Prediction and Pick for Oregon vs. Ohio State – College Football (September 11, 2021)

One of the five premier non-conference matchups of the entire season will take place in Columbus this weekend.

Many wanted this matchup last year in Eugene, but the Horseshow will provide a great atmosphere. The Pac-12 and Big Ten have been much-maligned over the years.

The Pac-12 has appeared in two out of the seven College Football Playoffs thus far. The inaugural CFP title game was between Oregon and Ohio State. Urban Meyer’s Buckeyes dominated the title game once the fourth quarter began.

The line of scrimmage will play a role in this one as well. Ryan Day has handled lofty expectations with Ohio State. Oregon’s Mario Cristobal heads into the season with the most hype he has seen entering year four.

Let’s break this matchup in Columbus down even further in my Oregon vs. Ohio State prediction and pick for week two.

Ohio State predictably enters week two as a big favorite. Most college football betting sites have them as two touchdown favorites.

The Pac-12 and Big Ten have had a great history in the Rose Bowl, but the non-conference tilts are enjoyable to watch.

The Ducks have not fared well as road underdogs. They are 2-3 against the spread and 2-3 straight up by at least ten points.

Ohio State is much better at laying the points as a home team. In games played in Columbus with a spread between 14-15 points, Ohio State is 4-1.

The Buckeyes have been the third or fourth-best program for a while now, and they will have their eyes on the College Football Playoff if they get by this matchup.

It is time to dissect this matchup between Oregon and Ohio State. Here is how each team can win this non-conference showdown.

Speed kills, and the Ducks have plenty of it. The wide receivers and running backs can play with anybody in the country.

CJ Verdell and Travis Dye are capable backs that don’t need a crease to go the distance. Quarterback Anthony Brown scampered one to the house last week that ended up as the game-winning score.

Mycah Pittman and Johnny Johnson are two studs that will wreak havoc on the Ohio State secondary if they get open. Both can torch defensive backs, and their speed is challenging to defend.

Oregon might have their best defensive player on hand for this one, too.

Even if Kayvon Thibodeaux doesn’t get the clearance to play, there are enough pieces to find success.

Noah Sewell, Justin Flowe, Mase Funa, and Mykael Wright can dominate their units. 

CJ Stroud struggled out of the gates last weekend, and Oregon will find a way to win this game if Ohio State has a similar start.

Playing at home, Ohio State protects their turf as well as any program in the country. Ohio State has won 30 of its last 31 games dating back to the 2016 season.

Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma were the last ones to stun the Buckeyes, and nothing can stop the program at home. Talent always wins at the end of the day, and Ryan Day has brought in plenty of stars.

Oregon’s secondary could have been one of the better units in the country if their players had not opted out. Experience won’t be too much of an issue for them, but the talent level could be.

Doubling up the wideouts isn’t an option since defenses need to account for the other weapons and the ground game. Ohio State’s balance has always made them an uphill battle to defend. Miyan Williams, Treveyon Henderson, and Master Teague are a dynamic trio of backs.

Williams drew the start last week against Minnesota and took one to paydirt for 71-yards to open the scoring up. He eclipsed 100 yards on nine carries, and the depth behind him will be the difference for the Buckeyes.

They don’t need to play spectacular on defense because they have been able to outscore any team in the regular season for several years. More of the same is likely to happen at the Horseshoe.

The Buckeyes are going to win this game due to their consistent offensive production.

Anthony Brown struggled miserably at times last week against Fresno State. The inability to move the chains on timely downs will prove costly.

While the Buckeyes don’t have an elite defense, it is good enough to allow the offense to keep up its torrid pace.

Oregon is getting plenty of points in this one, but the confidence is low for the Ducks in this spot. The noon eastern kickoff is at nine a.m. on the West coast in Eugene.

Ohio State will score every which way in this one. The Ducks will be asking Brown to be consistent as a pocket passer, which is a recipe for disaster.

The Ducks looked awful against Fresno State, and while they may not have used the entire playbook, they nearly gagged that game away.

The pick is in favor of the Buckeyes. Points will be flowing in this, but it will be the Buckeyes that end up covering the spread.