Oregon vs Washington Prediction & Pac-12 Championshp Game Best Bets: Ducks, Huskies Duel With CFP Spot at Stake

What will the Pac-12 be at this time next year or in the years to come? It’s anyone’s guess at this point. But after a memorable 2023 season, Pac-12 football as we know it could not have a better send-off, as #5 Oregon will meet #3 Washington in the final Pac-12 Championship Game–for now, at least–with a place in the College Football Playoff at stake (8:00 pm ET, ABC).

The CFP era has not been a pleasant one for the Pac-12, with Oregon’s runner-up finish in 2014 and Washington’s semifinal showing in 2016 the only appearances for the conference in the first nine editions of the CFP.

But no matter who takes the win at Allegiant Stadium, the current iteration of the Pac-12 will have a chance to head off into the sunset with a national championship.

Bet on Oregon vs Washington and Other Conference Championship Games at BetDSI

But will it be the Ducks (11-1, 8-1 Pac-12) or Huskies (12-0, 9-0 Pac-12) in college football’s final four?

When the longtime rivals met in Seattle in October, Washington claimed a thrilling 36-33 win at Lumen Field, courtesy of a late touchdown toss from Michael Penix Jr. to Rome Odunze.

However, Oregon is favored by nearly double digits ahead of the rematch at a neutral venue. And along with a trip to the CFP, a win for the Ducks could lock up a big piece of individual hardware for quarterback Bo Nix.

Oregon vs Washington Odds

Odds are courtesy of Bovada.

Spread

• Oregon -9.5 (-115)
• Washington +9.5 (-105)

Over/Under

• Over 65.5 (-115)
• Under 65.5 (-105)

Moneyline

• Oregon -380
• Washington +290

Will Washington’s Offense Rediscover Its Rhythm at the Right Time?

After Washington defeated Oregon in October, Huskies QB Michael Penix Jr. was the man to beat for the Heisman Trophy.

However, entering the Pac-12 Championship Game, Penix appears to be a distant third in the race behind Nix and LSU QB Jayden Daniels. At BetOnline, Nix is a -300 favorite, with Daniels at +200 and Penix at +2500.

In the six games since the Oregon win, Penix has 12 touchdown passes (with four interceptions) and three rushing touchdowns, and he has thrown at least two touchdown passes in each of his last five games.

But while he has produced some clutch moments to help the Huskies stay on track for the CFP, Penix has fallen behind in the Heisman race down the stretch.

Why? For the season, he is averaging 324.9 passing yards per game, but after throwing for 300+ yards in each of his first six games this season, he has hit that number only twice in his last six games. Over the past two games against Oregon State and Washington State, he completed only 31 of 61 passes (50.8%) for 366 yards.

In each of the last two seasons, Penix has produced a big performance to lead Washington to a win over Oregon, and if the Huskies are to have the best possible chance to down the Ducks, he is going to have to reprise those heroics.

Michael Penix vs Oregon

• 2022 (37-34 W at Oregon): 26 of 35, 408 yards, 2 TD, INT
• 2023 (36-33 W vs Oregon): 22 of 37, 302 yards, 4 TD, INT

While Penix’s Heisman stock has dropped in recent weeks, Nix’s has gone the opposite direction as he has helped the Ducks remain in Pac-12 title and CFP contention.

Since the Washington loss, Nix has 20 touchdown passes (and only one interception) and five touchdown runs, and he enters the rematch with the Huskies with 1,569 passing yards in his last four games.

Nix, who has been picked off only twice in 401 attempts this season, leads the FBS in passing yards (3,906) and completion percentage (78.6%), is second in touchdown passes (37), and fifth among qualified passers in yards per pass attempt (9.7).

Washington’s defense has done a serviceable enough job in close wins over Utah, Oregon State, and Washington State, allowing only 17 second-half points and forcing seven turnovers in the three games.

But if Penix can’t get rolling early and keep rolling for the duration, the Huskies will be in a lot of trouble against Oregon and Nix, who will be looking to erase the sting of two agonizing losses to Washington.

Oregon vs Washington Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction: Washington to win

Best Bets: Washington +9.5 (-105 at Bovada) & Washington team total over 27.5 points (-125 at Bovada)

While the Huskies have been cutting it close, they have still been finding ways to win in close contests, which has been a regular occurrence in the last two seasons.

Since a 45-38 loss at Arizona State in October of last year, Washington has won 19 straight games, and they are 10-0 in one-score games in that win streak. As good as Nix and the Ducks are, that kind of success is hard to look past.

Where to Bet on College Football

Most top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of college football odds throughout the season.

In addition to being able to make weekly college football picks all the way from Week Zero to the College Football Playoff National Championship, you can also bet on Heisman Trophy odds, conference championship odds, win totals, and much more.

There are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for college football betting. Below are some of the books that we highly recommend:

• BetDSI
• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

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