There were at least a couple of surprises when the Bowl Championship Series’ initial rankings were released on Sunday, and one of them may very well have been number-two Oregon’s seeding one spot ahead of Boise State. The Ducks have been one of the most exciting teams in college football betting with the top offense in the country this season, and will take the national spotlight this Thursday when they host UCLA.UCLA Bruins @ Oregon Ducks
Thursday October 21, 2010 – 8:00 PM ET
Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
Online Sports Betting Odds: Oregon - 24
The Bruins are coming off a loss to California that snapped a three-game winning streak that included ranked opponents in number-23 Houston and number-seven Texas. While a .500 record doesn’t exactly call for celebration, the quality of opponents that UCLA has beaten early this year lends optimism to their season going forward.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: UCLA
UCLA is 1-2 in the PAC-10, with the blowout loss to California forcing them to take a step back. The Bruins allowed the first four touchdowns in the game, as its tenth-ranked rush defense allowed 304 yards on the ground, getting absolutely decimated by Golden Bears’ running back Shane Vereen. A big part in UCLA’s loss is the injuries that its defense has suffered, but after getting blown away by an unranked opponent there are question marks as to just how much progress this program has actually made this year.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: Oregon
The third-ranked rushing attack in the country has helped Oregon to the top scoring offense in the country, and a couple of weeks rest should only have prepared the Ducks even more. Oregon is seeded number-one in the country and is second in the BCS rankings. If they are going to have any chance at booking their spot in the national title game, the Ducks will likely have to go perfect over the remaining six games of the season. Head coach Chip Kelly understands his team still has a long way to go to get to the championship, but led by quarterback Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael James, Oregon is in control of their own destiny at this point. James leads the FBS in rushing with 169.6 rushing yards per game, a big chunk of the Ducks’ 576 yards per game average so far.
The Match Up: UCLA @ Oregon
The Ducks are focused and determined after opening up the initial BCS rankings in the top-two, and will look to begin a six-game run to the national title game with a big homecoming. Two Northbet weeks off should mean both teams are well-rested, but the Bruins’ defense is injury-riddled, and given what California was able to do on the ground against the Bruins two weeks ago, the Ducks should have no problem destroying the 24-point spread. Take Oregon in a second UCLA blowout loss.
BSN Sports Pick: Oregon - 24
