College football top 25 picks: Pac-12 clash, UCLA vs. Oregon, takes center stage

Chip Kelly and the UCLA Bruins have quietly climbed into the top 10, peaking this week at No. 9.

Meanwhile, the Oregon Ducks (5-1) have returned to national prominence at No. 10 after enduring a season-opening thrashing by No. 1 Georgia. 

The Bruins (6-0) head to Eugene and raucous Autzen Stadium on Saturday, the place where Kelly built his reputation as an offensive guru.

FrontPageBets goes behind the numbers for this Pac-12 matchup as well as the rest of the top 25.

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings and subject to change.)

UCLA outlook

The Bruins are averaging 41.5 points a game and have gained renown the past two times out with big wins over Washington and Utah.

Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been a pillar of consistency, throwing for 1,510 yards while completing 74.8% of his passes. He has tossed 15 touchdowns against two interceptions. The ground game is the purview of Zach Charbonnet, who has carried for 615 yards and six touchdowns.

On defense, linebacker Darius Muasau has racked up 38 tackles and an interception.

Oregon outlook

The Ducks are getting it done with defense under first-year coach Dan Lanning, yielding under 21 points per game since the shellacking by the national champions, his former employer.

Quarterback Bo Nix is completing 70.4% of his attempts for 1,26 yards with 12 TDs and three picks. Troy Franklin has 429 receiving yards with three touchdowns.

Defensive back Bennett Williams has 30 stops, including a sack to pace an improving unit. He's forced a pair of fumbles.

No. 9 UCLA vs. No. 10 Oregon

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., FOX
• Spread: Oregon -6 (-115); UCLA +6 (-105)
• Money line: Oregon -225; UCLA +190
• O/U: 69.5 (-110)
• The pick: Oregon, 38-34

Other Top 25 games

Iowa vs. No. 2 Ohio State

• When: Saturday, noon, FOX
• Spread: Ohio State -29 (-110); Iowa +29 (-110)
• Money line: Ohio State -10000; Iowa +2500
• O/U: 49 (-110)
• The pick: Ohio State, 42-3

UT Martin vs. No. 3 Tennessee

• When: Saturday, noon, SECN
• Spread: No line
• Money line: No line
• O/U: No line

No. 14 Syracuse vs. No. 5 Clemson

• When: Saturday, noon, ABC
• Spread: Clemson -13.5 (-110); Syracuse +13.5 (-110)
• Money line: Clemson -500; Syracuse +400
• O/U: Over 49.5 (-105); Under 49.5 (-115)
• The pick: Clemson, 35-17

No. 21 Cincinnati vs. SMU

• When: Saturday, noon, ESPN
• Spread: Cincinnati -3 (-115); SMU +3 (-105)
• Money line: Cincinnati -165; SMU +140
• O/U: 58.5 (-110)
• The pick: Cincinnati, 35-31

No. 7 Ole Miss vs. LSU

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS
• Spread: LSU -1.5 (-110); Ole Miss +1.5 (-110)
• Money line: LSU -125; Ole Miss +105
• O/U: 66 (-110)
• The pick: Ole Miss, 35-31

No. 20 Texas vs. No. 11 Oklahoma State

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC
• Spread: Texas -6.5 (-110); Oklahoma State +6.5 (-110)
• Money line: Texas -240; Oklahoma State +200
• O/U: Over 61 (-110)
• The pick: Oklahoma State, 35-34

Boston College vs. No. 13 Wake Forest

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ACCN
• Spread: Wake Forest -21 (-110); Boston College +21 (-110)
• Money line: Wake Forest -1400; Boston College +850
• O/U: 60.5 (-110)
• The pick: Wake Forest, 42-17

Memphis vs. No. 25 Tulane

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2
• Spread: Tulane -7 (-115); Memphis +7 (-105)
• Money line: Tulane -255; Memphis +215
• O/U: 56.5 (-110)
• The pick: Tulane, 28-24

No. 24 Mississippi State vs. No. 6 Alabama

• When: Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN
• Spread: Alabama -21 (-110); Mississippi State +21 (-110)
• Money line: Alabama -1400; Mississippi State +850
• O/U: 61 (-110)
• The pick: Alabama, 49-17

Minnesota vs. No. 16 Penn State

• When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ABC
• Spread: Penn State -5 (-110); Minnesota +5 (-110)
• Money line: Penn State -190; Minnesota +160
• O/U: 44.5 (-110)
• The pick: Penn State, 24-20

No. 17 Kansas State vs. No. 8 TCU

• When: Saturday, 8 p.m., FS1
• Spread: TCU -3.5 (-110); Kansas State +3.5 (-110)
• Money line: TCU -165; Kansas State +140
• O/U: 54 (-110)
• The pick: TCU, 28-24

Gambling problem? There is help. Call 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling for help.