Published Dec 16, 5:04pm ET by
Gabriel Kozlow - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Dec 16, 5:04pm ET
Updated Dec 16, 5:04pm ET
The James Madison Dukes have a tough task ahead as they head to Autzen Stadium to face the mighty Oregon Ducks in the CFP First Round. This will be their first-ever meeting, and Oregon looks ready to use this game as a springboard to the next round.
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|
|---|---|
| OREGON DUCKS | -2400 |
| JAMES MADISON DUKES | +1200 |
The Dukes are headed to Oregon as big-time underdogs for their first-round CFP matchup. The current spread is set at +21, despite their great regular season at 12–1 so far. They’ll need everything they can get from their rushing game, as they rank 5th in the nation in rushing yardage.
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Wayne Knight, their top RB, posted 1,263 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns this season. He’s one of the main reasons why the Dukes are so dangerous on the ground, giving them a strong alternative to their passing attack.
The Oregon Ducks have had an almost perfect season so far, losing only one game all year. Their sole loss came against Indiana; however, they picked up big wins over Penn State, Iowa, USC, and Minnesota.
Oregon is currently ranked as one of the better defensive teams in the nation, especially with its strong passing defense. They also rank near the top in offense, sitting 9th in total points per game at 39.2. They’ll be looking to set the tone at home from the start and show James Madison who’s boss.
Oregon has what it takes to make a deep run in these playoffs, so James Madison shouldn’t be much of an issue. The real question is whether the Ducks can cover the 21-point spread they’ve been given in the betting markets. The over/under for this game is 48.5.
We expect Oregon to cover the spread, as they have both the momentum and the home-field advantage. James Madison had a great year, but now they face a true powerhouse—so we’ll see how they respond on the big stage.
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Pick
Oregon -21
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