Oregon Ducks Looks to Shut Down TCU Horned Frogs

Two nationally ranked teams meet on Saturday in the Alamodome when the No. 10 ranked Texas Christian Horned Frogs play the No. 14 ranked Oregon Ducks in the Alamo Bowl. Both teams were a game or two away from playing in either a New Year’s Day bowl or in the College Football Playoff.

The current line has Oregon favored by 1 point with the over/under point total sitting on 77.5. During the regular season, Oregon had an overall record of 9-3 straight up and 7-5 against the spread. TCU during the season had a record of 10-2 SU and 6-6 ATS.

These are two high-octane offensive programs meeting on Saturday, which could make this one of the day’s most entertaining games, with the winner possibly the team that has possession last. Oregon is averaging 43.2 points per game, while TCU is scoring at 41.7 points per game clip.

Oregon’s defense can only be called shaky. The Ducks defense is allowing 36.8 points per game, despite winning six straight regular season games to end the season. However, with the up-tempo offense, the Ducks will look to outscore their opponents and not turn the ball over.

TCU’s Trevone Boykin, their senior quarterback has 3,575 passing yards with 31 touchdowns, but saw his hopes for a Heisman Trophy derailed by throwing four interceptions in a loss to Oklahoma State and a nagging injury to his ankle.

Oregon’s Royce Freeman, a sophomore at running back, has flown under the radar this season. Freeman has not been in the spotlight even though he has rushed for 1,705 yards with 14 touchdowns. This season alone, he ran for 100 yards or more in 10 games.

Vernon Adams the senior quarterback at Oregon injured his finger early this season, but finished with 2,445 yards passing and 25 touchdowns. Bralon Addison had 58 receptions with 10 touchdowns.

Josh Doctson a senior wide receiver for TCU was having a fantastic season with 79 receptions and 1,327 yards plus 14 touchdowns prior to breaking his wrist. He is questionable for this game and without him, Boykin’s options are greatly reduced.

Prediction: The Oregon Ducks are on a roll coming into this game and with their strong running attack featuring Freeman, they should be able to outscore TCU who could be shorthanded without Doctson or at least without him at full strength. The lean here is with Oregon less the point.