ScoopDuck Predictions: Oregon vs Ohio State
We are approaching a very early Saturday kickoff for Oregon and Ohio State. The Ducks will not only have to make the trek back East to Colmbus, they’ll have to be bright-eyed and bushy tailed by 9 AM PST. (Noon kickoff)
Following week one, both Oregon and Ohio State fans are not supremely confident. Both teams showed holes in their teams that make it a winnable game for either side.
This game could come down to turnovers, penalties or that one lucky bounce that leads to a big play or touchdown.
Here’s our predictions on the outcome of the Oregon-Ohio State matchup on Saturday.
Corpatty: Ohio State 42, Oregon 20
I expect this game to go a lot like the National championship game (hence the score). I think Oregon hangs around for awhile, but eventually Ohio St’s superior talent and a packed Shoe help the Buckeyes pull away and cruise to a comfortable victory.
You can make a strong argument that Ohio St has the advantage at every position group except LB. In fact, I don’t think Oregon has an offensive lineman who would be starting at Ohio St. I think as the game wears on that talent gap and the raucous home crowd will be too much for Oregon to overcome and I think the Buckeyes cover the spread.
Jarrid Denney: Ohio State 35, Oregon 28
Call me crazy, but I think Oregon will keep this one close until the end. At the very least, the Ducks will cover the 14-point spread. Oregon will obviously need to be much, much better than it was against Fresno State, and it probably needs a healthy Kayvon Thibodeaux in order to have any shot.
The return of Jamal Hill and DJ James in the secondary should help shore up some of the coverage issues that plagued the Ducks last weekend.
Anthony Brown will need to have a dynamic performance, and the offensive line will have to step up.
But the Ducks have the talent required to hang with the Buckeyes. We will find out Saturday if they are able to execute.
Joel Gunderson: Ohio State 47, Oregon 30
I feel like the script for this game has been written for a while. Ohio State will start slow; they will pull away in the third quarter; Oregon will do just enough to keep fans intrigued; but in the end, the talent disparity will be too much to overcome.
Also, Gus Johnson will spend the entire game drooling over Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, reminding us constantly that tOSU runs the show at Fox.
Justin Hopkins: Ohio State 41, Oregon 34
I’m not going to lie, I just don’t have any real confidence picking Oregon here. Even before the first game was played, I penciled this in as a loss for Oregon. At home, I might have a different opinion on the matter.
The good news to me is, Ohio State is beatable. 100-percent a winnable game for the Ducks. But Oregon will have to play pretty well and likely will need a bounce or two its direction.
I think this can be the catalyst for a turning point for Oregon this young season. If they can play Ohio State close, this team can move forward and still win the Pac-12 and get back into the top 10.
