Oregon Football Schedule 2016: Game-By-Game Predictions


Oregon football schedule predictions and early game-by-game preview for 2016. Projecting how the Ducks will do this year.


Oregon had a disastrous season – and it still won nine games. Can the Ducks turn it around and be a player in the Pac-12 title chase? Here are Oregon football schedule predictions for every game this season.

Sept. 3 vs. UC Davis

UC Davis will be lambs – or Aggies – for the slaughter. The Ducks will want to prove something in the opener – or, at the very least, will get the quarterback situation into a groove. It’ll be target practice.

Preseason Prediction: Oregon 62, UC Davis 6

Sept. 10 vs. Virginia

The Ducks will be humming against a Virginia team that doesn’t have the firepower to keep up. The Cavalier defense will keep this close for about a half, and then in the blink of an eye Oregon will score three times in the second half to turn this into a laugher.

Preseason Prediction: Oregon 44, Virginia 17

Sept. 17 at Nebraska

The Huskers will be looking to come up with a big, splashy, Nebraska Is Back moment that turns everything around in the Mike Riley era. There’s one big problem – the Nebraska defensive line isn’t going to be up to its needed snuff. Oregon won’t dominate, but it’ll be comfortable in the second half.

Preseason Prediction: Oregon 34, Nebraska 24

Sept. 24 vs. Colorado

The Buffs will be far, far better this year – just not enough to take down Oregon in Autzen Stadium. Unlike most Duck games when it takes them a little while to get the machine rolling, this will be over three drives in – Colorado won’t be able to keep up the pace.

Preseason Prediction: Oregon 41, Colorado 17

Oct. 1 at Washington State

You don’t think the Ducks will be looking a wee bit ahead to this game after losing 45-38 last season, do you? The Cougars will get the offense going again this year, too, but the Oregon offense will blow up in a wild and crazy shootout.

Preseason Prediction: Oregon 52, Washington State 41

Oct. 8 vs. Washington

Welcome to the Pac-12’s most important matchup over the next several seasons. Washington will lose to Stanford the week before, and it won’t have quite enough in the second half in a wonderful battle in Autzen.

Preseason Prediction: Oregon 27, Washington 23

Oct. 21 at California

The Ducks need a week off after dealing with the Huskies, and they’ll look like it in Berkeley. Cal gets a week off, too, but its defensive front won’t get into the backfield enough to keep down the Oregon offense.

Preseason Prediction: Oregon 45, California 27

Oct. 29 vs. Arizona State

The unbeaten Ducks will be in the CFP top three with everything there for the taking, and they’ll keep it going with one of their best performances of the year with a dominant day against a good ASU team. The Sun Devils will be far better than the final score will appear.

Preseason Prediction: Oregon 48, Arizona State 20

Nov. 5 at USC

All eyes will be on LA for the showdown that might turn out to be a Pac-12 Championship preview. The Trojans should be fresher after a week off, followed up by a home game against Cal. The defense will get tough against the Oregon ground game while winning the turnover margin. It’ll be one of the better games of the conference season.

Preseason Prediction: USC 31, Oregon 27

Nov. 12 vs. Stanford

What’s grown into the Pac-12’s best and most important rivalry over the last few seasons should be yet another contrast in styles. By this point in the year, the Cardinal will be past all of their experience problems – it won’t matter. These Ducks will handle the power this week, but …

Preseason Prediction: Oregon 37, Stanford 31

Nov. 19 at Utah

They won’t be able to handle the Utes the week after. Oregon will be beaten up and a bit gassed, while Utah will be just a week removed from its week off. In the final home game of the year, the Utes will be terrific.

Preseason Prediction: Utah 34, Oregon 30

Nov. 26 at Oregon State

The Civil War always goes beyond the talent – at least that’s the belief. However, the Beavers haven’t won the thing since 2007, and they won’t do it this year, either. The OSU defense should be terrific, but the offense won’t be able to keep pace like it did last year in the 52-42 loss.

Preseason Prediction: Oregon 41, Oregon State 27

2016 Prediction: 10-2
2016 Pac-12 Prediction: 6-2


MORE: 2016 Preseason College Football Rankings, No. 1-128