Fresno St Bulldogs at #4 Oregon Ducks
Saturday, September 8, 2012, 6:30 pm Eastern, TV: Pac 12 Network
Autzen Stadium – Eugene, Oregon
Opening Line: Oregon -33 1/2
Current Line: Oregon -35
Opening Total: 73 1/2
Current Total: 77 1/2
Opening Money Line: Oregon -21500 / Fresno St +8000
Current Money Line: Oregon -23000 / Fresno St +8500

The #4 Oregon Ducks host  the Fresno St Bulldogs in week 2 of the college football season. The Ducks lead the all-time series 6-2 against the Bulldogs, including 4-1 in Eugene. Oregon has won 6 straight in the series. The last meeting between the schools was in 2007, with Oregon winning at home 52-21. Fresno has traditionally played Oregon tough in Eugene with 3 of their 4 losses by 4 points or less. Fresno St hasn’t beaten Oregon since a 10-4 victory in 1982.

Fresno St is coached by Tim DeRuyter, in his first year as Bulldogs head coach. He had previously been the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M, and served as the interim coach in the Aggies’ bowl game last year when Mike Sherman was fired.

DeRuyter got off to a good start last week as Fresno St beat Weber St 37-10 in Fresno. The Bulldogs were 21 point favorites. Fresno St jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the second quarter before Weber St got on the board with a field goal. Fresno St added a field goal to make the halftime score 24-3. Weber pulled to within 24-10 in the third quarter but wouldn’t score again. The Bulldogs added two fourth quarter touchdowns to complete the rout, though Weber did block an extra point.

Fresno St had 515 total yards including 217 rushing yards. The Bulldogs held the Wildcats to 274 total yards including 67 rushing yards. Weber St had the only turnover of the game. Both teams had too many penalties with a combined 13 for 129 yards.

Fresno St quarterback Derek Carr completed 20 of 25 passes for 298 yards with 2 touchdowns. Running back Robbie Rouse had 22 carries, 123 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Milton Knox also added a rushing touchdown. Redshirt freshman receiver Davante Adams had 7 catches for 118 yards with 2 touchdowns. Isaiah Burse had 6 catches for 86 yards.

Oregon is coached by Chip Kelly. The Ducks opened at home last week against Arkansas St, who won the Sun Belt Conference championship last year. Oregon was a 37.5 point favorite at home and the total was 70 points. The Ducks went out to a 50-10 halftime lead and looked well on their way to covering the huge number. However, Arkansas St outscored the Ducks 24-7 in the second half to stay within the number 57-34.

Oregon had 605 total yards including 297 rushing yards. The Red Wolves had 530 total yards including 226 rushing yards. Arkansas St had 3 turnovers and Oregon had one. The two teams combined for 14 penalties for 132 yards.

Redshirt freshman quarterback  Marcus Mariota made his first career start last week for the Ducks. He was 18 for 22 passing for 200 yards with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions, along with 24 rushing yards. he led the Ducks to touchdowns on his first 7 drives as a college quarterback. That isn’t a bad start, I suppose.  Back-up Bryan Bennett threw a touchdown and a interception in the second half. He was 10 for 17 passing for 108 yards. Running back Kenjon Barner had 9 carries, 66 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Byron Marshall had 24 carries, 64 yards, and a touchdown. DeAnthony Thomas had 3 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown run, along with 4 catches, 55 yards, and 2 touchdown catches. Josh Huff and Rahsaan Vaughn also caught touchdowns for the Ducks.

Oregon has won 17 straight home games against unranked opponents dating back to 2008. Fresno St has lost 14 straight games to ranked opponents, the last three by a combined score of 150-36.

The Bulldogs are 5-0 ATS on field turf, 5-1 in road games, and in road games against teams with winning home records, 4-1 after gaining 450 total yards, 12-4 after allowing less than 100 rushing yards, 13-5-1 after allowing 275 total yards or less, 3-14-1 after throwing for more than 280 yards, 1-6 after a cover, 1-7 after rushing for 200 yards or more, 0-5 against Pac 12 teams, 0-4 after a straight up win of 20 points or more.

The Ducks are 5-0-1 ATS after failing to cover, 4-1-1 against teams with winning records, 18-7-1 after throwing for 280 yards or more, 1-3-1 after rushing for 200 or more yards, and overall, 1-4-2 at home, 0-3-1 on fieldturf, and after a straight-up win of 20 points or more.

Oregon should roll in this game, but I could see another backdoor cover situation like what happened with Arkansas St last week. Fresno St can score, but they will have no answer for the explosive Duck’s offense.

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