Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass during the first half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

The No. 5 Oregon Ducks (2-0) and the Northwestern Wildcats (1-1) meet Saturday in the Big Ten conference opener for both teams at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET (FOX). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NCAA football odds around the Oregon vs. Northwestern odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.

This is just the second all-time meeting. Northwestern won 14-10 in the first meeting on Oct. 5, 1974, in Evanston.

Oregon absolutely embarrassed the Oklahoma State Cowboys last Saturday, winning 69-3 at Autzen Stadium as a 28.5-point favorite as the Over (55.5) cashed. The Ducks had 24 first downs, to just 9 for the Cowboys. Oregon also piled up 631 total yards, including 312 on the ground, while Oklahoma State managed just 211 total yards and a minus-2 turnover ratio.

Ducks QB Dante Moore completed 16-of-21 passes for 266 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs in the rout, while RB Noah Whittington led the way with 4 rushes for 91 yards and a TD. RB Jayden Limar added 6 attempts for 87 yards and a score. WR Dakorien Moore ended up with 2 receptions for 69 yards and a TD.

Northwestern lost 23-3 in the opener at the Tulane Green Wave, failing to cover as a 4.5-point underdog as the Under (46.5) cashed. It returned home, posting a 42-7 win over the Western Illinois Leathernecks as a 31.5-point favorite as the Under (49.5) held on.

Wildcats QB Preston Stone completed 21-of-29 for 245 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs last week in the win over WIU, while RB Cam Porter logged 12 rushes for a game-best 91 yards and a score. Meanwhile, DL Carmine Bastone was disruptive as usual, going for 4 total stops, including 3 of the solo variety, while adding 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss.

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Oregon at Northwestern odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 4:20 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Oregon -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100) | Northwestern +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Oregon -27.5 (-105) | Northwestern +27.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 48.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

WIN YOUR FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE! The Huddle has been turning players like you into winners for over 25 years. This season, it's your turn. Custom fantasy football rankings, sleepers and tools are just a click away. Subscribe now!

Oregon at Northwestern picks and predictions

Prediction

Oregon 52, Northwestern 10

Moneyline

Oregon (-10000) will cost you $100 for every $1 won. There is never a way to justify that type of enormous risk for such a minimal return, even if you were to include it in a multi-leg parlay.

AVOID, and look to the spread instead.

Against the spread

Play OREGON -27.5 (-105) laying the big points on the road.

There is always risk, as the Ducks have been enjoying the home cooking in the first 2 weeks. Now, Oregon must take the long flight to Chicago, adjusting to the road for the first time. However, this offense has been super powerful to date, and Northwestern doesn't figure to offer much in the way of resistance despite playing a pretty good brand of defense early on.

The Wildcats did a good job against Tulane on the road, while shutting down Western Illinois last week. But, Oregon has rolled up 128 points in 2 games. It would be stunning to see the Ducks held to the 40s at this point.

Stream live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+!

Over/Under

OVER 48.5 (-115) is worth a look, and there is a good chance Oregon does must of the heavy lifting to get this across the finish line with minimal help from Northwestern.

The Ducks, again, have scored at least 59 points in 2 games. While a lot of casual fans write off the first game because it was against an FCS foe, remember that the Montana State Bobcats were the national championship runner-up at the FCS level. It was a very impressive victory. And, dismantling a fellow Power 4 team, albeit an Oklahoma State team looking at a down year, is equally impressive.

The Over might be the best play on the board here, and you should go rather aggressively at it.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @danieledobish on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / College Sports Wire / High School / Recruiting

This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Oregon Ducks at Northwestern Wildcats odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Daniel Dobish, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect