Coming off a statement win against USC, the Utah Utes host the Oregon Ducks in a premier Week 9 NCAA football matchup this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. With its 34-32 win over USC, Utah (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) moved up to No. 13 in the latest AP Top 25. Oregon (6-1, 3-1) checks in at No. 8 after bouncing back from a loss to Washington with a 38-24 win over Washington State. Oregon is a favorite, and the game has an over/under of points.
Below, we take a closer look at Saturday’s Oregon vs. Utah matchup, with info on the odds, betting lines, and props for the Week 9 college football game.
Pac-12 title and College Football Playoff implications
Both of these programs are looking up at Pac-12 leader Washington (7-0, 4-0), which is ranked fifth nationally, but there is plenty of football left, and Utah has a head-to-head matchup against the Huskies on Nov. 11. The winner of this matchup will have a leg up toward qualifying for the Pac-12 Championship on Dec. 1, while losing could end either program’s hopes at a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Oregon vs. Utah, recent results
Utah handled Oregon by a score of 38-7 the last time the Ducks visited Salt Lake City in 2021. The Utes also beat Oregon — this time 38-10 — in the Pac-12 Championship in 2021. Oregon got some revenge with a 20-17 home win over Utah last November. The Ducks are seeking their first road win over their conference rivals since 2016 and are 9-7 all time at Utah. Oregon is headed to the Big Ten next season and Utah headed to the Big 12.
Oregon spread offense versus Utah defense
The Ducks continue to employ a fast-paced spread attack that is producing the second-most yards per game (523.7) and fifth-most points per game (41.3) in the nation this season. When they do run, they’re churning out a nation-best 6.2 yards per carry, and Bo Nix is an experienced quarterback with the highest completion rate (77.7%) in the nation. Utah’s defense is allowing just 16.3 points per game (12th in FBS) and leads the nation in opponents’ third-down conversion rate (24%) on the season. Utah’s defensive front owns the eighth-best sack rate (10.4%) in the nation.
Utah rushing attack versus Oregon defense
Teams have hardly attempted to run against Oregon, in part because the Ducks’ offense is scoring at such a high rate. The Ducks are allowing 86.3 rushing yards per game on 27.8 carries, but Washington running back Dillon Johnson was able to average 5.0 yards per carry en route to a 100-yard day in Oregon’s sole loss this season. Utah is running at the eighth-highest rate (62.6%) among FBS teams, with Sione Vaki and Ja’Quinden Jackson producing at a high clip. Establishing the run could be important for quarterback Bryson Barnes, who was effectively announced as the starter throughout the rest of the season when Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said Cam Rising (knee) will not play this year.
Oregon vs. Utah odds and betting lines
Oregon vs. Utah injury report
The Ducks lost starting running back Noah Whittington to a season-ending knee injury. Safety Bryan Addison has been away from the team for personal reasons. Linebacker Jestin Jacobs made his season debut against Washington State last weekend. Cornerbacks Khyree Jackson and Jahlil Florence have been able to play through undisclosed injuries.
Both Cam Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe are rehabbing after their respective knee surgeries, and Utah recently announced that neither player will return this season. The Utes have lost tight end Thomas Yassmin, receiver Mycah Pittman, and tailback Micah Bernard to season-ending injuries. Running back Charlie Vincent has been out since Sept. 29.
