National experts' predictions for Oregon vs. James Madison CFP matchup
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
At long last, the Oregon Ducks are taking the field once again following the extended postseason break, and Saturday night will bring the first College Football Playoff game in Autzen Stadium history.
The James Madison Dukes are coming to town in a matchup where Oregon is heavily favored against the 12-seed Group of Six team. A win would advance the Ducks back to the quarterfinals, where they would match up against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Before they can focus on that matchup, though, they need to handle the Dukes at home. While James Madison may come from the G6 level, they will have one of the top-ranked defenses in the nation and will pose a challenge in certain areas for the Ducks.
Going into the weekend, national college football analysts are making their predictions for the first round games that are set to take place, picking the game either straight up or against the spread. Here’s what we’ve found so far from the top guys:
Joel Klatt
Pick: Oregon -21.5
“I think Oregon covers the 21.5. You just throw down a score, and I’m like, okay, 42-17, that’s a cover. So I like Oregon to cover this one. I know that that’s a huge number, and JMU is a good football team, but I’m going to take it. Bob Chesney, you’ve done a heck of a job. Can’t wait for him to get to UCLA. I think he’s going to do a really good job at UCLA. Oregon wins this one, 42-17.”
Josh Pate
Pick: Oregon -21.5
“I think this will be the Sarah McLaughlin special. And I don’t necessarily know that we want to poke fun at JMU if it were to happen that way, but I think Oregon is going to get out to a huge lead really early, the game’s over at halftime, and they are resting starters in the second half. I’m taking Oregon to win and cover. It is what it is. It’s no one’s fault that’s in the game. But I think we all know that if the impetus for expanding the playoff is having more competitive games, that’s not it. That’s unlikely to be it.”
Dan Rubenstein
Pick: Oregon -21.5
“I just I think the Oregon defense is going to be suffocating. I think they’re going to figure things out on the ground. I think we’re going to see some big plays in this Oregon offense. And I think we see a bit of a crockpotting. I have it at like 35-13 so I guess that’s barely covering. Maybe 37-13, 33-10, I don’t know that is.”
Ty Hildenbrandt
Pick: JMU +21.5
“Oregon is good enough to sell out, to stop the run and still stop the pass without having to over-commit one way or the other. I’ve got it at 33-14 Oregon.”
Greg McElroy
Pick: JMU +21.5
“Oregon, I think, is just better built for a game of this magnitude. I have a ton of confidence in an Oregon victory. I do not have a ton of confidence in an Oregon cover. I think James Madison will battle in this game, but eventually Oregon will pull away. I think Oregon wins this game 31-14 and punches its ticket to the quarterfinals.”
JD Pickell
Pick: Oregon -21.5
“I think that Oregon’s overall personnel and the Dan landing, psychopathic composure nature will be enough for them to get it done. So Oregon wins. Oregon covers.”
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: National experts make picks for Oregon Ducks vs. James Madison Dukes
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos