Oregon Pregame Picks: Staff score predictions, tips against the spread and Eleven Warriors prop bets

The Buckeyes head to Eugene, Oregon, for their scheduled Week 7 college football showdown as they prepare to face the Ducks in the 11th-ever meeting between the schools. Ohio State will look to avenge its home loss to Oregon from the 2021 season when Brutus welcomes Buckeye Puddles and Co. to the Big Ten.

It's GAME DAY pic.twitter.com/FTIW73fAZb

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 12, 2024

Nike has gone to great lengths to ensure both schools present themselves fashionably in prime time, as the Buckeyes teased yesterday before confirming this morning that they will wear white jerseys versus the Ducks' all-black jerseys tonight.

His feeling in Eugene pic.twitter.com/lCpq6gkB6Y

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 12, 2024

Oregon hosted ESPN College GameDay this morning as Kirk Herbstreit and Nick Saban predicted an Ohio State win, while the absent Lee Corso also gave the Buckeyes a win. Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and special guest Kaitlin Olson from It's always sunny in Philadelphia went with the Ducks.

As the fall sun sets on the other side of the country as the Buckeyes prepare for their toughest test of the regular season, find out below what the Eleven Warriors experts expect at Autzen Zoo tonight.

Outcome predictions

Andy Anders – Ohio State 34, Oregon 27: Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton force Oregon to become one-dimensional on offense by clogging up the running lanes, and while the Ducks have the weapons to move the ball through the air, Ohio State is proving to be the more complete team – before especially in the trenches. After a long road trip, an early hiccup might be in order to keep everything in order.

Chase Brown – Ohio State 28, Oregon 24: This game will be an instant classic with Ohio State emerging victorious. The Buckeyes are talented across the board, and when that talent is combined with a well-crafted game plan from Ryan Day, Chip Kelly and Jim Knowles, the Buckeyes will prove that they are among the best teams in college football with a resounding win in Eugene belong.

George Eisner – Ohio State 28, Oregon 24: While many analysts have placed the emphasis on the results of this game coming down to the quarterbacks, I believe the crucial matchup will actually be reflected in Oregon's rushing offense against Ohio State's run defense. Both units are among the best in the country for consistent effectiveness, meaning something has to happen for a team to emerge victorious. If the Buckeyes can shut down the Ducks on the ground, an over-reliance on Dillon Gabriel will lead to mistakes that hand OSU a narrow win.

Jack Emerson – Ohio State 28, Oregon 24: The first real test for Ohio State is finally here and I expect the Buckeyes to ultimately pass that test. The Buckeye running game continues to produce high yards against the Ducks, while the OSU defense does just enough to keep Oregon's potent offensive attack in check.

Johnny Ginter – Ohio State 28, Oregon 24: Gabriel is exactly the type of quarterback who can exploit relatively soft coverage in the middle of the field, but Judkins and Henderson are exactly the type of running backs who can attack Oregon's defensive line. Ohio State shortened the game with the run and made a big play late with Emeka to seal the win.

Matt Gutridge – Ohio State 31, Oregon 13: Bucks beat Ducks.

Garrick Hodge – Ohio State 31, Oregon 27: Ohio State wins the game of the year thanks to timely defensive maneuvers and the Buckeyes' offense successfully spreading out the Oregon defense, similar to what Washington did with the Ducks a season ago.

Dan Hope – Ohio State 28, Oregon 27: Ohio State and Oregon have both had 21 possessions inside the red zone this season, but the Buckeyes have scored touchdowns on 20 of them while the Ducks have scored touchdowns on just 14. If this trend continues it could make the difference, I expect it will be a very close game where every single point counts.

Kyle Jones – Ohio State 31, Oregon 24: Chip Kelly's use of motion creates miscues in Oregon's secondary that the OSU receivers exploit early, forcing Dillon Gabriel to play catch-up in a system not designed for this type of game.

Chris Lauderback – Ohio State 31, Oregon 23: The Buckeyes win the line of scrimmage and the red zone en route to a huge road win.

Ramzy Nasrallah – Ohio State 38, Oregon 20: Time zone differences won't save Dillon Gabriel from the first top-40 defense Oregon faces this season.

Josh Poloha – Ohio State 27, Oregon 24: The Buckeyes will control the run game and the trenches with their dominant rushing attack and OSU will take care of business on the road in what has quickly become one of the biggest games of the season in college football.

Jason Priestas – Ohio State 34, Oregon 21: Ohio State gets the decisive win of the 2024 college football season, pulling away with a defensive score in the fourth quarter.

Jordan Raines – Ohio State 28, Oregon 24: The Bucks dominate the trenches and allow Judkins and Henderson to run wild. Jim Knowles' scheme, the Rushmen's constant pressure and solid secondary play are keeping the explosive Ducks' offense clipping its wings.

Will Ohio State cover?

Ohio State enters the night as a three-point favorite over Oregon after flipping the line from the start in the offseason, giving the Ducks a one-point lead. All but two people on the Eleven Warriors team expect the Buckeyes to win by more than a field goal, with Josh Poloha expecting a push and Dan Hope expecting a close win by a single point.

Matt Gutridge and Ramzy Nasrallah each have the biggest margin of victory with an alarming 18 points. Only Jason Priestas, Gutridge and Nasrallah predicted an OSU win by multiple points.

What about the over/under?

The prediction for the overall points score for the competition started with a line of 56.5 before gradually falling to around 54 points as the kick-off progressed. Six members of the Eleven Warriors team believe the over will hit, while eight predict the under will take shape.

Andy Anders has the highest total between the teams with a combined 61 points, while Gutridge has the lowest total with just 44 points. Of all 14 staffers, only Gutridge believes the Ducks won't reach or exceed 20 points.

Eleven Warriors Prop Bets

Curious about what the odds say about the likelihood of further outcomes in this showdown? Check out some of our in-house prop betting lines for tonight's game for a closer look at what sports bettors can and can't expect. Leave us your predictions in the comments and compete for bragging rights!

• How many passing yards will Will Howard have?

  • Over 249.5 (+100)

  • Below 249.5 (-125)

• How many passing touchdowns will Ohio State's defense allow Dillon Gabriel?

  • Two or more (-120)

  • One or less (-110)

• Will Jeremiah Smith score at least two touchdowns?
• Will Ohio State's defense score a touchdown?
• If you believe a buckeye run back will score the first touchdown of the game, who will do it?

  • Quinshon Judkins (+700)

  • TreVeyon Henderson (+850)

  • James Peoples (+2200)

  • Sam Williams-Dixon (+2500)

  • Someone else (+5000)