Count on seeing plenty of Oregon Ducks this 2011 college football season as they attempt to follow up on last years college football predictions, a 12-0 regular season run, 2010 Pac-12 Championship and a No. 2 finish in the polls following a narrow loss to Auburn in the 2011 BCS Championship Game. Much of the same is expected as 2011 college football predictions media are calling for at least a repeat in the Pac-10. The Ducks will be challenged early as they open their 2011 campaign against the 4th ranked LSU Tigers at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sept. 3.
Folks wishing to wager the game with LSU early might have to wait a few days until school officials and police clear up a major off field incident allegedly involving up to 50 players including starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson. The game is currently off the college football Week-1 board at offshore sports shops including sports book Justbet.cx. Some Las Vegas books list the Ducks as 1.5 chalk favorites.
It’s not surprising why the Ducks are such heavy favorites to win the inaugural Pac-12 championship with all the talent they have coming back. Topping the list of returnees are two 2011 Heisman Trophy candidates, Quarterback Darron Thomas and LaMichael James, who was a finalist for the award last year. James is the reigning Doak Walker Award winner and is on the 40-man watch list for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award. Thomas is currently on the Davey O’Brien Award watch list that recognizes the best college quarterback.
Oregon's offense gets more credit than it probably deserves. Did you ever hear the cliche' "defense wins championship?" There’s plenty of quality on the unit with linebacker Josh Kaddu expected to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Kaddu is on the Butkus Award watch list while safety John Boyett is among 37 named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list. The award recognizes college football’s top defensive back.
Oregon Ducks 2011 College Football Predictions and Odds:
(odds provided courtesy of JustBet.cx
Total Ducks 2011 wins (over/under):10 Over (+130) Under 10 (-160)
Ducks odds to win Pac-12 North: +100
Ducks odds to win Pac-12 Championship: +175
Ducks odds to win BCS Championship: +1000
LaMichael James 2011 Heisman Trophy odds: +600
Darron Thomas 2011 Heisman Trophy odds: +3000
