Oregon vs. Utah Picks & Betting Predictions: Our Experts’ 5 Best Bets for 2019 Pac-12 Championship

Oregon vs. Utah Picks & Betting Predictions: Our Experts’ 5 Best Bets for 2019 Pac-12 Championship article feature image
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Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Brant Kuithe

  • Our experts break down their favorite Oregon vs. Utah picks in the 2019 Pac-12 Championship Game.
  • With weather a factor and two strong defenses facing off, points should be limited.
  • Our picks focus on the first half total, a quarterback prop and a side.

Oregon vs. Utah Odds for Pac-12 Championship

  • Odds: Utah -6.5
  • Over/Under: 45.5
  • Moneylines: Utah -256, Oregon +200
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET
  • TV: ABC
  • Location: Levi Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.

For the first time in what feels like a long time, the Pac-12 Championship Game has some national meaning.

Utah will look to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive when it faces Oregon at Levi's Stadium.

The Utes need style points to impress the CFP committee, but can they get them on a sloppy field? Our experts weigh in with their favorite picks.

Oregon vs. Utah Picks & Predictions


Odds as of Friday at 2 p.m. ET and via PointsBet, where Action Network users can access an exclusive promotion to get a 200% deposit match (deposit $50, bet with $150).No strings attached. No rollover required.


Stuckey

I'm more comfortable with the first half under than the full game for a few reasons:

Utah has been a slow starter this year, averaging only 6.0 points per first quarter, which ranks 66th in the nation. (Oregon sits at 34th with 7.5)

And Utah knows it needs style points for its best shot at the college football playoff, so I don’t think there will be any let up with a lead in the second half.

From a side perspective, I think there is some value with the Ducks, especially if this gets to +7. I personally make this game around Utah -4 but also prefer a first half play on Oregon +3.5 for a few other reasons:

— After starting slow, Utah tends to simply wear down its opponents as the game progresses. Look no further than its time of possession percentage in the second half as the Utes are only one of two teams in the country to have the ball for over 60% of minutes after the half.

— Halftime adjustments: I trust Kyle Whittingham to make much more effective adjustments at the half than Mario Cristobal.

— Utah may come out a little tight with so much on the line while Oregon should come out much looser with no shot at the playoff and expectations now relaxed. — Stuckey

Stuckey's Picks: Oregon 1H +3.5, Under 21.5 1H and look for an Oregon +7 to pop.

Stuckey is 519-478-29 (52.1%) overall betting on college football. You can follow him in our free app.

Kyle Miller

While Oregon has a strong defense, Utah has an elite one. The Utes rank No. 4 in yards per play, No. 1 in defending explosiveness, and No. 9 in efficiency. They’ve got solid advantages over Oregon in each of those categories.

Neither offense is particularly explosive and both defenses defend it well so I’m expecting a very low scoring game. In addition, the weather and field conditions will likely be a factor with rain coming down all week in Santa Clara.

As for the side, I make this game Utah -5 so I jumped on a juiced -3 when openers came out. The line has since jumped up to a touchdown in some spots so I’m not looking to back the Utes at -6.5.

I’ll stick with the under here and hope the field conditions and defenses play out as planned.Kyle Miller

Kyle's Pick: Under 46

Kyle Miller is 231-198-12 (53.8%) overall betting on college football. You can follow him in our free app.

Collin Wilson

Utah is one of just four teams over the past 10 seasons to hold 11 opponents to 100 rushing yards or fewer. A sloppy track at Levi’s Stadium is in the forecast, as we might get non-stop rain on Friday.

Expect the vise grip of the defenses to keep field position in check, while a wet turf will limit explosive plays.

Utah has outscored opponents 193-61 in the second half this season, an indication that it may take multiple drives for the Utes offense to get going.

Points will be at a premium, but expect Utah to do just enough to take home the Pac-12 Championship while Oregon keeps it close.

Collin's Picks: Oregon +6.5, 1st Half Under 21.5

Collin Wilson is 482-404-23 (54.4%) overall betting on college football. You can follow him in our free app.

Steve Petrella

This Utah defense just does not give up big plays. The Utes rank No. 1 in explosiveness against and have only allowed 23 plays of more than 20 yards all season.

That's part of the reason why I'm betting Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert under 250.5 passing yards at DraftKings.

Against a stout secondary and on a sloppy track, Herbert will not be able to chunk his way down the field to reach 251 yards.

He's thrown for under 250 yards in three of his last five games (and one of the times he did get there, he racked up more than 100 yards in garbage time against Arizona State).

The Utes are also dead last in seconds per play and allow the fewest opponent's possessions per game at 11.0. I think we'll see more of that ball control on Friday night.

Steve's Pick: Herbert Under 250.5 Passing Yards

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