Hop into our BYU vs. Oregon prediction and betting preview ahead of their matchup on Saturday, Sept. 17. Alongside all the betting specifics for their matchup, find DFS and College Fantasy Football players of note for your lineups all the same.
BYU vs. Oregon betting preview
- Spread
Oregon -3.5 - Moneyline
BYU + 150, Oregon -175 - Over/Under
58 points - Gametime
3:30 p.m. ET - Location
Autzen Field, Eugene, Oregon - Predicted weather at kick
66 degrees, cloudy, winds 5-10 mph
A highly-anticipated bout between programs on differing trajectories, BYU Cougars vs. Oregon Ducks is a testament to BYU’s mantra of “any opponent, anywhere” and Oregon’s willingness to prove their superiority out west. That being said, both programs enter battle-tested but on seemingly different trajectories. A program full of tradition and stability, BYU enters as a 3.5-point underdog as they head north to Eugene.
However, that line seems generous given the fact that BYU just handled their business despite a litany of mistakes against Baylor, the reigning Big 12 champions. The home crowd should absolutely be a factor for the Ducks, but the Cougars are no strangers to playing in a hostile environment. They’re a veteran team with one of that nation’s best leaders in Jaren Hall at the helm.
Considering the knowledge we have at hand, the Cougars should be able to make this a game for all four quarters, but what specifics should bettors know?
BYU vs. Oregon prediction
This game could go in a multitude of ways. BYU could be beat up from their home-field defense against Baylor. Oregon could enter the game riding high after putting up 70 points on FCS foe Eastern Washington. In all likelihood, however, this game lives up to its top billing because of several factors:
- BYU’s offensive line vs. Oregon’s defensive line
- Jaren Hall vs. Trikweze Bridges, Dontae Manning, Christian Gonzalez, Bennett Williams
- Bo Nix vs. himself
- Oregon’s skill players vs. BYU’s linebackers
BYU offensive line vs. Oregon defensive line
With a multitude of storylines, we attack the biggest and what should be the most exciting battles in this contest. Starting it with the trenches, BYU’s offensive line currently holds no fewer than three NFL draft picks.
Oregon’s defensive line, however, isn’t quite as stacked as it has been in recent years. Aside from Brandon Dorlus, the Ducks’ defensive line is a ragtag band of characters that were outmuscled by Georgia but handled their business against Eastern Washington.
Edge: BYU
Jaren Hall, QB, BYU
Jaren Hall, BYU’s unrivaled leader, is very clearly the better of the two quarterbacks in this outing. After putting forth a dominant effort against Baylor not only on the statistical sheet but by every other metric, Hall showed he’s capable of taking care of the football and dotting the field with accurate darts against elite coverage.
As good as Baylor is on defense, however, they don’t quite have a Christian Gonzalez this season. Gonzalez is a stalwart defensive back who could use this as a springboard to a rising draft stock. Still, go with experience. Go with the leader.
Edge: BYU
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Bo Nix, the embattled Auburn transfer, made personal history against EWU last week when he threw for five touchdowns in a single game for the first time in his career. In fact, it marked the first time he’d thrown four or more touchdowns in a single game in his four-year career to date. His level of play has always been incredibly volatile, and against stout defenses with good pass-rush, he’s evaded the pocket too quickly and made far too many mistakes.
If Nix can keep himself out of trouble and make sound decisions, his confidence is high enough to have him make some waves in the passing game. But, to our next point, he’d have to beat BYU deep as their linebackers are elite in underneath coverage. And with having to target more receivers deep downfield, mistakes can be made.
Edge: BYU
BYU linebacking corps
The BYU linebacking corps is a dominant group, with Payton Wilgar leading the group of Ben Bywater, Keenan Pili, and Max Tooley. Each of those four could be playing football on Sundays in the near future as Pili is the ultimate X-factor.
They all do multiple things incredibly well, but they’ll certainly be tested against Oregon’s combination of Chase Cota, Kris Hutson, Troy Franklin, and Seven McGee. Franklin had 10 receptions a week ago, and he can win over the middle of the field easily. However, EWU certainly didn’t have four capable, NFL-caliber linebackers at their disposal.
Edge: BYU
Final prediction
BYU 31, Oregon 17
Top DFS picks and fantasy plays
The top play from this week remains in question as Puka Nacua missed last week’s game and remains questionable for the Oregon game. Nacua is a vertical threat that can stretch the Oregon defense and wins with his yards-after-the-catch ability.
Outside of Nacua, Jaren Hall certainly is in play if he’s your quarterback in college fantasy leagues as he’s averaging over 260 passing yards per game and is always a threat to score on the ground, or now in their newfound “Provo Special” play where he caught a TD pass against Baylor.
For Oregon, Troy Franklin is up for grabs in DFS and CFF situations after his 10-catch performance last week. He’ll drive a high price for unknown circumstances, but as of now, he’s on the bubble and on his way to being pushed out as he wins over the middle of the field, and that’s where BYU’s coverage thrives.
Similarly, Oregon’s run defense is stingy, and despite their commitment to the running game, Christopher Brooks and Lopini Katoa are set to be touchdown-dependent in terms of a good fantasy performance. There are certainly better options this week.
Here are the current FanDuel values for the top players in the BYU vs. Oregon matchup:
- QB Jaren Hall, BYU: $9,300
- QB Bo Nix, Oregon: $9,100
- RB Christopher Brooks, BYU: $7,400
- RB Byron Cardwell, Oregon: $7,200
- RB Mar’Kiese Irving, Oregon: $6,600
- RB Lopini Katoa, BYU: $5,800
- RB Sean Dollars, Oregon: $5,600
- WR Troy Franklin, Oregon: $7,700
- WR Puka Nacua, BYU (Questionable): $7,500
- WR Gunner Romney, BYU (Questionable): $7,000
- WR Chase Roberts, BYU: $6,800
- WR Keanu Hill, BYU: $6,100
- WR Dont’e Thornton, Oregon: $5,900
- WR Chase Cota, Oregon: $5,600
- WR Seven McGee, Oregon: $5,400
- TE Terrance Ferguson, Oregon: $5,700
- TE Dallin Holker, BYU: $5,200
- TE Cam McCormick, Oregon: $4,900
- TE Isaac Rex, BYU: $4,600
With his dominance from last week in hand, Chase Roberts remains about the only play in this game unless we hear that Nacua and Romney can go. If they are both out again, at that price, Roberts almost becomes a must-play in every DFS entry.
