College football seems to have forgotten about the Pac-12 as a CFP contender. The conference is in a tough spot as USC and UCLA are leaving for the Big 10, and rumors circulate about which program might leave next. This preview will look at season props for each team in the conference. If you like high-scoring games after midnight, the Pac-12 is for you.
Arizona Wildcats
- National Title Odds: 1000:1
- Conference Odds: 250:1
- To Make Playoffs: N/A
- Regular Season Wins: Over 3 -145; Under 3 +125
Second-year head coach Jedd Fisch and the wildcats take on one of the more difficult schedules in the Pac-12 this season. They start at San Diego State, host Mississippi State and NDSU in the first three weeks, followed by games at Utah and UCLA down the schedule. While the schedule does them no favors, there is reason to be optimistic about the direction of the program. Arizona finished the season out last year with a win over Cal and losing to Utah and Washington by 14 points total.
Pick: Win total over 3
Arizona State Sundevils
- National Title Odds: 300:1
- Conference Odds: 28:1
- To Make Playoffs: N/A
- Regular Season Wins: Over 6 +110; Under 6 -130
This team is a case of perception versus reality, a bevy of players left through the transfer portal including QB Jayden Daniels. The narrative is focused on the departure of their 2021 production, the portal also brought in good transfers from the SEC. Looks like a good buy low spot on a team and program that has gotten nothing but negative press in recent memory.
Pick: Win total over 6
California Golden Bears
- National Title Odds: 500:1
- Conference Odds: 60:1
- To Make Playoffs: N/A
- Regular Season Wins: Over 5.5 -130; Under 5.5 +110
Since being hired in 2017 Justin Wilcox has an uninspiring 26-28 record with Cal. Despite the losing record though they post a respectable 29-23-2 mark ATS. The formula remains the same – search for offensive consistency and run a pesky red-zone defense. This is a must-make bowl season for Wilcox, but the under is the play with opportunities to hedge during the season.
Pick: Win total under 5.5
Colorado Buffaloes
- National Title Odds: 1000:1
- Conference Odds: 250:1
- To Make Playoffs: N/A
- Regular Season Wins: Over 3 +135; Under 3 -160
A questionable hire two years ago but Karl Dorrell has made the most of his tenure at Colorado. In both seasons he has outperformed oddsmakers’ season win total. The transfer portal has been a key to filling out this roster as they look for answers in the secondary and offensive skill positions. Last season this team has a field goal loss to Texas A&M before getting outscored 112-27 in 3 games against Minnesota, Arizona State, and USC. This reflects a roster that is in transition and looking for more consistency to compete week in and week out.
Pick: Win total under 3
Oregon Ducks
- National Title Odds: 90:1
- Conference Odds: 2.8:1
- To Make Playoffs: Yes +1200; No -3000
- Regular Season Wins: Over 8.5 -135; Under 8.5 +115
There is no better example of how much things can change from year to year in college football. They lost their head coach to Miami and defensive stud, Kayvon Thibodeaux, to the NFL. Oregon had legitimate playoff hopes after beating Ohio State as a two-touchdown underdog last September. This year it will be too much turnover in the roster and coaching to compete in the Pac-12.
Pick: Win total under 8.5
Oregon State Beavers
- National Title Odds: 350:1
- Conference Odds: 25:1
- To Make Playoffs: N/A
- Regular Season Wins: Over 6.5 +115; Under 6.5 -135
The Beavers are on the rise in the Jonathon Smith era, starting dead last in the Pac-12 in his first season in 2018 he took the team to the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl in 2021. They’ve proved to be dynamic on offense, finishing 5th in success rate. They are also anchored by a defense that finished in the top 20 in defensive finishing drives. The Beavers will be favorites over Montana State and Cal and at worst be coin flips against Boise, Fresno State, Stanford, Washington State, and Colorado.
Pick: Win total over 6.5
USC Trojans
- National Title Odds: 25:1
- Conference Odds: 2.2:1
- To Make Playoffs: Yes +400; No -550
- Regular Season Wins: Over 9.5 +105; Under 9.5 -125
USC comes off a dynamic offseason in which they poached Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma and inked a deal to join the Big 10 in 2024. They look to carry that momentum into the 2022 season as they’ve added massive talent on the field as well as off. Former Oklahoma QB Caleb Williams was the grand prize for Riley but they also add blue chip talent in Travis Dye from Oregon and Mario Williams from Oklahoma. USC should be electric on offense and if they rebuild the defense they should compete for National Titles with Lincoln Riley at the helm.
Pick: Over 9.5
UCLA Bruins
- National Title Odds: 180:1
- Conference Odds: 9:1
- To Make Playoffs: N/A
- Regular Season Wins: Over 8.5 -105; Under 8.5 -115
An 8-win season beat oddsmakers’ expectations of the Bruins in 2021 and the team brings back 61% of their offense and just 34% of their defense. A win total of 8.5 would require Chip Kelly to have his highest win total season in his tenure as head coach. A relatively soft nonconference schedule will help him achieve that, but I have a hard time seeing this team get to 9 wins.
Pick: Win total under 8.5
Stanford Cardinals
- National Title Odds: 600:1
- Conference Odds: 90:1
- To Make Playoffs: N/A
- Regular Season Wins: Over 4.5 +110; Under 4.5 -130
The Cardinals are one of the more tricky teams to figure out this year. The roster has talent, and David Shaw has proven to be a very capable head coach. Stanford continues to play one of the toughest schedules in college football after playing an all-FBS schedule in 2021. This season they open with FCS Colgate and play Notre Dame and BYU later in the year.
Pick: Win total under 4.5
Utah Utes
- National Title Odds: 50:1
- Conference Odds: 2.4:1
- To Make Playoffs: Yes +425; No -600
- Regular Season Wins: Over 9 -125; Under 9 +105
There’s so much to love about this program; head coach Kyle Whittingham and QB Cam Rising will continue to dominate the west coast and aim for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Utah ended the season with a bang in the Rose Bowl with a 48-45 loss to Ohio State, which proved they can compete with the top teams on the biggest stages. Utah will be favored in every game on their 2022 schedule. Look for Utah to have another phenomenal season.
Pick: Utah yes to make the playoffs
Washington Huskies
- National Title Odds: 250:1
- Conference Odds: 14:1
- To Make Playoffs: N/A
- Regular Season Wins: Over 7.5 -130; Under 7.5 +110
There’s a lot to like about the direction this program is heading. Kalen DeBoer takes over as head coach after the disastrous tenure of Jimmy Lake. There are plenty of opportunities to ride the stability with this coaching staff and lots of talent at skill positions.
Pick: Win total over 7.5
Washington State Cougars
- National Title Odds: 400:1
- Conference Odds: 45:1
- To Make Playoffs: N/A
- Regular Season Wins: Over 5.5 +105; Under 5.5 -125
Washington State could be a dark horse to contend for a Pac-12 Championship in 2022 and certainly worth an investment on the team win total. The schedule is favorable as they have just four conference road games that include Stanford and Arizona.
Pick: Win total over 5.5