The two-time defending PAC-12 champion Oregon Ducks shoot for the three-peat when they battle the Utah Utes in this season’s edition of the PAC-12 championship game Friday night in Las Vegas. These two teams just met two weeks ago, a Utah blow-out of Oregon in Salt Lake City. But something leads us to believe this game will play out a lot closer than that one. The Utes were only favored by 3.5 points over the Ducks two weeks ago and covered easily. Now Utah is favored by less than that for Friday night. Which way are we going here with our free college football betting pick?
PAC-12 Championship Game Betting Odds
Championship Week’s college football betting lines opened the Utes as three-point favorites over the Ducks with an over/under of right around 60. Early betting action then dipped Utah to -2.5.
PAC-12 Championship Game Betting Preview
Oregon reached this PAC-12 championship game by going 7-2 in conference play, clinching the North Division title with a 38-29 rivalry victory over Oregon State last Saturday. The Ducks scored touchdowns on their first two possessions of the game and led 24-3 at the half. Oregon later allowed the Beavers to get within 31-21 midway through the fourth quarter and 38-29 with a minute left but held on for the victory and the cover as a 7.5-point favorite. The Ducks out-gained Oregon State 506-393, out-rushed the Beavers 231-85 and won the time of possession by a 37:23 split. Oregon has now out-gained and out-rushed six of its last eight opponents. Last year the Ducks, who didn’t win the North but represented it in the conference championship game anyway, beat USC 31-24 to win the PAC-12 title. And two years ago, Oregon beat Utah 37-15 in the PAC-12 title tilt. The Utes, meanwhile, reached this PAC-12 championship game by going 8-1 in conference play, finishing off their regular season with a 28-13 win over Colorado last Friday. Utah, which had already clinched the South Division, spotted the Buffaloes the first three points of the game but recovered to lead 14-6 at the half. The Utes then let Colorado return the second-half kick-off 100 yards for a touchdown but promptly added two scores from there to secure the victory. However, Utah came up short ATS at -24. The Utes out-gained the Buffaloes 444-148, out-rushed Colorado 265-64, and won time of possession by a 34:26 split. Utah has now out-gained and out-rushed each of its last five opponents. It’s also 5-0 SU, 3-2 ATS over that span. Two years ago, the Utes lost the PAC-12 championship game to Oregon 37-15, and three years ago, they lost the conference title tilt to Washington 10-3. So Utah is hoping the third time’s a charm Friday night.
Common Opponents
These two teams played five common opponents this season; Oregon played Colorado, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, and Washington State to a record of 4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS, and +107 yards per game, while Utah played those five foes to 4-1 SU, 2-3 ATS and +158 YPG.
- Get more details: Oregon vs. Utah Betting Stats
Oregon-Utah Recent History
The Ducks took five of the first seven meetings from the Utes after Utah joined the PAC-12 back in 2012, going 4-3 ATS along the way. But most recently, just two weeks ago, the Utes bombed Oregon 38-7 and covered at -3.5. Utah led that game 28-0 at the half and eventually out-rushed the Ducks 208-63. Also, that game played under a total of 58.
College Football Betting Trends
In games matching two teams ranked in the Coaches Top 25 this season, the higher-ranked outfits are 21-16 SU but only 17-20 ATS.
Totals Report
Totals are split 6-6 in Ducks games this season, which are averaging 58 total points. Overs are 8-4 in Utes games this season, which are averaging 57 points. Overs are 8-2 over the last ten meetings between these two teams.
