Tigers Are 2.5-Point Favorites in Auburn vs Oregon 2019 Season Opener
By Chris Amberley in College Football
Updated: March 30, 2020 at 3:32 pm EDTPublished:
- Auburn is a slight favorite over Oregon in the biggest game of the first full weekend of College Football
- The Tigers originally opened as a 6.5-point favorite at some offshore sportsbooks, but that number has been bet down to 2.5
- What’s the best bet for this marquee matchup?
The biggest game of the first full weekend of college football pits Auburn against Oregon, and the money is already pouring in on the underdog. The line opened as high as Auburn -6.5 at some offshore sportsbooks, but has been bet all the way down to 2.5.
Oregon vs Auburn NCAAF Week 1 Odds
| Team | NCAAF Week 1 Odds |
|---|---|
| Oregon Ducks | +2.5 (-110) |
| Auburn Tigers | -2.5 (-110) |
*Odds taken on 06/10/19
The game will take place on a neutral site at AT&T Stadium in Texas, and will be the first meeting between these teams since the BCS National Championship game in 2011. The line move in Oregon’s favor makes sense considering they’re seeded higher in the preseason rankings than Auburn and have much shorter National Championship Odds.
Is the Wrong Team Favored?
Oregon is a co-favorite to win the Pac-12, and the conference’s best threat to challenge for a spot in the Playoff. They’re loaded with playmakers on both sides of the ball, and feature one of the nation’s premier quarterbacks.
Justin Herbert may be a shoo-in first round pick in next year’s NFL Draft, but is he a lock to make it to New York City this fall? @InTheBleachers gives his take. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/0iJKawgVv6
— Campus Insiders (@CampusInsiders) June 4, 2019
The majority of the Ducks’ offense that averaged 35 points per game in 2018 is back this season, and they’ll have a legit shot of being the highest scoring team in the nation. Auburn, meanwhile, has yet to name a staring quarterback and Bo Nix may become the first true freshman to ever start a Tigers opener.
First TD for the young QB Bo Nix. Pretty throw to Eli Stove. 4-for-6 63 yards and 1 TD. #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/K15mT7KkIc
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) April 13, 2019
Auburn prefers a run heavy approach which plays right into the hands of an Oregon defensive line that allowed less than 4.0 yards a carry last season and forecasts as an elite unit this year. If the Tigers hope to start 2019 off with a victory it will have to be on the shoulders of Nix or fellow freshman Joey Gatewood, which is a lot to ask of an inexperience player.
All the Value is on Oregon
Since 2009, Oregon has racked up 70 wins which is the second most in the FBS. Their 2019 recruiting class was the highest rated in school history, and will only bolster a program that’s returning 17 starters. They have an aggressive, attacking defense and their offense can threaten 40 points on any given night.
Just the beginning. A league-high 1️⃣3️⃣ Ducks on the @AthlonSports Preseason All-Pac-12 squads. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/2R0OH6bThZ
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) May 24, 2019
Auburn’s no slouch, but they’e not expected to be in the Playoff conversation, while the Ducks are legit title contenders. Their preseason ranking his higher, their Championship odds are shorter, and after August 31st everyone will be wondering why they weren’t favored over the Tigers in the first place.
Pick: Oregon Duck +2.5 (-110)
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
