Oregon vs Colorado Odds, Picks and Predictions: Ducks Eye Eighth Straight Win

Year 1 has been a marvelous success thus far for Dan Lanning in Eugene. Oregon (7-1) finds itself ranked No. 8 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings ,won seven straight games after the season-opening loss to Georgia.

Is a Rose Bowl possible in 2022 — or should the Ducks be aiming even higher? It’s one (webbed) foot at a time, as Week 10’s matchup comes on the road against a struggling Colorado Buffaloes (1-7) team at Folsom Field.

The Ducks are heavy favorites to keep the winning streak alive. I give you my best bet in our college football picks and predictions for Oregon vs. Colorado below. 

Oregon vs Colorado best odds

Oregon vs Colorado picks and predictions

After a season-opening loss against Georgia in front of a nationally-televised audience, the Oregon Ducks have been one of the most impressive teams in the country.

Dan Lanning looks like an immediate success in Eugene, while offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham has become a hot topic in the coaching market as a candidate to earn a significant pay raise, be it with Oregon or as a head coach elsewhere. 

The offense has been superb under Dillingham’s guide, averaging 42.4 points per game and an absurd 525.8 total yards of offense. Auburn transfer Bo Nix has found new life in the Pacific Northwest, completing 72.3% of his passes for 2,225 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding another 411 yards and 11 scores on the ground.

The Ducks are 6-1 ATS since the Georgia game, flexing on their opponents in dominant fashion. They’ll get another chance to show off Saturday against a Colorado Buffaloes team that has been among that nation’s worst in many categories. 

The Buffs parted ways with coach Karl Dorrell after an 0-5 start. He had just an 8-15 record across two and a half years with the program and it was evident things were not headed in the right direction. Offensive coordinator Mike Sanford was named the interim coach and rallied the troops for a victory over California in his first game, but have since dropped two straight.

Colorado is allowing 39.1 points per game and has given up at least 42 points to every Pac-12 team they have faced other than the Golden Bears. The Ducks have the best offense in the conference and are operating at the full peak of their powers. 

This should be a cakewalk for Oregon, who is the far superior team in every phase of the game. A home game against Washington next week isn’t the look-ahead spot many assumed it would be earlier in the year, as the Huskies have faltered of late.

I expect Oregon to score at will and get a large early lead in this game as one of the nation’s best offenses against one of the nation’s worst defenses. 

My best bet: Oregon first half -17.5 (-110 at FanDuel)

Oregon vs Colorado spread analysis

The spread currently sits at -31.5 in favor of Oregon across all books. 

It’s no mystery why the Ducks are heavy favorites. Oregon is 4-0 ATS in its last four conference games but has struggled on the road with a 2-5 ATS mark in its last seven away games. The Ducks have found success in this matchup, going 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings between these two schools. 

As for the Buffaloes, they’re a team that typically plays better in their home confines of Folsom Field. The trends support this, as they are 5-2 ATS in their last seven home games.

The downside? This is a significant step up in competition, and they’ve struggled when that’s been the case, going 1-4 ATS in their last five games against a team with a winning record. Even worse? Colorado is 1-8 ATS in its last nine home games against a team with a winning road record. 

This is the largest spread that either team has seen this season. Oregon is 4-0 ATS as a double-digit favorite this season. The only other time they’ve been favored by more than 20 points came in a 70-7 blowout win over Eastern Washington back in Week 2. Colorado, meanwhile, is 2-6 ATS this season while being a double-digit underdog in every game. 

Oregon vs Colorado Over/Under analysis

After opening at 60.5, the total has moved to either 62.5 or 63 depending on the book. Both teams have a profitable 6-2 record to the Over this season.

Oregon has been able to move the ball at will this season. The Ducks rank first in both rushing success rate and passing success rate, showcasing a phenomenally well-balanced offense that can beat you either through the air or on the ground.

It all starts up front, where the Ducks’ veteran offensive line ranks first in line yards. Nix keeps defenses honest with both his arm and his legs, showcased by his 31 total touchdowns. Running backs Mar’Keise Irving and Noah Whittington likely aren’t household names, but both are averaging a robust 6.4 yards per attempt. 

The Ducks will move the ball at will against a Colorado defense that ranks 129th in expected points added (EPA) per play, 127th in success rate, and 117th in explosiveness.

The Buffaloes have been gashed both on the ground (5.9 yards per carry) and through the air, where they allowed Arizona State to compile 435 passing yards and three scores a week ago. Per PFF, the Buffs rank 131st in rushing defense, tackling, and coverage — dead last in all three categories. 

Oregon is nothing special defensively and it’s possible that Colorado finds its way into the end zone a few times here in front of its home crowd. While it’s difficult to trust a Buffs offense that ranks 125th in EPA and 118th in success rate while scoring just 16.2 points per game, they’ll only need a few scores against a leaky Ducks defense to bring the Over home.

Oregon vs Colorado betting trend to know

The Ducks are 4-0 ATS in their last four conference games. Find more NCAA betting trends for Oregon vs. Colorado.

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