Expectations are running high for Oregon in their debut season in the Big 10 Conference, ranking among the favorites to win the league. The new contender in town will go against the old guard, Ohio State, and Michigan, who have long dominated the odds for the Big Ten.
Despite recording three consecutive wins, Michigan isn’t among the top three favorites based on the Big 10 Championship odds and will be looking to bounce back when they start their campaign. Instead, newcomers Oregon Ducks are ranking among the top contenders alongside Georgia, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Texas.
Georgia, Ohio State, Texas, and the Ducks are considered the favorites based on college football championship odds recently analyzed by Sportytrader football experts. So, what are Oregon’s odds of making it to the Big 10 title game this season? Here’s a preview of the Ducks’ odds of winning the conference and what fans can expect from them.
Oregon’s Odds of Winning the Conference
While Oregon’s odds of winning the Big Ten in their debut season have significantly shifted throughout the summer, they are the most dangerous newcomers from the defunct Pac-12. The Ducks are a legit title contender this season at +850 odds at the moment, featuring one of the most talented teams in the country.
Jordan James runs against Stanford as part of Oregon’s balanced offensive attack. (Photo By: Nancy Paiva)
Head Coach Dan Lanning has been impressive in his first two campaigns with Oregon, recording a 22-5 record in his first 27 fixtures in Eugene. Lanning hit the summer transfer window hard, signing multiple talented players on both sides of his game, especially with the dynamic duo of safety Brandon Johnson and cornerback Jabbar Muhammed in the secondary.
Dillon Gabriel will step into the quarterback after joining the Ducks from Oklahoma, and will be a trendy choice to clinch the Heisman Trophy ceremony in December. Gabriel will have plenty of weapons at his disposal next season, both in the backfield and on the receiving corps. That creates one of the best offenses the league has to offer this season.
Compared to other teams ranking among the top in the National Championship odds, the Oregon Ducks have a favorable schedule as they’ve dodged the likes of Penn State, Iowa, USC, and Nebraska. They will also face Ohio State at home, meaning the most difficult away game for the Ducks this season is their fixture against Michigan while on the road on the 2nd of November. However, the Oregon Ducks might be favored to hold the fort by around a field goal.
Oregon has had epic games with Wisconsin before… (Photo by Eugene Johnson)
With their current schedule, there’s a clear path for the Ducks to reach the Big 10 conference championship. Even if the Ducks finish the season with only losses against Ohio State and Michigan, they can still comfortably cruise to the College Football Playoff. That said, you can expect their odds of reaching the title game to significantly drop by midseason so it’s worth backing the Ducks at the current price.
Who are Oregon’s Biggest Rivals?
While Oregon has managed to dodge the likes of Penn State, they are set to meet Michigan on the road. Michigan stands as a major rival for their title run, despite not ranking among the top four in pre-tournament odds this season. The new Head Coach Sherrone Moore beat Ohio State when he was the interim coach after Jim Harbaugh’s suspension, and will have plenty of talent to work with next season. That makes them a major threat to Oregon’s campaign as the Ducks will face them while on the road.
Of course an away game at Wisconsin in mid-November is not a-walk-in-the-park, hence that game might shake the odds up a bit. Your thoughts?
OregonReigns
Lakeside, Oregon
Top Photo by Kevin Cline
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