Since dropping back-to-back matchups against USC and San Diego State, the Stanford Cardinal bounced back in a big way with three straight wins in conference play. They’ll return home off a solid showing in Salt Lake City looking to turn its attention to Pac-12 North play versus the struggling Oregon Ducks. Willie Taggart’s squad just got its lunch served at home by Wazzu in the second half, and will head into this game without the services of Justin Herbert.
This contest in Week 7 of the regular season will go down Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 11 p.m. ET at Stanford Stadium. This game will be broadcast live on local TV.
College Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Oregon +10.5
Stanford -10.5
O/U 60
Odds Analysis
With last week’s results taken into account, it’s surprising to see the betting line staying put even though 60 percent of the betting handle has laid the points with the Cardinal. There’s resistance in the market which has allowed for the pointspread to stay put at -10.5 since first opening. This is occurring even though the Ducks got their salad’s tossed at home by Washington State last week. It likely has much to do with Oregon excelling against the run even in defeat, and Stanford looking to rush the pigskin offensively. This line likely sticks or goes a bit lower closer to kickoff.
Braxton Burmeister’s first career collegiate start was one to forget. Thankfully Royce Freeman was around to run the football with Oregon’s offense unable to do much with the youngster at the helm. That scenario has certainly played a role in the total getting bet down to 58.5 from the 60-point opener though better than 64 percent of the handle has hit the over. The reverse line movement plays into the scenario mentioned up above as well, so another possible decrease in the total is likely.
Injury Report
Justin Herbert – With the Ducks QB1 out till November with a broken collarbone, the Ducks offense is going to have to rediscover itself. The unit only combined for 277 total yards against what’s proven to be a stingy Cougars defense last week, and it could have another tough time at Stanford this week as well versus a Cardinal defense conceding an average of just 29 points per game in Pac-12 play at home.
Charles Nelson – Burmeister’s job was made all the more tougher last week with Nelson, the Ducks best pass catcher, out of commission for a second straight week. He’s still listed as questionable for this one with the ankle injury suffered a couple weeks back versus Arizona State. Stanford’s defense has been beatable through the air ( No. 101 ), so it would only help the offense out immensely if Nelson is healthy enough to return.
Key Stat
4.0 – Believe it or not, but the Ducks newfound defensive strength has found a way to get opposing offenses off the field by allowing an average of just 4.0 third down conversions per game. That has Oregon ranked No. 12 in that department nationally. The Cardinal ranks amongst the bottom third of the country at moving the chains offensively ( No. 88 ), so it goes without saying that if Oregon continues to be tenacious on third down, it will have a shot at competing in this one till the end. They just held Wazzu to a 2-of-13 showing on third down, but wilted down the stretch due to a predictable offensive attack. Now with a little seasoning, Oregon’s offense should show a bit better this week.
Free ATS Pick
This week’s tilt at Stanford marks the first time either of these sides has been installed a double-digit underdog since 2013. The Cardinal won that game outright 26-20 as 10-point underdogs the year after going into Autzen and beating the Ducks outright 17-14 as 18-point pups. Oregon was a 9-point underdog in its most recent trek to Stanford Stadium, and won that game outright 38-36. The Ducks ability to limit the Cardinal’ rushing attack and overall improvement on the defensive side of the ball has me leaning towards thinking the dog just might have some teeth in this matchup as well. I can’t help but think Burmeister will be a bit more settled in this week, and Freeman should have his way with Stanford’s rush defense. Gimme the points in a game that should play out much closer than the pointspread suggests.
College Football Odds: Cardinal 30, Ducks 24
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
