IceBoxGopher
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Predictions out for the first game against the Ducks since the Sun Bowl!
Pro Football Network picks Oregon, 35-13
Minnesota is building towards the future, but head coach P.J. Fleck hopes his team shows more fight than the last two teams that resembled the Ducks. Oregon has the talent of Ohio State, which beat the Gophers 42-3. The Ducks also can play a similar style to Iowa, a team the Gophers fell to 41-3.
Those games made it clear that this team is building towards the future, but that doesn’t mean they can’t keep things close. Plenty of pressure lies on Drake Lindsey’s shoulders, and the Gophers quarterback needs to find his consistency for the future to be bright.
Oregon is dealing with multiple injuries to key players, and the timetables for those players remain uncertain. Still, the Ducks found a way to battle through adversity last week, and it’s clear they have plenty of talent on the depth chart to keep winning. Dante Moore and Dakorien Moore’s statuses are the big ones to watch.
So who wins this game? Oregon’s the better, more talented team, and the betting line keeps moving more in their favor. The Gophers can keep this interesting, but it feels like a matter of when Oregon pulls away.
Big Al’s Sports Picks backs Oregon, 42-10
Oregon has looked really good in their games this season with their 8-1 record overall and their 5-1 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big Ten. They are off a ranked road win over Iowa 18-16 and that win is going to give them some momentum going forward. Meanwhile, Minnesota has looked good in their games this season with their 6-3 record overall and their 4-2 conference record which has them right in the middle of the Big Ten.
They are coming out of their bye week after beating Michigan State 23-20, but they struggled to win that game as they did need OT and they have been in some scraps this year with some of the bad teams in their conference. They have also looked a lot better in their home games this year, but they are 0-3 in their road games and Oregon is one of the toughest places to play in the Big Ten.
Oregon is currently ranked inside the top 10 and still looking to secure their spot in the playoffs. They haven't looked great in their last 2 games with some closer wins, but they will have a ton of momentum off that big road win over Iowa and Oregon has looked a lot better in their home games this season too.
Gophers on SI have Oregon winning, 31-3
I have seen nothing from Minnesota that makes me think that it can be competitive in this game, but I have been wrong before. Oregon can beat you in the trenches, it can out-athlete you on the outside, and the Gophers haven't consistently done either this season.I could see the Gophers having an opportunity to stick around early, but I expect Oregon's stable of running backs to wear out Minnesota's defense as the night goes on.
The Ducks have allowed one quarterback to throw for more than 200 yards this season, and that was Heisman trophy hopeful Fernando Mendoza. If Darius Taylor returns to the lineup, Minnesota might have enough to put together a touchdown drive, but I don't envision their offense having much success moving the football.
I think P.J. Fleck opts for a field goal late to avoid the shutout.
KNUP Sports sides with Oregon, 38-10
The Oregon Ducks are the clear favorites in this game with a strong record of 8-1, ranking third in the Big Ten Conference. Their impressive offensive stats, with 348 points scored this season, highlight their ability to dominate games. Playing at Autzen Stadium, where they hold a 4-1 home record, gives them an additional edge over the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Minnesota struggles significantly on the road with an 0-3 record. Their offensive stats are lackluster, ranking 116th in rushing yards with 991 yards, which could hinder their ability to keep up with Oregon’s high-powered offense. Given their road woes, Minnesota could have a tough time covering the substantial spread against a top-ranked Oregon team.
The Oregonian takes Oregon, 31-7
Minnesota lacks the offensive firepower to hang with Oregon. If the Gophers had a rushing attack like years past that would be one thing, but they are sorely lacking there as well and the Ducks are more than capable of containing an offense that’s so limited. Even if Oregon remains short-handed, it should be able to have its way, establish the run and break for some big plays.
Sporting News has Oregon winning, 38-13
Is the Oregon offense a concern? The Ducks averaged 19.5 points in victories at Wisconsin and Iowa. A trip home should help – and Minnesota is 0-3 S/U on the road this season with blowout losses at Ohio State and Iowa. The Gophers have allowed 141.5 rushing yards per game in Big Ten play.
Picks and Parlays goes with Oregon, 38-10
Oregon’s offensive balance with Moore’s accurate arm and the running of Davison and Whittington has been consistent all season. Minnesota will compete through its ground game and defensive pressure, but Oregon’s passing and scoring at home will decide the outcome.
The Daily Gopher (SB Nation) goes with Oregon, 45-7
Considering the Gophers have been outscored 110-20 in three road games this season, I can’t say I’m optimistic about their chances here.
Dimers has Oregon winning 35-11
After extensive simulations, our model gives Minnesota a win probability of 3%, while Oregon has a win probability of 97%.
