2020 Pac 12 Championship Betting Pick: Oregon vs. USC
Undefeated Trojans -3 Point Favorites on Friday Night
USC and Oregon wrap up their regular season schedules in the 2020 Pac 12 Championship betting pick. The 5-0 Trojans would seem to be a popular play as just -3 point favorites over 3-2 Oregon. The Ducks also come into Friday night’s tilt on a two game losing streak, which is why just 31% of the public is taking the points.
What Hope Does Oregon Have Here?
Oregon has to travel to the L.A. Memorial Coliseum on Friday night, trying to snap a two game losing streak. The Ducks lost 41-38 in their rivalry game to Oregon State as -13 point favorites and fell 21-17 to CAL last week as -9 favorites.
The Ducks do come into the 2020 Pac 12 Championship betting pick with new life, after 1st place in the North, Washington, was deemed unable to play because of COVID concerns. Oregon may have had a disappointing end to the regular season, but still have the #1 offense in the conference.
Tyler Shough is also the top-rated passer in the Pac-12, having a QBR of at least 140 in all five games this season. OU will be facing a USC defense that overall has been very good, ranking 2nd in the Pac 12 in points/game allowed. Last week the Trojans gave up a 30/36, 364 yard performance to UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson however, which bodes well for Oregon’s offense on Friday night.
USC Set to Close Things Out
The Trojans showed some weaknesses last week, falling down 28-10 early in the 3rd quarter vs. UCLA. Kedon Slovis threw 4 TD to lead the 43-38 comeback win as -3 point favorites. The win pushed USC to 5-0 on the year, up to the #13 ranking in the country.
The Trojans do have a quick turnaround to game plan against, not knowing Oregon was going to be their opponent until Monday afternoon. The Ducks stomped USC 56-24 on the road last season as -3.5 underdogs, and have won three of the last four in the series. USC is on a roll in 2020 though, ranking 4th in the Pac 12 in total offense.
It could be another big day for Slovis, who has thrown 5 TD in each of the last two games. USC might take a hit if leading rusher Vavae Malepeai remains out after injuring his knee last week vs. UCLA. Oregon gave up 269 yards on the ground vs. Oregon State, but did hold CAL to 88 yards rushing on 47 carries.
Free 2020 Pac 12 Championship Betting Pick
Oregon has new life after getting into the Pac 12 Championship Game thanks to positive COVID tests from Washington. The Ducks don’t have a ton of momentum though after dropping two in a row.
USC will likely be without Malepeai, but have two other RBs who have toted the rock at least 34 times on the season. What’s really strange is that USC is just a -3 point favorite, and the line hasn’t moved despite a ton of public betting coming in on the Trojans. Oregon does have a high quality offense, and were preseason favorites to be in this championship game.
Oregon 35 – USC 31
Free Pick: Oregon +3
