Collin Cowherd drops major prediction for Oregon vs. Ohio State

Longtime Fox Sports analyst Colin Cowherd recently picked Oregon to beat Ohio State in Eugene this fall.

During the latest episode of his “The Volume Sports” podcast, Cowherd discussed multiple aspects of the current college football landscape with fellow analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy on Tuesday, including which conference currently reigns supreme: the Big Ten or the SEC?

When posed with the question, Cowherd immediately turned to the Ducks.

“I think Oregon is something that we haven’t seen out west since Pete Carroll and Ed Orgeron. They’ve just done it differently,” Cowherd said. “They’ve purchased big bodies, so I think Oregon stacks up in the trenches.”

Cowherd went on to note Phil Knight’s recent comments on providing Oregon with whatever NIL resources they require to win a national championship.

“People talk about the Texas NIL. . . Oregon’s is unlimited,” Cowherd said. “They’ll just buy whatever they have to. That’s really how it’s done.”

Cowherd emphasized the fact that he wasn’t criticizing the Ducks with these comments, but praising them for exploiting the current NIL landscape.

“First of all, their marketing has advanced,” Cowherd said. “Even with Mario Cristobal, their recruiting, to me, is the best on the west coast. The best on the west coast. USC is consistently second because of the name brand, but Oregon’s been recruiting the west coast — Cristobal, Lanning — very well. If they want a receiver or a DB, they get him.”

From there, Cowherd went on to announce his pick for one of the most anticipated games of the 2024 season.

“I think Oregon’s going to beat Ohio State in Eugene, because Dan Lanning has done something that I didn’t think a southern guy was going to do with no head coaching experience,” Cowherd said. “Immediately, I know what Oregon is. I really do. They’re a little Detroit Lions — relentless, they play hard.”

At that point, Cowherd went on to blame the Ducks’ recent struggles against Washington on the fact that the Huskies were “a terrible matchup” for Oregon.

“I watched Oregon play Washington twice, once live,” Cowherd said. “I thought Oregon had more good players.”

From there, the analyst’s praise for the Ducks didn’t quite stop.

“I think Oregon matches up with Ohio State, and if you match-up with Ohio State, you match-up with everybody,” Cowherd said.

The Ducks and Buckeyes will face off in Eugene on Saturday, October 12 in what will likely be one of the most-viewed games ever played inside Autzen Stadium.

ESPNBet currently has Oregon listed as a one-point favorite.