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Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux appears to be sidelined for a crucial Week 2 contest.
The star defender was dressed in street clothes ahead of Saturday’s game against Ohio State. He had been day-to-day the entire week.
The Buckeyes are 14.5-point favorites, with a total of 63.5 at DraftKings.
Thibodeaux, a former 5-star prospect, left the Week 1 win over Fresno State after getting his leg rolled up by a teammate. He picked up two tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in the opener.
As to how his absence affects the betting odds, here’s what the Action Network’s college football experts had to offer.
“Losing the potential No. 1 overall pick certainly won’t help Oregon’s chances, but Ohio State already had a capable enough offensive line to contain the Oregon pass rush,” Stuckey said. “Without him, though, it will give Ohio State and Ryan Day much more freedom in their play-calling and reduces the chances of a game-changing turnover that he’s certainly capable of creating.”
“Without him, the Ducks have no pass rush whatsoever,” the Action Network’s Collin Wilson added. “I know he is high impact, but Ohio State has numerous ways to get around him.”
Ohio State’s offense clicked in the second half of last week’s 45-31 win over Minnesota, posting the fifth-best EPA/pass in the country.
The Ducks, meanwhile, have been a brutal bet as road ‘dogs, covering just once in their last eight tries.