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Betting Pac-12 football: Look out for the Utes

Is anyone really going to bet the futures market in the Pac-12? Show me your ticket slips! The 2020 season was rough for football because of the COVID-19 pandemic but Pac-12 was probably the most affected. At first there was no season, and then there was a season but then it was delayed to a November start. It was all really weird and it made betting the Pac-12 all that more volatile in an already up-and-down conference.

That being said, there are two teams I’m looking forward to possibly betting in season.

Washington Huskies

Season win total OVER 9 (+110), UNDER (-140)

Win Pac-12 North (+135)

Win Pac-12 (+350)

I take everything from 2020 with a grain of salt. For the most part, we have a really small sample size to analyze. However, I think the Huskies could really be something this year. Looking within the conference, the Huskies in 2020 allowed just one sack and will return the entire offensive line. Defensively, they ranked second in opponent first downs, second in red zone defense, and first in total defense.

Offensively, Huskies ranked second in third-down conversions, but ranked ninth overall in total offense. Offense is where they can improve but we could see those improvements this year with second-year quarterback Dylan Morris. He showed some promise in a shortened season that included a comeback from a 21-0 halftime deficit to win 24-21 against Utah.

Last year, the Huskies ranked fifth in conference in rushing offense. With the entire unit returning this season, it will be their biggest offensive strength behind a more experienced offensive line. Hit your opponent with the ground-and-pound, run the clock and continue to improve on last year’s defensive numbers.

How to bet Washington this season

Washington can win at home. They hold a 51-14 win/loss record in the last 10 years but are 35-30 ATS in that same period, 5-6 ATS at home in the last two seasons. I’ll look to the Huskies to win games at home but maybe not to cover spreads.

Utah Utes

Season win total OVER 8.5 (-155), UN (+125)

Win Pac-12 South (+250)

Win Pac-12 (+700)

In the conference last year, Utah ranked first in rushing defense, first in passing defense efficiency, top five in sacks, third in opponent first downs, and second in opponent third-down conversions. This group returns nine starters and looks to be as good if not better than last year.

Offensively, the Utes were first in time of possession and had a really good kicker who made all eight field goals out of eight attempts. Reports say there is a quarterback battle between redshirt sophomore Cameron Rising and Baylor transfer Charlie Brewer but it’s hard for me to see Brewer not get the starting job. Rising has six career pass attempts to Brewer’s 65 total passing touchdowns and 9,700 passing yards thrown.

With the entire offensive line returning, give me a Big 12 quarterback who has proven he can win games (Baylor went 11-3 in 2019), and can be a dual threat (15 rushing touchdowns in the last two seasons). I am fully interested in seeing what this team can produce this season.

How to bet Utah this season

Utah is a good bet ATS in conference. In the last five years, Utes are 28-14-1 ATS against Pac-12 opponents, 11-4 ATS in the last two seasons. Their first conference game comes at home in Week 4 against Washington State.

Stanford Cardinal

Season win total OVER 4 (+100), UN (-130)

Win Pac-12 North (+200)

Win Pac-12 (+5000)

Stanford could start out the season 0-2, if not 0-3. This Cardinal team will have an inexperienced quarterback (combined two career starts) and an inexperienced offensive line (lost starting center Drew Dalman) with a defense that allowed 439 yards per game last year. Their entire schedule consists of Power Five teams and they play USC, Arizona State, Washington State and Oregon State away.

If there's an UNDER to bet, I’d take Stanford UNDER 4 wins (-130).

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