Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan Wolverines Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 2nd 2024

Preview and Prediction

The top-ranked Oregon Ducks will strive to maintain their perfect record this Saturday afternoon as they take on the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Ducks (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) are one of only eight remaining undefeated teams in the country. This is also the first time since 2013 and the fifth time in program history that they have achieved an 8-0 record.

If they secure a win at the Big House this weekend, it will mark the first time since 2012 and the third time in program history that the Ducks have started the season 9-0. They have a 7-1 record in games as the top-ranked team in the country.

After a dominant performance on both offense and defense in their 38-9 victory over then-No. 20 Illinois last week, the Ducks boast the nation's most accurate quarterback in Dillon Gabriel, with a completion percentage of 76.2. They also rank 10th in the nation in total defense, allowing an average of only 15.6 points per game.

Gabriel has thrown a total of 143 touchdown passes and is only 13 away from breaking Case Keenum's all-time NCAA record. Keenum played for the Houston Cougars from 2007-2011.

According to their sports information department, Oregon is the only school with three wins over teams currently in the Top 25 (No. 4 Ohio State, No. 15 Boise State, No. 24 Illinois). They have also emerged victorious in their last two meetings with Michigan.

This week, the Ducks will make their second trip to the East as new members of the Big Ten, as they head to Ann Arbor to face the reigning national champions, the Wolverines.

"We have the opportunity to play against the defending national champions, right? And in this conference, every week is a challenge, so we know we will face their best," said Oregon coach Dan Lanning. "It's exciting to have a chance. We have played some fun and challenging games so far this year, and this will definitely be a test."

Michigan (5-3, 3-2) is coming off a 24-17 victory over Michigan State at home last week. However, the game ended with a fight on the field between players from both teams, which is currently being investigated by the Big Ten.

Among those involved in the scuffle was tight end Colston Loveland, who ranks in the top three all-time at Michigan in receptions (103), yards (1,295), and touchdowns (10) among tight ends.

"It is unacceptable and not how we carry ourselves," said Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore on Monday. "We will address this internally. This is not how we represent the University of Michigan... We will take care of it, and it will never happen again."

Michigan is facing a tough stretch of games ahead, with Oregon at home and No. 13 Indiana and No. 4 Ohio State on the road as three of their final four regular-season games.

Davis Warren is expected to remain the starting quarterback for Michigan, with Alex Orji also getting some playing time. Jack Tuttle, who made a start at quarterback earlier this season, announced his retirement from football on Monday due to concussions.

This Saturday will mark the 21st time that Michigan has faced the top-ranked team in the national rankings. The Wolverines have a record of 3-16-1 in these games, with all three of their victories coming at Michigan Stadium, according to the school's sports information department.

PREDICTION

Oregon Ducks

Michigan Wolverines

Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan Wolverines Recap NOV 2TH 2024

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw for a touchdown and ran for another and Jordan James rushed for a touchdown as part of his 117 yards, leading No. 1 Oregon to a 38-17 win over Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Saturday.

Noah Whittington added two rushing touchdowns for the Ducks (9-0 overall, 6-0 in Big Ten), as Oregon built an 18-point lead at halftime and remained in control in the second half. The Ducks lost top wide receiver Tez Johnson to an upper body injury early in the game, and a fumble on special teams led to Michigan's first touchdown. But Oregon overcame those and dominated on both sides of the ball.

Oregon is 9-0 to open the season for the first time since 2012 and third time in program history. The Ducks improved to 8-1 in games as the country's top-ranked team.

Oregon scored four touchdowns on five first-half possessions, the last of the four on Gabriel's 23-yard touchdown run. The Ducks' first touchdown appeared to be an incomplete two-yard pass to Evan Stewart, but the play was not reviewed.

Gabriel, a Heisman Trophy contender, completed 22 of 34 pass attempts for 294 yards.

Davis Warren was 13-of-23 for 165 yards with two touchdown passes for Michigan (5-4, 3-3). His six-yard touchdown pass to Peyton O'Leary on third-and-goal midway through the third quarter made it 28-17.

Oregon's defense had allowed nine total points in the past two games, but the Wolverines were able to find some success moving the ball. Michigan just couldn't limit Oregon's offense, and an illegal formation penalty as Oregon was set to punt the ball away in the third quarter gave the Ducks possession again.

That drive produced Atticus Sappington's 26-yard field goal with 36 seconds to play in the third quarter for a 31-17 lead.

Michigan had a chance to make it a one-score game midway through the fourth quarter, but a trick play on fourth-and-five from the Ducks' 10-yard line fell incomplete for a turnover on downs with 7:24 to play. Oregon then drove 90 yards for a game-sealing touchdown, a two-yard run from James.