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College football fans find one aspect of the upcoming Pac-12 championship game peculiar: the discrepancy between Sportsbook lines and the teams' positions in the College Football Playoff rankings.
Surprisingly, the team ranked higher in the College Football Playoff standings is not regarded as the favorite for the championship.
Despite being ranked at No. 5 compared to No. 3 Washington, Oregon is a 10-point favorite. Washington also posted a 36-33 win over Oregon in the regular season, sealing the win as the Ducks' game-tying field goal attempt went wide.
In this article, we examine the reasons why the Ducks are favored over the Huskies for the Pac-12 title.
Why is Oregon favored over Washington?
Oregon has emerged as one of the standout teams in the 2023 college football season. Under Dan Lanning, their sole setback in an otherwise impressive regular season seems to be their loss to Washington.
Following that setback, Oregon has arguably been the best team in the nation. The Ducks have showcased dominance, securing decisive victories against most opponents, with quarterback Bo Nix consistently delivering elite performances.
The Ducks rank second in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 45.2 points per game. Oregon also showcases a formidable defense, ranking seventh in the country in scoring defense with an average of 15.9 points per game.
This makes them the favorite for the championship game.
The outcome of the Pac-12 championship game will significantly influence the postseason trajectory for the involved teams. The victor is likely to secure a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff, while the vanquished team may find itself in one of the New Year’s Six bowls.
Oregon vs Washington Head-to-Head
Washington and Oregon have a rich history, having faced each other 114 times. Their inaugural meeting took place on Dec. 1, 1900. Since that first encounter, the rivalry has evolved steadily, shaping into the significant matchup it is today.
Washington holds the lead in the Border War rivalry series with a 61-48-5 record.
