Handicapping the Pac-12 Football Championship Chase - News Block

Presentation of the Utah Utes 2022 Pac-12 Championship Trophy.

Although the college football season is over two months away, online casinos have their odds posted for the 2023 Pac-12 Championship.

This is one of the dead periods for college fans. Spring practice ended a long time ago; summer camps are a month away, and any recruiting news is focused on the class of 2024.

Just because it’s quiet now doesn’t mean all interest in the upcoming season is hanging in the air. Online casinos are ready to bet on the 2023 PacChampionship by offering their odds of winning.

With a little help from Gaming Today, we’ve got odds on Fan Duels, Draft Kings, Bet MGM, and Caesars. Our guide is divided into several categories based on ROI, not necessarily who will win the title.

The odds listed with the team are the best for the bettor of the four sites.

good bets

Oregon State Beavers: +1200 (Draft Kings)

For those trying to find a dark horse, the state of Oregon is it. They won 10 games in 2022 and could be better this year.

Very quietly, Jonathan Smith built a solid program at Corvallis. The Beavers could have the best running back in the West, or at least the Pac-12, sophomore Adrián Martínez.

Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei transferred to OSU this spring after failing at Clemson. A former 5-Star recruit, he has the talent to turn his career around under Smith’s guidance.

Washington Huskies +475 (MGM Bet)

UW was in the title hunt last year to the very end. A charged passing attack led by quarterback Michael Penix returns their top four receivers, Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, Ja’Lynn Polk and Giles Jackson.

If the offensive line comes together for Game 3, the Washington Huskies could leave East Lansing, Michigan, as a top-five team before Pac-12 play begins.

Also, his defense is underrated. UW pass rushers will terrorize opposing quarterbacks all season long. That pressure will give his talented secondaries opportunities to make plays.

Utah Utes +550 (Fan Duel)

Jump on it. The two-time defending conference champions are better than a 5:1 bet.

With so much hype around Pac-12 squads with Heisman candidates, Utah might have the best team overall.

One lesson opponents have learned the hard way is to never underestimate a team led by Kyle Whittingham. The Utes are solid on both sides of the ball.

bad bets

USC Trojans +210 (Draft Kings)

USC is still the Pac-12’s premier program, and they have defending Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. Casinos know this, which is why the odds are so bad.

They are not worth betting on for a 2:1 payout.

UCLA Bruins +1,800 (Fan Duel)

Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Zach Charbonnet are in the NFL, which decimates UCLA’s offense. The Bruins aren’t even the best team in their city, let alone the Pac-12 conference.

Both Los Angeles schools are heading to the Big Ten in 2024 and will have big goals all season.

meh bet

Oregon Ducks +325 (MGM Bet)

As the second favorite on the board, expectations are once again high for Oregon. Head coach Dan Lanning did a great job taking over from Mario Cristóbal last year.

Bo Nix is the Ducks’ dual-threat quarterback who could lead them to a championship in 2023. At just over 3:1, a bet on UO could be worth it.

wasting your money

Arizona: +10,000 (Fan Duel and Bet MGM)

Jedd Fisch is finally going to turn around the beleaguered Wildcats program. Just not this year.

Colorado: +15,000 (fan duel)

While it may be “sexy” for some to jump on the Coach Prime bandwagon, the Colorado Buffaloes are far from a conference title.

Stanford: +30,000 (Caesars)

Have you ever heard the saying, “Don’t bring a knife to a shootout?” If Cardinal’s new coach, Troy Taylor, doesn’t know what it means, he’ll figure it out fast.

California Golden Bears: +8,000 Bet MGM)

Go to Stanford but trade the knife for a slingshot. Seriously, Cal doesn’t have enough guns to compete in the Pac-12 this year.

Why not bet $10?

Washington State Cougars: +4,000 (fan duel)

It’s not all gloom for the Washington State Cougars in 2023. Several talented position players are returning.

In the offseason, Wazzu added the most explosive offensive coordinator in college football, Ben Arbuckle, to the team. He and quarterback Cameron Ward could create some magic on the Palouse.

Arizona State Solar Devils: +15,000 (Caesars)

While Arizona State has a very slim chance of going all the way, they could take a chance if some of the favorites falter. At +15,000, the odds are too good not to take a little flyer on the Sun Devils.