Saturday’s Oregon-Ohio State matchup still has the feel of a heavyweight fight, even if injuries have taken some of the shine off what looked like one of the season’s marquee games. Both teams are in the Top 25, both are walking into Columbus with plenty on the line, and the loser could be knocked out of the College Football Playoff picture.
The oddsmakers are leaning toward the Buckeyes at home. As of Saturday morning, Ohio State is a 7.5-point favorite (-112), with Oregon at +7.5 (-108), according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Ducks are +230 to win outright, while Ohio State sits at -285 on the moneyline. The total is 45.5 points, with the Over at -105 and the Under at -115.
All odds and lines are subject to change.
Weather could also play a role in Columbus. Kickoff conditions are expected to be cold, with temperatures peaking around 49 degrees and staying there for much of the afternoon. Wind may reach 10 MPH, and there’s a 10% chance of rain.
The injury picture is a major part of the story. Oregon will be without starting running back Jordon Davison, who is out with a lower body injury after missing the second half against Northwestern. The Ducks do get a boost at receiver, though, with Jeremiah McClellan set to return for the first time since Week 2 after recovering from a broken foot.
Ohio State has some encouraging news of its own. Starting defensive back Jay Timmons appears likely to be back, which would be a significant lift for the defense.
Offensive tackle Ian Moore has come off the injury report and looks set to play. At the same time, the Buckeyes may still be shorthanded at receiver, with Brock Boyd and Brandon Inniss both listed as doubtful, along with linebacker Eli Lee.
The game will be on CBS, with Brad Nessler handling play-by-play, Charles Davis as analyst, and Jenny Taft reporting from the sideline.
On the field, this shapes up as a backup-quarterback battle, and the source of confidence leans toward Oregon because of Dylan Raiola’s experience. Oregon has already built its offense around what Raiola does well, while Ohio State is still working through life without Julian Sayin. That said, this looks like the kind of game where points may be hard to come by.
Both defenses bring elite talent, and both offensive lines have questions, which should create pressure on nearly every snap. If Raiola plays the way he did last week, Oregon has a path to taking control. But with both defenses capable of making life miserable for the quarterbacks, this one has the makings of a grind.
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Oregons 98-71 win over Eastern Washington did more than keep the Ducks unbeaten to start the season. It gave the coaching staff a chance to sort through combinations, spread minutes around and see which groups can actually hold up once the schedule gets more demanding. With the Ducks already at 2-0, the early games have become a useful laboratory as they adjust to life without star guard Tyrone Riley IV.
Several players took advantage of the opportunity, including Wei Lin, Tajh Ariza and Pharoah Compton, each making a noticeable impact in the blowout. Those kinds of contributions matter now because Oregon is trying to narrow its rotation and settle on a reliable core before the competition stiffens, and the next stretch should tell the Ducks a lot more about which lineups are ready for real pressure. [Read more 🡒]