Are Oregon Ducks Favored to Beat Michigan Wolverines?

The Oregon Ducks play the reigning-National Champion Michigan Wolverines on the road at The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan has won three-straight Big Ten Titles but enter a new era at head coach. What are the odds Oregon beats the Wolverines?

Oregon running back Noah Whittington celebrates a touchdown as the Oregon Ducks host Colorado in the Pac-12 opener Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

The Oregon Ducks football team is nearing its first season in the Big Ten conference. The Ducks' schedule is relatively-favorable, as Oregon has home-field advantage when it hosts National Championship-contender Ohio State Buckeyes.

Oregon vs. Ohio State at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon is one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the 2024 season with major College Football Playoff implications on the line. The Ducks are underdogs vs. Ryan Day's Buckeyes.

Oregon running back Noah Whittington celebrates a touchdown as the Oregon Ducks host Colorado in the Pac-12 opener Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

But what about Oregon's matchup against the reigning-National Champion Michigan Wolverines? Oregon is 3.5-point favorites over the Wolverines at 'The Big House' in Ann Arbor, MI.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning is leading the Ducks into 2024 with the best transfer portal class in the Big Ten and an incoming recruiting class that ranks No. 3 in the nation. Best not overlook Oregon's experienced veterans like receiver Tez Johnson, tight end Terrance Ferguson, defensive end Jordan Burch, and linebacker Jeffrey Bassa.

Meanwhile, Michigan is entering a new era with former-coach Jim Harbaugh now taking over for the Los Angeles Chargers. Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore heads a team with a lot of turnover in 2024, including redshirt sophomore Alex Orji likely taking over as starting quarterback. Good news for the duel-threat Orji is Michigan returns center Greg Crippen and left tackle Andrew Gentry.

On defense for the Wolverines, look for star edge rusher Josaiah Stewart and safety Rod Moore who helped Michigan to allow only 10.4 points per game last season (best in D1 college football.) Oregon transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel will have his hands full.

The Wolverines have won three-straight Big Ten titles and will not be easy to beat.

Lanning's Ducks are preparing for their new conference with poise and purpose.

“My defensive guys know that we have to come in ready to work every day because we're going to have a target on our back from last season - whether that's playing the team that we've seen last season or playing a new team this season,” Bassa told Oregon SI's Bri Amaranthus. 

“We have coach Lanning as our head coach,” Bassa told Amaranthus. “No doubt we're going to be physical, it’s the mentality of this team… At the end of the day, it's going to be mano-a-mano. Who wants it more?”

The Ducks' speed on offense is balanced with its aggressive offensive line, full of returners, and physical brand of a menacing defensive line. To be the best, you've got to beat the best.

Oregon has an opportunity to show why it is a national contender on November 2nd, 2024 at Michigan.

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