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USATSI

An early-season showdown that could have significant College Football Playoff implications takes place on Saturday when the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 12 Oregon Ducks collide at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes (1-0) are the favorites to win the Big Ten for the fifth straight season. They've reached the CFP four times in the seven-year history of the playoff, including last year. Meanwhile the Ducks (1-0) are favored to win the Pac-12 title for the third straight year. They've reached the CFP once, in the inaugural year of 2015, when they lost to Ohio State in the National Championship Game. Star edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux (ankle) is questionable for Oregon. 

Kickoff on Saturday is noon ET. The Buckeyes are 14.5-point favorites in the latest Ohio State vs. Oregon odds from Caesars Sportsbook. The over-under for total points scored is set at 64. Before making any Oregon vs. Ohio State picks, check out the college football predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of over $3,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters Week 2 of the 2021 season on a 63-45 run on all top-rated college football picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Ohio State vs. Oregon. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the college football odds and trends for Oregon vs. Ohio State:

  • Ohio State vs. Oregon spread: Buckeyes -14.5
  • Ohio State vs. Oregon over-under: 64 points
  • Ohio State vs. Oregon money line: Buckeyes -700, Ducks +475
  • OSU: C.J. Stroud leads the country in yards per completion (22.6).
  • ORE: Freshman linebacker Justin Flowe is tied for the Pac-12 lead in tackles (13).

Why Ohio State can cover

Ohio State has arguably the best receiving duo in the country in Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. After combining for 93 receptions, 1,452 yards and 13 touchdowns in just eight games last season, Olave and Wilson were named to the AP preseason All-America first-team and second-team offense, respectively, entering this season. In last week's season-opening win over the Golden Gophers, the two combined for nine catches for 197 yards and three touchdowns.

In addition, Ohio State has a big-play threat at running back in freshman Miyan Williams. A 5-foot-8, 227-pounder from Cincinnati, Williams ran for a team-high 125 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown, against Minnesota. The score was the longest run by an Ohio State player since Master Teague's 73-yard TD run at Northwestern in 2019.

Why Oregon can cover

Oregon has a defense that thrives on scoring points off turnovers. Since Mario Cristobal took over as coach before the 2018 season, the Ducks rank No. 2 in the country in points off turnovers, scoring at least 14 points off turnovers 12 times during his tenure. In last week's season opener, Oregon scored 17 points off three Fresno State turnovers.

In addition, the Ducks have a sideline-to-sideline playmaker in linebacker Justin Flowe. A 6-foot-2, 235-pound freshman from Chino, Calif., who was a consensus five-star recruit in 2020, Flowe racked up 14 tackles and a forced fumble against Fresno State. He became the first Oregon player since 2007 and just the fourth since 2000 to have at least 14 tackles and force a fumble in a game.

How to make Oregon vs. Ohio State picks

SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 57 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 50 percent of simulations. You can only get the pick at SportsLine. 

So who wins Ohio State vs. Oregon? And which side of the spread hits in over 50 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college football picks, and find out.