California Golden Bears vs. Oregon Ducks Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Oct. 15, 2021

Eytan Shander
VI College Football Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Nothing like a bye week following a crushing loss for the Ducks, as Oregon hopes to right the ship against a struggling Cal team. It’s a Friday night affair as the Ducks host the Golden Bears at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Score Prediction

Oregon 31, California 17

Best Bet

Oregon -13.5

Under 54

California Golden Bears vs. Oregon Ducks Predictions

All the ground gained following that Ohio State win was lost in one of the more improbable losses of the season. That’s the Ducks reality right now as they head into a matchup against a sneaky Cal squad. To make matters worse, the Ducks are down a couple of key players, including leading rusher C.J. Verdell.

The good news is Oregon is fresh – as can be – off a bye week, with an extra week to prepare for a Golden Bears team that’s simply nowhere near as talented. QB Anthony Brown, Jr. is still the starter – for now – and the Ducks should eventually pull away, even after a slow start.

It’s not just bad for Cal, it’s really bad. They haven’t won a conference game since last year – against Oregon. QB Chase Garbers is going up against one of the more aggressive secondaries he will see all season. It’s just hard to see how Cal hangs around this football game, and the only way it’s close is if Oregon stumbles out of the gates. These are two teams going in the opposite direction and the Bears are in for a hurting come Friday night.

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California Golden Bears vs. Oregon Ducks Betting Odds

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Oregon is a 13.5-point home favorite against Cal. The Ducks are just 1-4 ATS this year, while Cal is 2-3 ATS.

The total for this game is 54 points. The O/U is 5-5 this year for both teams combined.

California Golden Bears vs. Oregon Ducks Betting Resources

• Matchup: Pac-12
• Date: Friday, October 15, 2021
• Venue: Autzen Stadium
• Location: Eugene, Oregon
• TV-Time: ESPN - 10:30 p.m. ET

• Expert Picks
• Line Movements
• Betting Trend Movements
• Weather Report
• College Football Playoff Betting

California Golden Bears Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 1-4
• ATS: 2-3
• O/U: 3-2
• ATS - Home: 0-3
• ATS - Away: 2-0

How is Cal going to consistently move the ball against the Ducks? Maybe more importantly, how is Cal’s defense going to stop the Ducks? The only thing Cal has going for them is how many injuries Oregon is dealing with right now.

Garbers has already thrown five picks this year, compared to Brown’s one – coming last game. Oregon’s defense loves to turn it over against lesser QBs, this being one of those scenarios. Damien Moore isn’t bad on the ground, 313 yards and five TDs, but he might see less time with Cal being down in this game.

Oregon Ducks Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 4-1
• ATS: 1-4
• O/U: 2-4
• ATS - Home: 2-2
• ATS - Away: 1-1

While Brown threw his first pick of the season, his opponent this week is more interested in giving up points. Cal’s defense has given up 12 passing TDs this season, which should allow Brown and this offense to feast.

Yes, Verdell is out, but there is extreme confidence out in Oregon with freshman Travis Dye taking over the reins. DB Bennett Williams is also out, and DEKayvon Thibodeaux will miss the first half, stemming from a targeting call against Stanford.

Even their OC Joe Moorhead wasn’t present against Stanford, as he was in the hospital with COVID. All of this might add up for a slow start for the Ducks, but they have way too much talent to lose this football game.

The point total has gone UNDER in nine of the last 10 games played between Oregon and California. (AP)

Inside the Stats - California Golden Bears

• Record: 1-4
• VI Ranking: 92
• Points Scored: 121
• Points Allowed: 138
• PS/G: 24.2 (98th)
• PA/G: 27.6 (85th)

Inside the Stats - Oregon Ducks

• Record: 4-1
• VI Ranking: 19
• Points Scored: 179
• Points Allowed: 109
• PS/G: 35.8 (25th)
• PA/G: 21.8 (38th)

Key Players to Watch

• CAL: Chase Garbers - QB (107/170, 1,245 yards, 7 TD, 5 INT)
• CAL: Damien Moore - RB (62 carries, 313 yards, 5 TD)
• OREG: Anthony Brown, Jr. - QB (70/124, 959 yards, 7 TD, INT)

Injuries

• CAL: Nikko Remigio - WR (Undisclosed-Probable)
• CAL: Kuony Deng - LB (Leg-Out)
• CAL: DeCarlos Brooks - RB (Body-Questionable)
• CAL: Stanley McKenzie - DT (Leg-Out)
• OREG: Dru Mathis - LB (Undisclosed-Out)
• OREG: Cam McCormick - TE (Achilles-Out)
• OREG: Bennett Williams - DB (Fibula-Out)
• OREG: C.J. Verdell - RB (Leg-Out)
• OREG: Jamal Hill - S (Suspension-Out)
• OREG: D.J. James - CB (Suspension-Out)
• OREG: J.J. Greenfield - S (Suspension-Out)
• OREG: Justin Flowe - LB (Foot-Out)
• OREG: Jackson LaDuke - LB (Leg-Out)
• OREG: Bram Walden - OL (Leg-Questionable)
• OREG: Bradyn Swinson - DE (Undisclosed-Questionable)
• OREG: Sean Dollars - RB (Knee-Questionable)
• OREG: Patrick Herbert - TE (Knee-Questionable)
• OREG: Kayvon Thibodeaux - DE (Suspension-Out 1st Half)

California Golden Bears vs. Oregon Ducks Betting Conclusion

This might be the best live-betting spot across the entire slate of college football. The Ducks are down so many important people, be it for the game or first half, that it would lend to a slower start. Cal might even get up if they can incorporate Moore on the ground.

The dog has covered nine straight for Cal games. The Bears come off a bye like Oregon, but Cal dropped two straight before that and split ATS. Like the Ducs, but love the Ducks after a slow start in-game!

California Golden Bears vs. Oregon Ducks Betting Trends

• California has covered the spread in 11 of its last 14 road games.
• California has gone UNDER the point total in 12 of its last 18 road games.
• Oregon has gone UNDER the point total in six of its last eight games.
• Oregon has failed to covered the spread in four of its last five home games.

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