UCLA Bruins Oregon Ducks Prediction and Odds 

In a matchup between two top-ten teams, the (#9) UCLA Bruins will head to Eugene to take on the (#10) Oregon Ducks. Although they have the 79th most manageable schedule per College Football Reference, UCLA is undefeated this season and is 6-0 for the first time since 2005. The Bruins enjoyed a bye week heading into this top-ten clash, but proved their worth in Week 6 with a tough home victory against the then (#11) Utah Utes. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, or “DTR” for short, passed for 299 yards and four touchdowns to become the Bruins’ career leader in passing touchdowns. Running back Zach Charbonnet also had a productive day, rushing for a career-high 198 yards.

Meanwhile, the Ducks have won five straight since an embarrassing Week 1 defeat to the Georgia Bulldogs. Oregon has scored 41 plus points in five straight games, concluded by a 49 spot at Arizona last Friday. Quarterback Bo Nix, a transfer from Auburn, threw for 265 yards while accounting for three rushing touchdowns. The Ducks scored on seven consecutive drives to build a 49-13 lead in the third quarter. They would go on to win 29-22, their second straight double-digit victory over a Pac-12 opponent.

UCLA Bruins vs. Oregon Ducks Betting Odds

Lines provided by BetMGM Sportsbook

Tale of the Tape

Head coach Chip Kelly, a trailblazer for the tempo zone run game from 2007-2012, is building UCLA into a West Coast powerhouse. With a win on Saturday, the Bruins will most likely find themselves within the top five of the AP poll for the first time in 21 years. The offense runs through superstar Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The quarterback leads the Pac-12 in pass completion percentage (74.8), passing yards per attempt (9.3), and passer efficiency rating (180.8). The passing game is easily one of the most efficient in the country, yet the running attack is almost equally as good. The Bruins average 211 rushing yards per game, good for 20th in the FBS. Running backs Zach Charbonnet and T.J. Harden (questionable) averaged over six yards per rush.

Defensively, the Bruins have been excellent under defensive coaches Bill McGovern, Ken Norton Jr., and Kenny Norton III. The front seven has dominated the line of scrimmage, allowing only three yards per rushing attempt, good enough for 11th in the FBS. The secondary isn’t necessarily overpowering, but they are part of a defense that causes 2.4 turnovers per game.

The Oregon Ducks are riding high under new head coach and Kirby Smart disciple Dan Lanning. The two-time national champion defensive coordinator at Georgia has brought a new spark to the Ducks alongside former Auburn star QB Bo Nix. Nix is the Pac-12 leader in rushing yards per attempt at 8.3. He is joined in the top ten category by teammates Mar’Keise Irving (7.2) and Noah Wittington (6.5). The Ducks rank within the top ten in the FBS in total yards per game and average yards per play.

The Ducks’ defense has dominated the run game. Oregon allows only 3.7 yards per rush attempt and a conference-best 98 rushing yards per game. However, the secondary has lagged, allowing a conference-worst 275.3 air yards a game on 67% completion.

UCLA Bruins vs. Oregon Ducks Prediction

One of Week 8’s best matchups is fixing to be a shootout in Eugene. UCLA houses a Heisman candite in “DTR”, while Oregon is pacing to be one of the best rushing attacks in the country. Unfortunately, the Ducks have holes in the secondary, which is bad news with a high-powered UCLA offense coming to town. Meanwhile, the Bruins are yet to face a test as daunting as the Oregon run game. Offensive star power should be on full display on Saturday.

Prediction: Over 70.5 (-110)