Oregon Ducks vs. Utah Utes Picks & Preview | NCAAFB Week 9

Star runner Mar’Keise Irving and the Oregon Ducks (6-1) meet the Utah Utes (6-1) on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The Ducks are the favorites (-6.5) in their game against the Utes, with the over/under at 47 points. (In terms of the moneyline, the Ducks are -240 and the Utes are +195.)

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Game Info for Oregon vs. Utah

• Game Day: Saturday, October 28, 2023
• Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
• TV Channel: FOX
• Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
• Stadium: Rice-Eccles Stadium

Oregon Pick Insights

• Oregon has a 4-1-1 record against the spread this season.
• In games this season as favorites of at least 6.5 points, Oregon has a 3-1 record against the spread.
• Two of Oregon’s six games with a set total have hit the over (33.3%).

Oregon Stats & Insights

• Oregon has been a handful for opposing teams, ranking top-25 in both total offense (best with 553 yards per game) and total defense (19th-best with 312.6 yards allowed per game) this year.
• Oregon has been making things happen on both sides of the ball this year, as they rank second-best in scoring offense (47 points per game) and 16th-best in scoring defense (17 points allowed per game).
• Oregon has the 57th-ranked defense this season in terms of passing yards (217.4 allowed per game), and has been better on offense, ranking seventh-best with 328.6 passing yards per game.
• Oregon has been a difficult matchup for opposing teams in the running game, ranking top-25 in both rushing offense (sixth-best with 224.4 rushing yards per game) and rushing defense (12th-best with 95.1 rushing yards allowed per game) this year.
• Offensively, Oregon has been a top-25 unit in terms of third-down efficiency, ranking fifth-best in the FBS by averaging a 53.1% third-down percentage. The defense ranks 35th on defense (34.3% third-down percentage allowed).
• Oregon owns the 16th-best turnover margin in college football at +6, forcing seven turnovers (106th in the FBS) while turning it over one time (first in the FBS).

Oregon’s Best Players

• Bo Nix has thrown for 2,089 yards (298.4 ypg) to lead Oregon, completing 78.4% of his passes and collecting 19 touchdown passes compared to one interception this season. He’s also contributed in the ground game with 105 rushing yards on 28 carries with two rushing touchdowns.
• Irving has racked up 649 yards on 87 carries while finding the end zone seven times as a runner. He’s also caught 27 passes for 222 yards (31.7 per game) and one touchdown through the air.
• Jordan James has been handed the ball 58 times this year and racked up 463 yards (66.1 per game) with eight touchdowns.
• Troy Franklin’s leads his squad with 768 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 44 catches (out of 61 targets) and scored eight touchdowns.
• Tez Johnson has hauled in 28 receptions totaling 368 yards, finding the end zone four times as a receiver so far this campaign.
• Gary Bryant Jr. has been the target of 22 passes and racked up 19 grabs for 244 yards, an average of 34.9 yards per contest. He’s found the end zone two times through the air this season.
• Brandon Dorlus has four sacks to lead the team, and also has three TFL and 16 tackles.
• Oregon’s tackle leader, Evan Williams, has 35 tackles, three TFL, and 3.5 sacks this year.
• Khyree Jackson has picked off a team-high two passes. He also has 14 tackles, two TFL, one sack, and two passes defended to his name.

Utah Betting Insights

• Utah is 4-2-1 against the spread this year.
• Utah is 1-0 against the spread so far when playing as at least 6.5-point underdogs.
• Two of Utah’s seven games with a set total have hit the over (28.6%).

Utah Pick Insights

• Utah ranks 100th in the FBS with 345 total yards per contest, but it has been lifted up by its defense, which ranks 14th-best by allowing just 295.4 total yards per contest.
• Utah ranks 98th in the FBS with 23.4 points per contest, but it has been lifted up by its defense, which ranks 11th-best by allowing only 15 points per contest.
• Utah’s passing offense has been bottom-25 this season, putting up 161.7 passing yards per game, which ranks 16th-worst in the FBS. Defensively, it ranks 57th with 217.4 passing yards surrendered per contest.
• Utah has been excelling on run defense, surrendering only 78 rushing yards per contest (sixth-best). Offensively, it ranks 33rd in the FBS by compiling 183.3 rushing yards per game.
• Utah’s third-down defense has been leading the way for the team, as it ranks second-best in the FBS with a 24.4% third-down conversion percentage allowed. In terms of offense, it is compiling a 36.2% third-down rate, which ranks 96th.
• Utah owns a top-25 turnover margin this season, ranking 11th-best at +7.

Utah’s Best Players

• Bryson Barnes has recored 633 passing yards, or 90.4 per game, so far this season. He has completed 58.4% of his passes and has recorded four touchdowns with three interceptions. He’s also chipped in on the ground with 19.4 rushing yards per game while scoring as a runner three times.
• Ja’Quinden Jackson is his team’s leading rusher with 87 carries for 450 yards, or 64.3 per game. He’s found paydirt one time on the ground, as well.
• Jaylon Glover has taken 71 carries and totaled 256 yards with two touchdowns.
• Mikey Matthews’ 210 receiving yards (30 yards per game) lead the team. He has 22 catches on 34 targets.
• Money Parks has 15 receptions (on 29 targets) for a total of 203 yards (29 yards per game) and two touchdowns this year.
• Devaughn Vele’s 15 receptions (on 31 targets) have netted him 201 yards (28.7 ypg).
• Jonah Elliss has 10 sacks to lead the team, and also has 11 TFL and 31 tackles.
• Utah’s top-tackler, Sione Vaki, has 33 tackles, six TFL, one sack, and one interception this year.
• Lander Barton leads the team with two interceptions, while also putting up 30 tackles and two passes defended.