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PAC-12 Odds: Which Team Should We Bet on Now?

By Reed Wallach

Sep 18, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Dylan Morris (9) and wide
Sep 18, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Dylan Morris (9) and wide / Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
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Three weeks of the college football season has come and gone, and everyone has their observations. 

One thing that has caught my eye is the updated PAC-12 odds at WynnBET. 

Oregon entered the season as the favorites to win the conference, and has looked the part so far, going to Columbus and beating Ohio State as two touchdown underdogs. 

Meanwhile, every other contender for the conference title. Arizona State, Washington, Utah, USC, and UCLA have all lost a game already and looked out of sorts at different points through the first three weeks. 

However, for the most part, conference play hasn’t started yet. While the Ducks have looked strong this season, it could be moot with subpar conference play. We are far from settled in the PAC-12, and there is value down the board. 

Here are the updated odds and some thoughts on the teams that can crash Oregon’s College Football Playoff bid.

PAC-12 Conference Championship Odds

  • Oregon +110
  • Arizona State +600
  • Washington +700
  • Utah +700
  • USC +800
  • UCLA +800
  • Stanford +3000
  • California +4000
  • Oregon State +10000
  • Colorado +10000
  • Washington State +10000
  • Arizona +10000

Oregon Benefiting From Other Team's Failures

Oregon’s odds have dropped from their preseason number of +250 to +110, which makes sense given their strong play, but it’s the move from everyone else that is driving the value in the PAC-12 market. 

Arizona State struggled last weekend at BYU, but they have a deep defense and a game breaking quarterback in Jayden Daniels. Not to mention, the Sun Devils come from the other side of the conference as Oregon, setting up a potential conference title game. ASU must go to UCLA, Utah, and Washington, while playing USC at home. I do see value on the Sun Devils, but they are not my best bet given their inconsistency.

Washington Could Bounce Back in Conference Play

Washington may shape up to be the best value on the board right now. Losses to FCS foe Montana and Michigan are tough pills to swallow, but the team was down essentially every key receiver against Montana and only had a few back against Michigan.

The Huskies schedule is incredibly favorable, with all key games coming at home. The aforementioned Arizona State game, but Oregon and UCLA must travel to Seattle. They beat up Arkansas State 52-3 last week as healthy as they have been in a final tune up before conference play starts.

Keep an eye on Washington, who is definitely trending up. 

Can Anyone Else Challenge For the Pac-12 Title?

Utah is a team in shambles, dropping two straight games to BYU and San Diego State on the road. While there is still time to salvage their conference season, the team will do it without their starting quarterback, Charlie Brewer, who left the program on Tuesday.

To be fair, backup Cameron Rising came in and nearly sparked a comeback against SDSU, and the Utes have a stout defense, but this team is down a concerning path. I'd stay away.

For a team that already hit rock bottom, USC scored a conference win at Washington State last weekend. After firing coach Clay Helton, the Trojans leaned on backup quarterback Jaxson Dart to grab a 45-13 win. I’m not rushing to back USC though given questions at quarterback and coaching staff in addition to games against Utah, UCLA, and at Arizona State on tap. 

UCLA suffered a heart breaking loss to Fresno State at home, but still have PAC-12 title aspirations. The Bruins have the toughest remaining schedule of the aforementioned teams, keeping me off them (at Washington, Utah, USC; home for Arizona State, Oregon), but this is a team that can play spoiler with an explosive offense, led by dual threat quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and running backs Zach Charbonnet and Brittain Brown. 

One long shot I’ll mention is Stanford at +3000. The Cardinal already beat USC, prompting the Helton firing, and the schedule is very favorable, playing the two PAC-12 North contenders, Oregon and Washington, at home. Issue is they play UCLA, Oregon, and Arizona State in consecutive weeks. 

Ultimately, I’m playing Washington right now to get back into the mix of this conference title race after a slow start, while hoping Utah can figure it out around their backup quarterback from my preseason futures that are likely drawing dead. 

Who do you like to win the PAC-12? Get in on the action at WynnBET Sportsbook!

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