California Golden Bears at No. 9 Oregon Ducks
Thursday, 10/6/11, 9:00 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Oregon -24.5
Current Betting Line: Oregon -24
Opening Total: 59
Current Total: 62.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
California resumes its 2011 season after a bye week and takes on the Oregon Ducks in a prime-time Thursday night battle inside Autzen Stadium. The Golden Bears are coming off a 31-23 road loss to the Washington Huskies as one-point road underdogs despite winning the statistical battle by 48 yards. Many around the program are drawing confidence from last year’s 15-13 setback against the Ducks, as the defense allowed just 15 points and 317 yards to one of the more powerful offensive units in the league. The Golden Bears hold a 39-32-2 lead in the all-time series, but have dropped the last two. Cal is 4-9 ATS on the road and the ‘under’ holds a slight 7-6 advantage in those contests.
The Golden Bears know it must win the battle up front defensively, as the Ducks lead the Pac-12 Conference in gaining 299.5 rushing yards, while their defense ranks second in the conference in limiting opponents to just 78.2. California has played 30 nationally ranked teams during the Jeff Tedford era, posting a 13-17 mark in those contests. Offensively, the team is led by a talented wide receiver duo, as both Keenan Allen and Marvin Jones rank in the top six in receptions and receiving yards in the conference.
Oregon enters this game on a three-game win streak after dropping a 40-27 season-opening contest to the LSU Tigers as three-point neutral-site favorites. The Ducks actually out-gained the nation’s No. 1 team at this time by 62 yards. Running back LaMichael James is starting to get going again, as he gained just 54 yards in the opener, but is now leading all players nationally with 153.3 yards per contest. “I’m just really happy with the way the line blocked, without those guys I wouldn’t be anything,” stated James this week. Oregon is 2-0 ATS as a favorite of 21.5 to 31 points the last two-plus seasons.
The Ducks have won eight of nine against the Bears inside Thursday night’s venue since 1989, while eight of the last 11 series meetings have been decided by 10 points or less. Oregon is really on a roll as a program, winning its last 13 conference games, while averaging 49.5 points per game during its current 18-game home winning streak. Quarterback Darron Thomas has been a nice compliment to James, throwing for a touchdown pass in 17 consecutive games. The offense line has done a tremendous job in leading the nation in fewest sacks allowed.
Bettors will likely back the Golden Bears due to their 20-6-1 ATS mark as an underdog of 10.5 or more points, while the Ducks are 1-5 ATS on Thursdays.
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