Pac-12 Championship Prediction
Can No. 5 Utah keep its playoff hopes alive and put on an impressive showing in tonight’s Pac-12 Championship Game when it takes on No. 13 Oregon at 8PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
103 Oregon vs. 104 Utah
Friday, December 6, 2019
8PM ET – Levi’s Stadium
TV: ABC
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Utah is favored in this game, as the Utes are getting odds of -6.5 points against the Ducks. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 46 points. The public betting currently has 54 percent going on Utah as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Ducks being overlooked
Oregon is out of the playoff mix after a 31-28 loss at Arizona State two weeks ago, but the Ducks did pick up a 24-10 win over Oregon State last weekend to bounce back. The Ducks are 10-2 on the season, 8-1 in Pac-12 play, 6-6 against the spread and 7-5 with the under.
The Ducks have been pretty solid on defense this year, allowing just 15.8 points and 332.9 yards per game. Jevon Holland has been leading the defense with 54 tackles and four interceptions. Offensively, Oregon is putting up 35.8 points and 455.1 yards per contest. Justin Herbert is leading the Ducks this year with 3,140 passing yards and 31 touchdowns with just five interceptions while CJ Verdell is the team’s leading rusher with 963 yards and five scores. Johnny Johnson III is the team’s leading receiver with 49 catches for 731 yards and six scores.
Pressure is on Utah
Utah is currently riding an 8-game win streak following a 45-15 victory over Colorado last weekend at home. The Utes are fifth in the latest playoff rankings and could find themselves in the top four with a win. Utah is 11-1 on the season, 8-1 in the Pac-12, 9-3 against the spread and 8-3-1 with the under.
The Utes have had one of the best defenses in the country all season. They rank third in points allowed (11.2 ppg) and yards allowed (241.8 ypg), while sitting tops in rushing defense by allowing only 56.4 yards per game. Bradlee Anae is leading the defense with 33 tackles and 12.5 sacks. Offensively, Utah is putting up 35.6 points and 453.6 yards per contest. Tyler Huntley has thrown for 2,773 yards and 16 touchdowns this year while also rushing for 255 yards and five scores. Zack Moss is the team’s leading rusher with 1,246 yards and 15 scores while Brant Kuithe is the leading receiver with 29 catches for 550 yards and six scores.
College Football Betting Trends
Oregon
The Ducks are just 1-4 against the spread in their last five games at a neutral site and 1-5 ATS in their last six games as an underdog.
Utah
The Utes have covered the spread in eight straight games coming in and they are 23-9-1 ATS in their last 33 conference games.
Prediction:
These two met last season and Utah got a 32-25 win at home. I think the Ducks are being a bit overlooked here. Oregon was the team the Pac-12 seemed to be hitching their wagon to for a playoff spot until the Ducks lost by three at Arizona State. Oregon hasn’t been outclassed by anyone. They lost to Auburn on a neutral field thanks to a late score and just by three to ASU. The Ducks have a comparable defense to Utah and their offense has capable breakout players. Utah has looked great, but this is a best team it will have faced since Washington, which was just a 33-28 victory. Utah has a lot of new pressure on it tonight and that could really impact them. The Utes seem to have everything to lose tonight, so I think this is going to be a tough game for them. Utah may win, but I think it will be in the closing seconds.
Pac-12 Championship Prediction: Oregon +6.5
Related: Pac-12 Championship Total Prediction