ScoopDuck Roundtable: Oregon vs Utah Score Predictions

We are halfway through the work week which means we have score predictions to post. A massive game is set to take place in Salt Lake City this weekend with ESPN Gameday and the CFB world with eyes on the event.

No need to offer up a long intro, it’s time to read the scores and judge for yourself who is right and wrong.

Joel Gunderson: Oregon 31, Utah 20

By this point, both teams are well aware of their opponent and who they are. Utah is a disruptive defensive team with an offense that can capitalize but shouldn’t be able to hold up against Orefon’s defense.

The Ducks are an offensive juggernaut seemingly stuck in 3rd gear despite putting up absurd numbers. This matchup comes down to one thing: do the Ducks allow Bryson Barnes to use his legs to keep drives alive, or do they corral him and force his arm to be the weapon?

For as good as Barnes looked against USC, he’s not Cameron Ward, and he’s not Tyler Shough, the two mobile QBs who gave Oregon fits. 

A slow start from both offenses eventually breaks the Ducks’ way as their offensive line wears down a tough Utes defense. Oregon’s defense amps up the pressure against an offensive that is much more straightforward to defend stylistically. 

Corpatty: Utah 27, Oregon 24

I want to preface this by saying that as usual when I predict the Ducks to lose, I really hope I’m wrong.  That said, Utah has won 18 straight home games and 29 of their last 30 games at Rice-Eccles.  Dan Lanning has yet to beat a ranked team outside of Autzen.  Until I actually see it, I have my doubts that these streaks will change on Saturday. 

Last year Utah held Oregon to the second fewest point total of the Lanning era (Georgia was the lowest), albeit with a gimpy Bo Nix.  I expect it to be similarly tough sledding for the Oregon offense on Saturday in a packed Rice-Eccles stadium. Offensive line penalties have been a problem for Oregon recently and that could continue in a tough, loud road environment.  Field goal kicking has now also become a question mark, which can loom large in close games.

I think this contest will come down to the running game.  Utah is 5th in the country surrendering only 78 yards rushing per game (2.97 yards per rush which would rank 9th).  The numbers are even better in home games.  And last year at Autzen Oregon was unable to run the ball effectively against Utah, amassing only 59 yards rushing, and Noah Whittington collected 53 yards rushing himself.  If Oregon can run the football like they normally do, the Ducks can win the game.  But even with Lander Barton out, I think Oregon is going to find it very tough to run.  I think this game will be close throughout, but I think Oregon will come up a field goal short and Lanning will still be looking for his first road win against a ranked opponent.

Jhop: Oregon 34, Utah 27

I’ve gone back and forth, back and forth since Saturday. And even Corpatty can attest to what I’m about to tell you, I originally said I would probably pick Utah to win this week. Gameday, a tough team, a lot of emotion. Kyle Whittingham is as good as it gets in these kinds of situations. A ‘giant killer’ if you will.

As the week has gone on I’ve felt better about this game for Oregon. Utah was a bad matchup for USC. They were good at everything USC wasn’t. Oregon is not USC. Oregon matches up much better against Utah than USC did. If this were in Eugene, I’d have Oregon winning by 20. I’m boldly calling it a 7 point win but it will be a close game.

Jarrid Denney: Oregon 34, Utah 17

I think this one is ultimately going to be decided by whether Oregon can build an early lead or not. If the Ducks are able to play from ahead and can establish the run from the get-go, I don’t think Utah will be able to hang with them. I trust Dan Lanning’s squad to do that and win somewhat comfortably against a Utes squad that is simply missing too much firepower due to injury.