National experts make predictions for No. 7 Oregon Ducks vs. No. 15 USC Trojans

The Oregon Ducks have played in their fair share of important regular-season games over the last couple of decades, competing for places in the College Football Playoff and contending for national championships. On Saturday, the game between No. 7 Oregon and the No. 15 USC Trojans is as big as they come.

It may not be the highest-ranked match-up we have seen in Eugene in recent memory, but when it comes to the stakes on the line, and the crowns of "West Coast Kings" that's up for grabs, this game means a lot. The winner will keep themselves in the middle of the College Football Playoff race and further establish themselves as the predominant team on the West Coast, both on the field and in the recruiting world.

Meanwhile, the loser will likely fall out of the playoff race, be subject to an appearance in the Alamo Bowl or some other low-ranking postseason game, and have to deal with a couple of years of ridicule from the rival fan base. In college football, that's about as high as the stakes can get.

So who is going to come out on top? That is a matter of opinion, at this point. The Ducks are favored by 9 1/2 points according to FanDuel Sportsbook, but many college football experts see this one being a tight game on Saturday that could go either way.

A handful of analysts have dived into this contest and forecast what's to come either straight up or against the spread. Here's what we've found so far from the top guys:

Joel Klatt

Pick: Oregon -9.5

"I love what USC is doing. I just don't love them in this game, and on the road, I'm going to have to lean towards Oregon. And I think a 10-point victory is not out of the question. So I've got Oregon, 31-21. They cover the 9.5."

Josh Pate

Pick: Oregon -9.5

"I think Oregon's best game is still ahead of them. Now I'm gonna roll the dice a little bit, and I'm gonna say it happens Saturday. So I mean, look, there are routes here where I could see USC winning the game. What do I think is more likely? That's really what the pick's all about. Think it's probably more likely Oregon wins the game. And if Oregon wins the game in the style that I believe they will, there's a chance that they bend it at the end. I don't think blowout. I just think, you know, win the second half, 17-7 or something like that. You end up winning. And I'll take Oregon to cover."

Will Compton

Pick: Oregon -9.5

"I'm riding with the Oregon Ducks."

Taylor Lewan

Pick: USC +9.5

"I think those two wide receivers, they're explosive enough, and they handle business enough to keep this game within one score. I believe the Ducks win this game, but I'm going to take USC plus 9.5."

Dan Rubenstein

Pick: Oregon -9.5

"I just think Oregon's gonna have too much for too long to keep this close, provided Dante Moore doesn't turn over the ball, and if those safeties are out, I think that becomes less and less likely. So I have written down here, 35-24 Oregon barely covers."

Ty Hildenbrandt

Pick: Oregon -9.5

"You know, this is a very good Oregon team that can beat you a number of different ways. And Dante Moore is completing like 73% of his passes. I think Oregon's got too many ways to win this game. I've got it at 38-25."

David Pollack

Pick: Oregon

"You know, (Jayden) Maiava played incredibly well, but I got the Ducks. I definitely think they'll take care of business."

Greg McElroy

Pick: Oregon -9.5

"I'm taking the Oregon Ducks in this game, because teams that run the ball and stop the run are really hard to pick against. And I just think right now, Oregon is a more complete football team. They're a more trustworthy football team, and I think their commitment to the run game, they'll get SC a couple times. I think the Oregon Ducks win this game by 10."

JD Pickell

Pick: Oregon 34, USC 27

"I'll take Oregon to win. I'll take USC to cover now. Okay, final score in Eugene, Ducks 34, Trojans 2.7 Oregon punches their ticket more or less to the College Football Playoff with a win at the crib.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: National experts make picks for Oregon Ducks vs. USC Trojans game