Oregon 2018 Betting Preview: Ducks Have Too Much To Overcome

Oregon 2018 Betting Preview: Ducks Have Too Much To Overcome article feature image
Credit:

Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Justin Herbert

Oregon 2018 Betting Odds

  • To win the National Title: +11000
  • To make Playoff: +1400
  • To make NY6 Bowl: +375
  • To win the Pac-12: +925
  • To win the Pac-12 North: +500
  • Win Total: 8.5 (over -140, under +120)

Always shop for the best line.


Oregon 2018 Schedule, Betting Odds

The Action Network Projected Wins: 8.6

Bet To Watch

Oregon Under 8.5 (+120)

Oregon's 2017 campaign was really a tale of two seasons. The team looked great with quarterback Justin Herbert under center, going 6-2 (including a loss to Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl after coach Willie Taggart left for Florida State). When Herbert was out injured with a broken collarbone, the Ducks went 1-4.

Herbert backed up the winning record with great numbers, throwing 15 touchdowns against five picks and amassing almost 2,000 yards. He averaged 9.6 yards per attempt, which would have been fourth in the nation if he qualified.

Coach Mario Cristobal, who served as the Ducks' offensive coordinator in 2017, also beefed up the offensive line to protect Herbert for 2018. If you're betting Oregon futures, you're basically wagering on the health of Herbert.

Justin Herbert has a SCARY set of tools for a true frosh. Stay woke on @WinTheDay's QB.

He's our @USAFootball Fundamental Play of the Week! pic.twitter.com/j73FQ6ZSYB

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) October 26, 2016

Under Cristobal, I expect to see more of a power-run spread offense with a mix of pistol. Cristobal has adopted Taggart's offensive scheme, and with Jim Mastro taking over as running backs coach, the Ducks will also have a little Nevada Wolf Pack to their game, too. However, the biggest win for the Ducks this offseason was throwing money at defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt.

Oregon made strides in efficiency under Leavitt, finishing 26th. The Ducks also finished 19th overall in havoc last year, and I expect them to improve at preventing explosiveness this season.



One game that Oregon will have circled will be Washington's visit Oct. 13. Chris Petersen has dominated the Ducks over the past two seasons, but his team will be on back-to-back road games, while the Ducks are coming off a bye.

Still, I like the Ducks to go Under 8.5 wins (+110) because of a few other brutal scheduling spots. Oregon travels to Arizona, Utah, California and Washington State — with the latter two coming off bye weeks. The Ducks only play two games at home in their final six weeks, and any injury to Herbert would derail their offense.

What else you need to know about Oregon

Since 2007, the under is 12-4 when Oregon is a road underdog. This should apply at Arizona and Utah.

More College Football Betting Previews

Click here for team previews on all 130 FBS schools.

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