Handicapping the Pac-12 Football Championship Chase
Chip Clark
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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 is long over; summer camps are a month away, and any recruiting news centers on the class of 2024.
Because it’s quiet now doesn’t mean all interest in next season is just hanging in the air. Online casinos are ready to take bets on the 2023 PacChampionshipship by putting out their odds to win.
With a little help from Gaming Today, we have odds from Fan Duel, Draft Kings, Bet MGM, and Caesars. Our guide is divided into several categories based on a return on investment, not necessarily on who will win the title.
The odds listed with the team are the best for the bettor from the four sites.
Good Bets
Oregon State Beavers: +1,200 (Draft Kings)
For those trying to find a dark horse, Oregon State is it. They won 10 games in 2022 and might be better this year.
Very quietly, Jonathan Smith built a solid program in Corvallis. The Beavers might have the best running back in the west, or at least the Pac-12, sophomore Adrian Martinez.
Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei transferred to OSU this spring after fizzling at Clemson. A former 5-star recruit, he has the talent to turn his career around under Smith’s guidance.
Washington Huskies +475 (Bet MGM)
UW was in the title hunt last year until the end. A loaded passing attack led by quarterback Michael Penix returns all four of its top receivers, Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Giles Jackson.
If the offensive line comes together by Game 3, the Washington Huskies could leave East Lansing, Michigan, as a top-five team before Pac-12 play begins.
Additionally, their defense is underrated. UW pass rushers will terrorize opposing quarterbacks all season. That pressure will give their talented secondary chances to make plays.
Utah Utes +550 (Fan Duel)
Jump on this one. The two-time defending conference champs are better than a 5:1 bet.
With so much hype surrounding Pac-12 squads with Heisman candidates, Utah might have the best overall team.
One lesson opponents have learned the hard way is to never underestimate a Kyle Whittingham-coached team. 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 the defending Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. The Casinos know it, which is why the odds are so bad.
It’s not worth betting on them for somewhere around a 2:1 payoff.
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 leaving for the Big Ten in 2024 and will have huge targets on them all season.
Meh Bet
Oregon Ducks +325 (Bet MGM)
As the second favorite on the board, expectations are once again high for Oregon. Head Coach Dan Lanning did a great job taking over the reins from Mario Cristobal last year.
Bo Nix is the Ducks’ dual-threat quarterback who could lead them to a championship in 2023. At slightly over 3:1, a bet on UO might be worth it.
Wasting your money
Arizona: +10,000 (Fan Duel and Bet MGM)
Jedd Fisch is eventually going to turn the beleaguered Wildcats program around. Just not this year.
Colorado: +15,000 (Fan Duel)
While it might be “sexy” for some to jump on the Coach Prime bandwagon, the Colorado Buffaloes are far away from a conference title.
Stanford: +30,000 (Caesars)
Ever heard the saying, “Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight?” If new Cardinal Coach Troy Taylor doesn’t know what it means, he’ll find out fast.
California Golden Bears: +8,000 Bet MGM)
See Stanford but change knife to slingshot. Seriously, Cal doesn’t have enough weapons to compete in the Pac-12 this year.
Why not gamble $10?
Washington State Cougars: +4,000 (Fan Duel)
It’s not all doom and gloom for the Washington State Cougars in 2023. They return several talented skill position players.
In the offseason, Wazzu added college football’s most explosive offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, to the team. He and quarterback Cameron Ward could create some magic on the Palouse.
Arizona State Sun Devils: +15,000 (Caesars)
While Arizona State has very little chance of going all the way, they could take advantage of an opportunity if some of the favorites falter. At +15,000, the odds are too good not to take a small flier on the Sun Devils.
Who will you place your money on to win the 2023 Pac-12 Championship?