Game: Utah Utes vs Oregon Ducks
Date & Time: Friday, December 6th, 2019, 8:00 (EST)
Location: Levi’s® Stadium in Santa Clara, California
The Line: Utah Utes -6, O/U 48.5
TV Channel: ABC
The Utah Utes must win the Pac-12 game if they want a shot at the CFP Playoff. Jason Radowitz previews the highly anticipated Pac-12 Championship.
CFB Season Record: 41-25 – 62%
Utah Utes vs Oregon Ducks Pac-12 Championship Preview
The Utah Utes (11-1) will take on the Oregon Ducks (10-2) for the Pac-12 Championship. It never pays to look ahead to the future, but the Utes have to know one thing. If they win the Pac-12 Championship, they can potentially take the final spot in the CFP Playoff (if things go their way). Utah completed their best regular season since 2008 after winning eight straight games since their loss against USC on September 20th.
Zack Moss, Utah’s star running back, led the Pac-12 with 1,246 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. He was mostly inactive during the loss against USC. Utah, with Zack Moss as halfback, haven’t lost a game. Moss is paired up with Tyler Huntley, the quarterback for Utah. He completed 75.5 percent of his passes and gained 11.1 yards per completion. Huntley threw for 16 touchdowns and just two interceptions, best for second in terms of touchdown-to-interception ratio in the Pac-12. This will be Utah’s second consecutive appearance in the Pac-12. They had lost to Washington last season, 10-3 in a defensive showdown.
Oregon will return to the Pac-12 Championship for the first time since 2014, where they ultimately won and made it into the inaugural CFP. Oregon’s squad and scheme is completely different to the likes of thee 2014 team. They don’t run the hurry-up, but instead run a balanced offense behind one of the best quarterbacks in college football, Justin Herbert. He’ll have a challenge throwing against Utah. The Utes have 13 interceptions while allowing just 12 touchdown passes.
Utah Utes vs Oregon Ducks Key Stats
- Utes are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
- Over is 4-1 in Ducks last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Ducks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
Utah Utes vs Oregon Ducks Betting Lines
- The spread favors the Utah Utes (-6)
- The Over/Under is set at 48.5
- Oregon sits at +195 on the moneyline
Utah Utes vs Oregon Ducks Prediction
If we’re going to be straight forward here, I don’t believe Utah is a touchdown better than Oregon. Utah has one of the best defenses in the nation, but Oregon has scored at least 24 points in seven straight games and have won 13 of their last 15 games dating back to last season. Those two losses have been by fewer than seven points.
Oregon might’ve scored 24 points in their last seven games, but I don’t expect that much scoring from Oregon (or Utah). Like most Pac-12 games, it’ll be a dog fight. A lot of defense and some big time play-making by the offenses.
I’m taking the Oregon Ducks +6. If they move above +6 before the game on Friday, I’d jump on it very quickly. Take the points in a tight game (and the under if you must.)
