Scott Spreitzer

(167) ARIZONA STATE (+18.5, ov50.0)
(168) OREGON (-18.5, un50.0)
Saturday, Nov 14 2009, 07:20 PM PST
Take " (168) OREGON "
I'm laying the points with the Oregon Ducks on Saturday night. I went against the Ducks and cashed with Stanford for my Shocker GOY on these pages last week. The Ducks were not only in a tough spot off the win over USC, but they were playing on the road against a quality opponent. The Ducks are now looking at a Rose Bowl berth, but can't let-up for a second if they wish for the trip to Pasadena to come to fruition. By all indications, including interviews with the coaching staff, the Oregon players are looking forward to getting back on the field...and they have re-instated RB LeGarrette Blount. He may not make a big impact on the field, after all, he's practicing as the team's fifth string RB. But it does put a close to the situation, and QB Jeremiah Masoli has said it's a huge relief for the team. LeMichael James has been outstanding in place of Blount, topping 1,000-yards on the season. The offense put 42 points on the board in last week's loss. They actually out-gained Stanford, 570-505. Masoli was unstoppable, throwing for 334-yards with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. And the team ran for 6.9-yards per carry. The problems were on defense. Oregon, like most of Stanford's opponents, couldn't slow RB Toby Gerhart. But the Ducks get "just what the doctor ordered," this week. Arizona State is a down football team. The offense has not looked too hot all season, and starting QB Danny Sullivan was benched last week during the USC game. HC Dennis Erickson hasn't named this week's starter, but it doesn't matter to me. Sullivan is mediocre, and possible starter Brock Osweiler is a true freshman, who would be making his first collegiate start in Eugene, Oregon. Talk about a tough place for a debut! The freshman isn't ready for prime time. He's 19-45, 42% this season, getting sacked once every Nine pass attempts. The offense has been stuck in neutral for most of the season. After beating out-manned Idaho State and UL-Monroe, ASU has averaged just 18.43 ppg in their last seven contests, going 2-5 SU. The Sun Devil defense has kept them in games, not to mention mediocre opposition like Washington and Washington State. But ASU couldn't even move the ball against a noticeably "hungover" USC team last week, in what was practically a must-win situation for the Sun Devils. ASU has now lost three in a row, gaining just 322-yards per game, including just 97.3-yards rushing per game. They have completed just 48% of their last 110 passes, with as many INTs, (five), as TD passes. A badly struggling offense and a worn out defense is just what the Ducks need to get right back on track. Oregon has been outstanding on offense since the loss to Boise State. They're averaging 5 1/2 yards per carry and over 36 ppg on the season. When Erickson left Idaho for the desert, he told his Vandal players that he wanted one more chance to win a national championship before retiring. Let's just say he has a long way to go. ASU is 0-13 SU, 4-9 ATS as an underdog over the last three seasons. They're 3-12 SU, 5-10 ATS against winning teams. And, the Sun Devils, with Erickson at the helm, are 0-9 ATS in road games after playing a defensive, low scoring game that finished Under the total. Oregon is averaging almost 500-yards per game in conference action with an average final score of 42-18, which is also their average final score in their four straight wins over Arizona State. I expect more of the same Duck Domination on Saturday night. I'm laying the points with Oregon, my Bailout Blowout GOY. Thanks! GL! Scott.