Oregon Ducks vs Auburn Tigers: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX

When: Saturday, August 31st at 7:30 pm EST

How to Watch: (TV): ABC

Oregon Ducks (Away)

For the 11th time in the last 12 years we’ll open the season ranked in the @AP_Top25. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/I0XAFPPzts

— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) August 19, 2019

Head Coach: Mario Cristobal {All-Time: 36-52 | FIU, ORE}

Regular Season Record (2018): 8-4

With quarterback Justin Herbert declining first-round money for one last season in Eugene, the Oregon Ducks have their sights set on a Pac-12 title in 2019. Herbert should be well protected by a line that is projected to start four fifth-year seniors, with Calvin Throckmorton and Shane Lemieux headlining that group. With a twin-headed rushing attack of C.J. Verdell and Travis Dye, along with a stable of explosive receivers, the Ducks should be able to build on last year’s 25th ranked scoring offense.

The defense should also be a potent group, with middle linebacker Troy Dye leading the pack. Defensive backs Jevon Holland and Thomas Graham Jr. will look to replicate their performances from last year to maintain Oregon’s no-fly-zone, where the Ducks managed to rank 11th in the country in interceptions with 17 picks. Lastly, top recruit Kayvon Thibodeaux is projected to start against Auburn and should not surprise anyone if he wreaks havoc from the get-go.

Auburn Tigers (Home)

One week away!! Let’s Ride!!#WarEagle | #RidefortheBrand pic.twitter.com/lzGJinnLcQ

— Coach Gus Malzahn (@CoachGusMalzahn) August 24, 2019

Head Coach: Gus Malzahn {All-Time: 62-30 | ARST, AUB}

Regular Season Record (2018): 7-5

With just one 10 plus win season since Auburn’s 2013 championship game appearance in his first season, coach Gus Malzahn is under immense pressure to contend in the brutal SEC West Division. The Tigers will be breaking in a true freshman quarterback in Bo Nix, who will, fortunately, work behind an all-senior offensive line that includes preseason All-SEC selection, Prince Tega Wanogho Jr. at left tack.

Nix will also get help from leading rusher JaTarvious Whitlow as well as top returning receiver Seth Williams, who should not have issues improving on last year’s production of 26 receptions for 534 yards and five touchdowns.

Last year’s 14th ranked scoring defense should once again be formidable, with redshirt junior defensive end Nick Coe hungry for more than the seven sacks he notched in 2018. Junior cornerback Noah Igbinoghene will look to make quarterbacks pay for throwing his way, by turning some of his 11 pass breakups from last season into interceptions, which could also be said for fellow corner Javaris Davis.

Check out the Auburn Tigers 2019 team preview.

All-Time Series

These two schools have met just once prior to this game, with that lone meeting being the 2010 national championship game where the Cam Newton-led Tigers won 22-19 on a game-winning field goal from Wes Byrum. The Ducks were led by former coach Chip Kelly, now at UCLA, while the champion Tigers had Malzahn’s predecessor, Gene Chizik, at the helm.

Oregon Roster Notes

Redshirt junior tight end Cam McCormick has been limited in practice with an ankle injury but is expected to play.

Freshman receiver Mycah Pittman is out 6-8 weeks with a shoulder injury suffered during a scrimmage.

Freshman receiver J.R. Waters is out 4-6 weeks after undergoing foot surgery earlier this month.

Senior receiver Brenden Schooler is out 5-7 weeks with a foot injury.

Auburn Roster Notes

Sophomore receiver Anthony Schwartz is questionable with a hand injury.

Head-to-Head: Kayvon Thibodeaux (ORE) vs Prince Tega Wanogho (AUB)

One of the most interesting things to look out for in college football is how highly rated recruits are able to adapt to the college game. There is no better game to watch than this one for that purpose, as Oregon’s Kayvnon Thibodeaux is expected to line up against a seasoned blindside protector in Auburn’s Prince Tega Wanogho.

Kayvon Thibodeaux

Defensive End | 6-5, 242lb | Oaks Christian School | Westlake Village, CA | Freshman

Senior Year HS Stats: 54 Total Tackles | 18.0 Sacks | 5 Forced Fumbles

Arguably the best defensive line prospect since South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney, Thibodeaux already has the physical tools to make an impact early in his career as Clowney did. His ability to get to the quarterback is uncanny, with the South Central LA native racking up 54 sacks in his high school career. Although he will be taking on stronger, more athletic offensive linemen in college, he will only get better athletically and fundamentally as he progresses through Oregon’s strength and conditioning program.

Prince Tega Wanogho

Left Tackle | 6-7, 305lb | Edgewood Academy | Montgomery, AL | Redshirt Senior

2018 Stats: 13 Starts | 2018 All-SEC 1st Team (Pro Football Focus)

After coming to Auburn as a defensive lineman, Prince Tega Wanogho has caught the attention of NFL scouts with his ideal frame for an NFL tackle. A Nigerian immigrant, Wanogho has used his quickness developed from basketball to allow him to excel in pass protection to make up for his blocking technique which is a work in progress. A strong performance in Saturday’s game could go a long way in improving his current draft stock, where he is projected as a mid-round pick.

Oregon vs Auburn Predictions and Odds

If you are in New Jersey you can bet on Oregon vs Auburn by visiting 888Sport or BetStars NJ. Find the latest odds for the game below. Good luck!

Point Spread

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Total Points

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Money Line

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