The Pac-12 Conference Championship Game will take center stage in the college football betting world on Friday night. For the first time ever, the title game will be played in Las Vegas, Nevada. The spectacular venue that is Allegiant Stadium will host the Oregon Ducks and Utah Utes with a spot in the Rose Bowl at stake. Of course, these two teams clashed two weeks ago in Salt Lake City, a game that Utah dominated. Despite that lopsided outcome, the college football betting odds have the Utes installed as a very short favorite ahead of the Pac-12 title game.
The following Oregon vs Utah college football betting preview will give you the current odds, betting trends and picks for the Pac-12 Championship Game matchup.
Oregon vs Utah College Football Betting Preview
2021 Pac-12 Championship Game
Oregon Ducks (10-2, 7-2 Pac-12) vs. Utah Utes (9-3, 8-1 Pac-12)
Date: Friday, Dec. 3, 2021
Time: 8 p.m. EST
Venue: Allegiant Stadium — Las Vegas, NV
Coverage: ABC
Oregon Ducks Preview
It’s safe to say that the head-to-head matchup against Utah two weeks ago is a game that Oregon would rather soon forget. The Ducks were outgained by nearly 100 yards in that first meeting. They were also dominated in time of possession stemming from an inability to control the line of scrimmage on either side of the ball. The nature in which Mario Cristobal’s team lost the battle in the trenches was quite surprising. For the Ducks’ offense to stay on schedule and be productive, establishing a ground game is necessary. Oregon had just 62 yards rushing in Salt Lake City two weeks ago. Meanwhile, the defense allowed the Utes to pile up over 200 yards on the ground.
Many were skeptical as to how Oregon would rebound after the blowout loss that all but doomed their College Football Playoff aspirations. The Ducks answered the bell in impressive fashion, jumping out to an early lead over Oregon State and holding off a late comeback to win the Civil War and Pac-12 North Division. While the final margin of victory was only nine points, Oregon was never truly threatened as college football betting favorites last week. Both running back Travis Dye and dual-threat QB Anthony Brown posted over five yards per carry. The duo combined for over 180 yards rushing and three scores in a solid bounce-back effort offensively. Similar success on the ground would be huge in the Ducks’ bid to win the Pac-12 championship.
Utah Utes Preview
Any Utah hangover from the massive win over Oregon lasted all of one quarter. It took the offense a bit to find its rhythm, but the Utes were able to take down Colorado by a 15-point margin to conclude an undefeated season on their home field. Unfortunately, Utah will be relegated to a neutral site for Friday night’s college football betting contest. That said, expect the Runnin’ Utes faithful to make their presence felt inside Allegiant Stadium as Kyle Whittingham’s squad tries to capture the school’s first Pac-12 championship.
Defense has been Utah’s calling card all season. The Utes finished out the regular season allowing the fewest yards (325.9) and second-fewest points (21.5) in the Pac-12 on a per-game basis. The front seven certainly came up huge in the first head-to-head against Oregon two weeks ago. Special teams were also a big part of that game, particularly on a punt return touchdown just before halftime. Each of Utah’s top two RBs, Tavion Thomas and T.J. Pledger, averaged over 4.5 yards a pop against the Oregon defense. Of course, since taking over under center a few games in, Cameron Rising has proven on numerous occasions that he is capable of making big plays through the air when the Utes need them.
Oregon vs Utah Odds and Spread
College football betting odds for Oregon vs Utah are taken from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Moneyline: ORE: (+110) | UTA: (-135)
Spread: ORE: +2.5 (-105) | UTA: -2.5 (-115)
Total: 58 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
Public (Spread) Betting via Action Network: ORE: (46%) | UTA: (54%)
Oregon vs Utah College Football Betting Trends
- Ducks went 5-7 ATS and 6-6 to the over this season.
- Utes went 5-7 ATS and 8-4 to the over this season.
- Ducks are 8-17 ATS in their last 25 games against rushing offenses averaging more than 5.0 yards per carry.
- Utes are 18-7-1 ATS over the last five years following an outright conference victory.
- Seven of the last nine Oregon vs Utah head-to-head matchups have gone over the total.
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Oregon vs Utah Stats
- Oregon is averaging 33.2 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 3 in the Pac-12).
- Oregon is surrendering 24.4 PPG this season (No. 6 in the Pac-12).
- Utah is averaging 35.3 PPG this season (No. 2 in the Pac-12).
- Utah is surrendering 21.5 PPG this season (No. 2 in the Pac-12).
Oregon vs Utah Prediction
This Oregon vs Utah college football betting prediction uses the ESPN Football Power Index (FPI). It gives Utah a 61.0% chance to win this Pac-12 Championship Game matchup.
