster’s confidence. While the Tigers are yet to see what they have in Nix in this kind of setting, there will be extra pressure on Auburn’s offensive line to make the quarterback look good and have confidence. The Tigers’ offensive line will have the benefit of the five returning starters. Nix’s top two options downfield are Anthony Schwartz and Seth Williams, who inherits the roles of Ryan Davis and Darius Slayton — the team’s top two receivers in 2018. Oregon’s defense, particularly the secondary, is sort of questionable, so look for Nix to challenge it early. The Tigers’ defense remains as the team’s identity until proven otherwise. Last season, the Tigers surrendered just 20.0 points and 368.4 total yards per game.
