How will the Oregon Ducks fare in their first season in the Big Ten Conference? The Ducks have been in the weight room preparing for games against national championship contenders: the Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines and other elite teams.
The Buckeyes are looking to win their first Big Ten title since 2020, while Oregon also won its last (Pac-12) conference championship in 2020.
The Ducks and Buckeyes each have a team win percentage of 10.5, and Ohio State has the best chance to win the Big Ten Championship game.
However, according to FanDuel, Oregon is the “best bet” to win the Big Ten Championship game at +250. The reasoning? Oregon’s favorable schedule and high-caliber passing attack.
As far as tough Big Ten road games go, Ohio State has a more challenging schedule than the Ducks: Ohio State plays Oregon, Penn State and Michigan, while Oregon’s schedule seems a bit easier with home-court advantage against the Buckeyes and a tough road game against Michigan.
On offense, Oregon welcomes two of the best transfer portal athletes in quarterback Dillon Gabriel and receiver Evan Stewart. Both fill the needs of Oregon, which brought both quarterback Bo Nix and top receiver Troy Franklin to the Denver Broncos in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Gabriel and Stewart developed good chemistry during the offseason, and Stewart says Gabriel is the most talented quarterback he has ever played with.
“I’ve never had a quarterback of his caliber, I’ll say that,” Stewart said. “He’s a senior, he’s seen a lot and played with a lot of guys that I’ve heard of and looked up to. It’s definitely a good thing to watch every day how he prepares and how he does his thing.”
Experienced wide receiver Tez Johnson and tight end Terrance Ferguson add explosiveness to Ducks offensive coordinator Will Stein’s exciting offense.
An exciting squad and an innovative coaching staff mean high expectations and “best bets”.
The Big Ten will expand to 18 teams in 2024 – adding Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA – making it the largest conference in college football. Another change this season is the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, opening up the competition and creating more meaningful games later in the season.
If Oregon wins the Big Ten Championship game, the Ducks will earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.
The Ducks narrowly missed the 2023 CFP, suffering a loss to the Washington Huskies in the Pac-12 championship game.
In 2024, Oregon’s offense will have to contend with the unexpected.
“(Will Stein) always has some crazy trick plays going on. He’s drawing on a napkin in a restaurant somewhere,” tight end Terrance Ferguson told Bri Amaranthus of Oregon Ducks SI. “Coach Stein has done a great job of being that creative. And he really thrives on trying to get the ball to players in open space. And I think that’s really the best thing you can do.”
Oregon opens the 2024 season on Aug. 31 against Idaho at Autzen Stadium (4:30 p.m. PT, Big Ten Network).
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The odds are updated regularly and are subject to change.
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