Pro Football Network picks Oregon, 35-13
Minnesota is building towards the future, but head coach P.J. Fleck hopes his team shows more fight than the last two teams that resembled the Ducks. Oregon has the talent of Ohio State, which beat the Gophers 42-3. The Ducks also can play a similar style to Iowa, a team the Gophers fell to 41-3.
Those games made it clear that this team is building towards the future, but that doesn’t mean they can’t keep things close. Plenty of pressure lies on Drake Lindsey’s shoulders, and the Gophers quarterback needs to find his consistency for the future to be bright.
Oregon is dealing with multiple injuries to key players, and the timetables for those players remain uncertain. Still, the Ducks found a way to battle through adversity last week, and it’s clear they have plenty of talent on the depth chart to keep winning. Dante Moore and Dakorien Moore’s statuses are the big ones to watch.
So who wins this game? Oregon’s the better, more talented team, and the betting line keeps moving more in their favor. The Gophers can keep this interesting, but it feels like a matter of when Oregon pulls away.
Big Al’s Sports Picks backs Oregon, 42-10
Oregon has looked really good in their games this season with their 8-1 record overall and their 5-1 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big Ten. They are off a ranked road win over Iowa 18-16 and that win is going to give them some momentum going forward. Meanwhile, Minnesota has looked good in their games this season with their 6-3 record overall and their 4-2 conference record which has them right in the middle of the Big Ten.
They are coming out of their bye week after beating Michigan State 23-20, but they struggled to win that game as they did need OT and they have been in some scraps this year with some of the bad teams in their conference. They have also looked a lot better in their home games this year, but they are 0-3 in their road games and Oregon is one of the toughest places to play in the Big Ten.
Oregon is currently ranked inside the top 10 and still looking to secure their spot in the playoffs. They haven't looked great in their last 2 games with some closer wins, but they will have a ton of momentum off that big road win over Iowa and Oregon has looked a lot better in their home games this season too.
Gophers on SI have Oregon winning, 31-3
I have seen nothing from Minnesota that makes me think that it can be competitive in this game, but I have been wrong before. Oregon can beat you in the trenches, it can out-athlete you on the outside, and the Gophers haven't consistently done either this season.I could see the Gophers having an opportunity to stick around early, but I expect Oregon's stable of running backs to wear out Minnesota's defense as the night goes on.
The Ducks have allowed one quarterback to throw for more than 200 yards this season, and that was Heisman trophy hopeful Fernando Mendoza. If Darius Taylor returns to the lineup, Minnesota might have enough to put together a touchdown drive, but I don't envision their offense having much success moving the football.
I think P.J. Fleck opts for a field goal late to avoid the shutout.
KNUP Sports sides with Oregon, 38-10
The Oregon Ducks are the clear favorites in this game with a strong record of 8-1, ranking third in the Big Ten Conference. Their impressive offensive stats, with 348 points scored this season, highlight their ability to dominate games. Playing at Autzen Stadium, where they hold a 4-1 home record, gives them an additional edge over the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Minnesota struggles significantly on the road with an 0-3 record. Their offensive stats are lackluster, ranking 116th in rushing yards with 991 yards, which could hinder their ability to keep up with Oregon’s high-powered offense. Given their road woes, Minnesota could have a tough time covering the substantial spread against a top-ranked Oregon team.
The Oregonian takes Oregon, 31-7
Minnesota lacks the offensive firepower to hang with Oregon. If the Gophers had a rushing attack like years past that would be one thing, but they are sorely lacking there as well and the Ducks are more than capable of containing an offense that’s so limited. Even if Oregon remains short-handed, it should be able to have its way, establish the run and break for some big plays.
Sporting News has Oregon winning, 38-13
Is the Oregon offense a concern? The Ducks averaged 19.5 points in victories at Wisconsin and Iowa. A trip home should help – and Minnesota is 0-3 S/U on the road this season with blowout losses at Ohio State and Iowa. The Gophers have allowed 141.5 rushing yards per game in Big Ten play.
Picks and Parlays goes with Oregon, 38-10
Oregon’s offensive balance with Moore’s accurate arm and the running of Davison and Whittington has been consistent all season. Minnesota will compete through its ground game and defensive pressure, but Oregon’s passing and scoring at home will decide the outcome.
The Daily Gopher (SB Nation) goes with Oregon, 45-7
Considering the Gophers have been outscored 110-20 in three road games this season, I can’t say I’m optimistic about their chances here.
Dimers has Oregon winning 35-11
After extensive simulations, our model gives Minnesota a win probability of 3%, while Oregon has a win probability of 97%.
