California Golden Bears vs. Oregon Ducks Odds & Game Pick (2021)

Conference play is officially off to the races as most PAC-12 teams enter their third week of playing one another. Out in the Northwest, the Oregon Ducks looked to be the team’s best chance at the CFP before stumbling to Stanford two weeks ago. For the Golden Bears, the rebuild continues as a 1-4 start doesn’t appear as it will get better anytime soon.

Let’s take a closer look at this Friday night matchup between PAC-12 North foes.

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Details

• Opening Line: Ducks -15, O/U 55.5
• Current Line: Ducks -13.5, O/U 53.5

Overview 

When it rained it poured for the Ducks, as they not only lost to unranked Stanford on October 2nd, but they lost two key players for the remainder of the season. Leading rusher and NFL hopeful CJ Verdell was lost for the season with a leg injury, while starting DB Bennett Williams suffered a broken fibula.

In the coaching booth, offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead was unable to call plays vs. Stanford as he was in the hospital with COVID-related issues, and will once again be out this week as running back coach Jim Mastro has play-calling duties.

For the Golden Bears, the offense ebbs and flows with quarterback Chase Garbers, who through five games has a touchdown to interception ratio of 7:5 to go along with 1,245 yards through the air.

On the defensive side of the ball, Cal has struggled mightily, allowing 400.6 yards per game including 281 through the air to rank near the bottom of the country in that category.

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Trends 

• Under is 4-0 in Golden Bear’s L4 Friday night games
• Ducks 7-3 ATS in L10 vs. Golden Bears

Bottom Line

In what will be a revenge game for the Ducks who somehow surrendered the Golden Bears’ last win in the PAC-12 last season 21-17, I love them getting back on track in this one. While quarterback Anthony Brown has been inconsistent, the week off last week should be great for him as the offense regrouped and had more than enough time to prepare for this one-dimensional Cal defense.

Despite the calls to see backup freshman Ty Thompson, Brown has just one interception on the season and is has done what so many in the PAC-12 have failed to do; protect the ball.

Pick: Ducks 13.5

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Johnny Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Johnny, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.