Free College Football Picks Today: California Golden Bears vs Oregon Ducks 10/29/22

The No. 8 University of Oregon Ducks (6-1, 4-0 Pac-12), the Pac-12 Conference’s top rushing offense, travel to face the University of California Golden Bears (3-4, 1-3 Pac-12), one of the conference’s weakest ground defenses, at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

The Ducks are 17-point favorites, and the total is 58.5. Oregon is coming off an impressive 45-30 win over No. 9 UCLA at Autzen Stadium last Saturday, their sixth consecutive victory. Bo Nix was 22 of 28 for 283 yards and five touchdowns. Bucky Irving ran 19 times for 107 yards.

He added three receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown. Troy Franklin caught eight passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns. California dropped a third straight game last Saturday, falling 28-21 to No. 21 Washington at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium. Jack Plummer threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns. DeCarlos Brooks carried 10 times for 43 yards. J.Michael Sturdivant scored twice. He hauled in eight receptions for 104 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Ducks won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 24-17 victory in October. Anthony Brown tossed one touchdown for Oregon, as Travis Dye added a rushing TD. Chase Garbers tossed two touchdowns for California.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Ducks are averaging 42.4 points per game for the season, seventh in FBS, and they are facing a Golden Bears defense that has surrendered 22.6 PPG (43rd). Meanwhile, California has scored 23.3 points a game this season, 101st in the country, and Oregon is allowing 29.0 PPG (87th).

The Ducks rank as one of the nation’s top teams in rushing yards per game (244.6, 5th), while they are 36th in passing yards (272.6). The Golden Bears are 116th in passing yards allowed per game (275.1) and 28th against the run (117.4).

California is 57th in the country in passing yards per game (251.6) and 106th in rushing (119.0). Oregon’s defense has been strong on the ground, as the Ducks are 19th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (110.6). Against the pass, the Ducks are 115th (273.4).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through seven games, Bo Nix has thrown for 17 touchdowns (3 INT) and 258.4 yards per game to lead Oregon in passing. In three away games this season, he has three TDs (3 INT) and an average of 288.7 yards passing. Bucky Irving leads the team in rushing with an average of 76.6 yards a game over seven games. He has two touchdowns on the ground and two through the air.

Troy Franklin is the Ducks’ leading receiver with 80.1 yards a game and five TDs. Jack Plummer has 12 passing touchdowns (3 INT) with 250.6 yards per game through seven games to lead California. In four home games this season, he has thrown for 10 TDs (2 INT) and an average of 259.0 yards.

Jaydn Ott has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 88.3 yards a game through seven games. He has seven total touchdowns, five rushing and two receiving. Jeremiah Hunter has been a key target in the Golden Bears’ aerial attack. He has two touchdowns and a 74.7 yard per game average through six appearances.