Oregon vs Utah College Football Betting Preview

The college football season is heating up as we head into Week 9. One of the biggest games of the slate will feature two of the top teams in the Pac-12 as the #8 Oregon Ducks hit the road to face the #13 Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET on Saturday. Oregon is coming off a 38-24 win at home against the Washington State Huskies after a loss in Week 7 to Washington. As for the Utes, they just beat Caleb Williams and the USC Trojans, one of their biggest victories of the season so far. But, taking down the Ducks would be even bigger. Below, we’ll dive into the history between the two programs and preview the game. 

Oregon has the edge

The Ducks are 24-12 all-time against Utah. They beat the Utes 20-17 last fall in Eugene. That being said, Utah has actually won three of the last five meetings and even bested Oregon in the 2021 Pac-12 championship. We’ll actually never see these two programs face off ever again with the Ducks heading to the Big Ten and Utah joining the Big 12. Hopefully, it’s a memorable one. 

Can the Ducks keep it rolling?

Oregon had its toughest test yet a couple of weeks ago as Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr went toe to toe in Seattle. Unfortunately, Penix Jr won the battle as the Huskies proved they could very well be the best team in the Pac-12. However, the Ducks responded in a very positive manner on Saturday, taking care of the Cougars at Autzen Stadium. Nix wasn’t too busy but stayed productive, completing 18 of 25 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns. 

The run game did most of the damage here with Bucky Irving and Jordan James both combining to rush for over 230 yards as they absolutely ripped apart the WSU defense. Out wide, Tez Johnson caught six passes from Nix for 94 yards. On both sides of the ball, this Oregon team is very good. They rank second in the nation in total yards, 10th in passing yards, and 14th in rushing yards. Defensively, the Ducks are only allowing 17 points per game. Dan Lanning’s group still has a chance at the College Football Playoff but another loss would surely end their national championship dreams. Oregon must bring their best on Saturday. The visitors are a -240 favorite at Bodog.

No Rising, no problem

Before the season began, there was massive uncertainty around QB1 Cam Rising after recovering from a knee injury. Well, it appears he never really recovered because Rising has yet to play and officially took a redshirt year recently. His absence hasn’t hurt the Utes though, with Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson filling in nicely. As of late, however, it’s been Barnes who is emerging as the clear No. 1 option.

Barnes balled out against USC on Saturday, completing 14 of 23 passes for 235 yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception, one of his best games to date. But, it was the RB room that starred, outrushing the Trojans 247-145. Ja’Quinden Jackson ran for over 100 yards on 26 carries while Sione Vaki rushed for 7.6 yards per carry. He also had five catches for 149 yards, proving to be a Swiss Army knife for Kyle Whittingham.

Although Utah is a slim underdog at virtually all football betting sites, they have a respectable track record against Oregon in recent memory. Plus, they’ve yet to lose at home in 2023. That’s a good sign.