While the Oregon Ducks enter the season with National Championship hopes, the schedule will provide plenty of hurdles and tests to overcome. The Non-Conference schedule isn't the toughest as Oregon won't play a marquee matchup, but the Ducks will have a different test. After embarrassing the Cowboys last season, Oregon will face a new-look Oklahoma State team this season.
Mike Gundy was fired early in the season, and the Pokes turned to one of the countries best offensive minds in Eric Morris to take over the program. In this new era, the Transfer Portal makes Morris' job much easier as he brought key pieces with him to reload the roster. Star QB Drew Mestemaker, RB Caleb Hawkins, and WR Wyatt Young highlight a new look roster for Oklahoma State meaning they'll have the talent to compete as Morris takes over at the helm.
Vegas oddsmakers issue a stern warning to Oregon ahead of Oklahoma State game
While the Oklahoma State game last season resembled a tune-up game with the Ducks handing out a 69-3 beatdown, this season will be much different. The new coaching staff for the Cowboys will bring optimism and the rebuilt roster is catching the attention of national analysts and now the oddsmakers.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Oregon Ducks enter the matchup with Oklahoma State as 17.5 point favorites. The points total is set at 58.5 points in what could end up being a track meet with the offensive firepower.
All lines and odds are subject to change
While you never head into a game expecting a cake walk, the Oregon Ducks likely won't get it this year against the Cowboys. Oklahoma State clearly saw the way their program was trending, and made the change at the top to ensure that they didn't become an irrelevant program nationally.
Oregon will likely be the first true test for how this Cowboys roster will end up landing as Eric Morris is experiementing with his roster construction. Morris in many ways is taking a Group of 5 team and moving them to the Power 4 as he brings a large portion of his North Texas team with him to the Big 12.
Drew Mestemaker became one of the Nation's best quarterbacks last season, but he'll now face much steeper competition on a weekly basis. Caleb Hawkins went from an unknown to a superstar running back as a true freshman, but it'll be hard to rush for 1,434 yards again against tougher defenses. Wyatt Young was the go to weapon for Mestemaker with 1,264 yards, and will look to remain highly productive in the Big 12.
If Oklahoma State is going to pull off the major upset, it's going to be because they turn the game into a track meet. Luckily for Oregon, the Ducks have elite firepower of their own with the offense led by Dante Moore. Where Oregon can likely eliminate the threat of Oklahoma State is in the trenches where the Ducks have elite talent compared to the Cowboys who aren't going to have the top end talent.
Dan Lanning knows more than anyone how to get a team up to play every game, and the Ducks should eliminate the upset threat, but it won't be a cake walk.
Add us as a preferred source on Google