A couple of weeks ago, the Oregon Ducks went on the road to one of the toughest environments in the college football world and proved themselves, beating the No. 2 Penn State Nittany Lions in double overtime. Now, after a well-timed bye week, they are being asked to prove themselves once again, facing off against the No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers at home on Saturday afternoon in Autzen Stadium.
It’s going to be a fun game to watch, with two of the top teams in the Big Ten squaring off and trying to secure an inside track to the conference championship game and a likely spot in the College Football Playoff.
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While there is a belief that both of these teams are among the best in the country this year, we still need to see more proof. Oregon’s best win vs. Penn State looks a little bit worse today than it did a week ago, thanks to the Nittany Lions’ embarrassing loss to the UCLA Bruins in Week 6. Meanwhile, after Indiana’s 63-10 win over a ranked Illinois team, they struggled to put away an unranked Iowa team in Week 5.
It’s safe to say that both teams still need to show something this weekend.
So far, we’ve broken down the matchup, looked at some major keys to victory, and covered the injury news heading into Saturday. Now it’s time to look at how some of the well-respected college football experts have picked the game.
A handful of analysts have dived into this contest and forecast what’s to come, ultimately making their picks for the outcome, either straight up or against the spread. Here’s what we’ve found so far from the top guys:
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Joel Klatt
Pick: Oregon -7.5
“I think Oregon, just because of their mentality and being at home, I think they cover the seven and a half. I know that’s a big, big number, but I’m thinking it’s a 31-21 style of game here, maybe a late score from Oregon. So I’ll take Oregon to cover the seven and a half. I think they beat Indiana up in Eugene.”
Josh Pate
Pick: Oregon -7.5
“I am changing my pick. I think Oregon’s going to win. I think Oregon’s going to cover. … Listen, I think Dan Lanning and company are going to take care of business here. So I changed my mind. I had a change of heart, and I am slamming the model shut on this game. Oregon’s going to win. Oregon’s going to cover.”
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Will Compton
Pick: Oregon
“When I’m looking at this game, I just see an ass beating. But a lot of respect for Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers.”
Taylor Lewan
Pick: Oregon -7.5
“Week 7 last year, Indiana was undefeated. They went to Ohio State, and they lost that game by 15. I don’t see anything changing here. Oregon’s gonna mop the floor with Indiana.”
Jon Gruden
Pick: Indiana 31, Oregon 30
“Hell with it, I’m taking Indiana, 2,000 miles from home. Indiana 31, Oregon 30. Go Hoosiers.”
David Pollack
Pick: Oregon
“I think Dante Moore’s got a little bit more wiggle, a little bit more speed, a little bit more ability to make you miss and make an extra play. So I’m going with the home team. I’m going with Oregon because of that, because I think Dante Moore and I think Oregon’s speed is a little bit better than Indiana’s. I think Indiana is going to try them. They’re going to test them. It’s going to be a little bit of a back-and-forth. But you know me, man, I love the home team. It’s hard to go against the home team, unless I really feel like you can handle that adversity, handle that environment at an elite level, and you’re just a notch above every position.”
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Greg McElroy
Pick: Oregon ML, Indiana +7.5
“I’m going to take Oregon in this game, but I think it’s going to be close. I’ll take the points. I think this has a chance to be a very high-scoring game. I like both offenses an awful lot. I like both quarterbacks an awful lot. I love the personnel at wide receiver for both teams, and I do think the defense, because of their aggressiveness, could be susceptible to a couple of big plays created. So I’ll take Oregon, I’ll take the points, I think it’ll be a high-scoring affair.”
JD Pickell
Pick: Oregon -7.5
“I have a very difficult time seeing Oregon just walk into this game against Indiana, with College GameDay there, with a spot being as big as it is, and then just come out flat. I don’t think that. So I think this is kind of a slow burn sort of game for both sides. … I think that Oregon wins the game. I think that they actually cover that number. I’ll take Oregon, 31-21.”
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: National experts make predictions for Oregon Ducks vs.Indiana game
