[ad_1]
Dan Lanning has been an overwhelming success in his first two seasons at the helm for the Oregon Ducks. Lanning’s recruiting has been top notch, talent development is through the roof, and roster construction has this team primed to be a huge player as they transition into the Big Ten.
The only real knock on Lanning up to this point is an inability to emerge victorious in must-win games, with a loss to Washington last year eliminating this program from postseason contention.
While Bo Nix, Troy Franklin, and other key pieces from last year’s team are now out the door, Lanning and company went to work building a balanced, explosive roster for the 2024 season. Led by Heisman candidate and Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel, the Ducks have a manageable schedule and real potential to finish the regular season with one or even zero losses.
Below is a look at each game on Oregon’s schedule, with score predictions and analysis:
Idaho Vandals – August 31
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Oregon 51, Idaho 10
No need for upset watch here as the Ducks should handle the Vandals quite easily to kick off the 2024 campaign.
Boise State Broncos – September 7
Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Oregon 36, Boise State 22
Boise State is perhaps the best G5 program in the country, but even so the Ducks have enough firepower on both sides of the ball to secure a relatively comfortable win here at Autzen Stadium.
At Oregon State Beavers – September 14
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Oregon 28, Oregon State 24
A rivalry on the road is never, ever an easy win, and the motivation on Oregon State’s side to win this one and stick it to their longtime rivals – whose decision to leave for the Big Ten effectively led to Oregon State being without a conference – is as high as it has ever been. Expect a close game, and a ton of fireworks, in Corvallis for this one.
At UCLA Bruins – September 28
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Oregon 37, UCLA 24
The Ducks get an early bye week before heading to UCLA to take on a familiar foe in a Big Ten battle. A well rested Oregon team should take care of business here against a UCLA team that most don’t have super high expectations for entering Big Ten play.
Michigan State Spartans – October 4
Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Prediction: Oregon 37, Michigan State 24
Perhaps no game on the schedule means more to Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith – a former quarterback and head coach at Oregon State – than this trip to Eugene to take on Oregon. Oregon is a legit national title contender though, and at home against a coach and a system the Ducks are familiar with it’s hard to imagine the Spartans pulling this one off.
Ohio State Buckeyes – October 12
Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Prediction: Oregon 35, Ohio State 34
What a world we live in where this battle between two teams who at worst seem likely to both be ranked inside the top five is a conference matchup. The Buckeyes need to make a trip to Eugene, and in an unfamiliar environment the Ducks have a slight edge here.
At Purdue Boilermakers – October 18
Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Oregon 28, Purdue 17
This one could end up being closer than anticipated, simply because Oregon is coming off a short week and having to make a significant trip to Indiana to take on Purdue. Still, the Ducks are the better team here and should secure another victory.
Illinois Fighting Illini – October 26
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Oregon 41, Illinois 24
A return home and a slightly longer break between games is enough for Dan Lanning and the Ducks to open up the offense at Autzen and secure an eighth straight victory – which should start to really garner some buzz as a true national title contender.
At Michigan Wolverines – November 2
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Michigan 27, Oregon 24
Oregon drew a very favorable schedule in its first Big Ten season, but a road bout against Michigan is a tough win for anyone to pick up – and even with a new coach and concerns at quarterback this Wolverines team is expected to be rolling by November. This should be an excellent game.
Maryland Terrapins – November 9
Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Oregon 35, Maryland 21
Oregon can’t let the first loss of the season cause a spiral, so expect a comfortable bounce back win at home against a Maryland team quite literally travelling all the way across the country for this contest.
At Wisconsin Badgers – November 16
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Wisconsin 28, Oregon 27
This will be Oregon’s third game in 14 days, second trip out to the midwest in November, and comes right before a long break and a highly anticipated matchup with rival Washington. Oregon has a better roster than Wisconsin, but the Badgers are a tough team under coach Luke Fickell and could pull off an upset here.
Washington Huskies – November 30
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Oregon 38, Washington 27
The Oregon-Washington rivalry is one of the best in college football, and it reached new heights last year when the Huskies pushed the Ducks out of CFP contention and themselves made it to the championship.
However, Kalen DeBoer is now at Alabama and while the Huskies are in good hands with Jedd Fisch, the Ducks should exact some revenge in this one.
[ad_2]
Source link
Fitnessnacks – #Oregon #Ducks #football #game #predictions #college #season
Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/oregon-ducks-football-predictions-big-ten/