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Washington vs Utah 2018 PAC-12 Championship Odds & Preview

Washington vs Utah 2018 PAC-12 Championship Odds & Preview

Written by on November 29, 2018

NCAAF News and Betting Previews| Xbet.ag
Many Pac-12 showdowns in the past have involved high-flying offenses taking one another on and producing video-game level scores. Such programs as UCLA, the University of Oregon and the University of Washington, as well as Washington State, have put up huge numbers historically. However, this year’s Pac-12 title game features two teams that have put defense as their number one priority, and the results have shown on the field. Neither Washington (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12) nor Utah (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12) will make it to the College Football Playoff, but their defenses have brought them to the conference championship, which could well turn into a low-scoring affair. We have put together a NCAAF betting preview for Friday night’s championship for you to consider.

Washington vs Utah 2018 PAC-12 Championship Odds & Preview

When: Friday, November 30, 2018, 8:00pm ET Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA TV: FOX Radio: Washington IMG Sports Network / Utah Utes Sports Network Live Stream: Fox Sports GO 2018 PAC-12 Championship Odds: Washington -3.5, O/U 43.5

Why should you bet on the Huskies?

Washington played Utah in the regular season and delivered a 21-7 win. They pulled off a significant upset in their regular season finale, knocking off Washington State, 28-15, in the Apple Cup last weekend. The snow played a role in slowing down the Cougars’ passing game, but Washington was able to get traction on the cold ground, and it was an 80-yard scamper by Myles Gaskin that put the Huskies up 13 in the fourth quarter. Washington gained more than twice as many yards as Washington State, and Gaskin had 170 total yards with three scores. Quarterback Jake Browning has been solid, if not spectacular, for the Huskies this season, throwing for 16 touchdowns against nine interceptions. The defense has limited opponents to 16.5 points per contest. The Huskies have covered just once in their last seven games overall and just once in their last five games against a team with a winning record. They have their starting quarterback and tailback ready to go for Friday night, which is not something that Utah can say. If you like Washington, you think their defense can stifle a Ute offense that has been opportunistic, and that their offense can find enough room down the field to put up points.

Why should you put your money on the Utes?

Utah finished the regular season on a three-game winning streak, storming past Oregon and Colorado to close out their Pac-12 slate and then beating BYU in a non-conference game last weekend. In the win over BYU, Utah went into the locker room down 20-0 at halftime but then ran off 35 points after the intermission to deliver a 35-27 win. Jason Shelley went 19 for 28 for 141 yards and a touchdown through the air, and he also ran for 61 yards and a score. Shelley is the backup, as Tyler Huntley is gone for the season, but Shelley has done a solid job leading the team down the stretch. The key is the defense, which has held opponents to an average of 19.3 points per game. However, allowing those 27 points to BYU is a red flag. Utah has covered the spread in four of their last five neutral-site contests and in seven of their last eight games played on grass. If you like the Utes here, you think that their grinding defense and their relatively pedestrian offense can control the battle for the time of possession and keep Washington from establishing their game.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

Utah has played well down the stretch to take the Pac-12 South title. However, they lost by 14 to Washington when they had their starters, and now two key offensive players are on the shelf. I see Washington continuing that momentum they built against Washington State and winning, 27-17, to take this year’s Pac-12 title.
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