At this point in the season, every single game puts the Oregon Ducks’ College Playoff hopes on the line. This week they will be tested significantly when they visit the Utah Utes on Saturday. Can the Ducks take their fifth-straight win? Or will the Utes spoil Oregon’s party? Read on as we break down this pivotal Pac-12 showdown.
For more college football action, check out our picks for the best games to watch in Week 11 of the college football season. A big game is also looming in the SEC as the Texas A&M Aggies take on the Auburn Tigers. Read our complete preview for that game here.
The Oregon Ducks, the nation’s best offense (4,804 total yards in nine games) displayed their dominance on the ground and through the air en route to 525 total yards in their 45-16 rout of the Stanford Cardinal last weekend. The Ducks are now 4-2 ATS against Pac-12 teams this season.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Quarterback Marcus Mariota threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 85 yards for two more scores. Meanwhile, sophomore running back Thomas Tyner returned from injury and ran for 63 yards and two scores on 10 carries. Freshman running back Royce Freeman led the team in rushing with 98 yards on 19 carries, giving the team no shortage in talent for the running game.
What makes Oregon’s offensive display more impressive was the quality of their opponent’s defense. The Cardinal had allowed just 250.6 total yards per game prior to the 525 yards allowed against the Ducks. Mariota now takes on a more manageable defense in the Utah Utes. The Utes have allowed 385 yards per game this season and surrendered 444 against Arizona State on Saturday.
Despite their excellent offensive performance, Oregon’s defense allowed 428 yards, including 132 rushing yards, to a struggling Stanford attacking unit. The Oregon front seven may struggle to contain Utah’s running attack, which has averaged 198.13 yards per game this season (third in the Pac-12). The Ducks have allowed 167.44 rushing yards per game (10th in the Pac-12).
The Ducks are 4-1 in their last five games against Utah.
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Betting on the Utah Utes
The Utah Utes are coming off a gritty 19-16 overtime loss to Arizona State on Saturday. They return home to welcome the Oregon Ducks, their third-straight ranked opponents. The Utes are 3-1 in home games this season.
The Utes almost completely abandoned the passing game against Arizona State, as quarterback Travis Wilson went 12 for 22 for 57 yards and a touchdown to running back Devontae Booker. The offense mostly relied on Booker to move them across the field. The junior running back finished with 146 yards on 37 carries.
Booker should be prepared for another big game as he takes on Oregon’s porous front seven. Meanwhile, Wilson may have an upswing in his performance when he takes on Oregon’s pass defense, which has allowed 291.1 yards per game this season. Expect a well-rounded offensive onslaught by Utah as they look to exploit Oregon’s many defensive holes in their biggest game this year.
Defensively, the Utes have a secondary capable of giving Oregon quarterback Mariota headaches. They are ranked second in the Pac-12 with 10 interceptions. Defensive backs Tevin Carter and Eric Rowe each have a pick-six this season. Meanwhile, linebacker Gionni Paul leads the team with four interceptions this season (second in the Pac-12). Mariota has thrown an interception in each of his last two games.
The Utes are 4-1 ATS in their last five games as eight-point underdogs or more.
