It’s conference championship week in college football, and the Pac-12 joins the party this year with it’s first conference title game. Thanks to the addition of Colorado and Utah, the Pac-12 had enough teams this year to create a title game. The University of Oregon beat out Stanford to represent the Pac-12 North. UCLA finished second in the Pac-12 South behind rival USC, but will play in the title game thanks to the postseason ban on the Trojans. The Ducks are at home and are heavily favored. Does UCLA have a shot at the upset?
When Oregon is on Offense
Electric. Dynamic. Prolific. Explosive. All are great adjectives to describe the Oregon offense this season. The Ducks were 3rd in the nation this season in scoring at 45.9 points per game. They scored over 50 points four times this season and scored 69 points against Nevada. Only one team, #1 LSU, held them to less than 30 points this year. Oregon’s 27 points against the Tigers was the most they gave up to any team all season long.
The Ducks like to spread the field and create space for their speedy backs and receivers. Junior LaMichael James is the main threat averaging 7.2 yards per carry this season on his way to 1,427 yards rushing. In addition to James, the Ducks will hand it off to Kenjon Barner who averaged 6.5 yards per carry this season. Quarterback Darron Thomas has been very efficient this season with 27 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions.
The UCLA Bruins defense will have its hands full on Friday in Eugene. The Bruins gave up an average of 30.8 points per game this season including 50 points in the regular season finale against USC.
When UCLA is on Offense
Can UCLA’s offense come through in Rick Neuheisel’s last game as coach of the Bruins? I doubt it. UCLA was shut out in their last game and finished the season 88th in the nation in scoring at 23.2 points per game. Quarterback Kevin Prince has been unimpressive, completing less than 60% of his passes with 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Running backs Jonathan Franklin (912 yards) and Derrick Coleman (643 yards) helped the Bruins average 193.3 yards per game on the ground.
Oregon and UCLA vs. Common Opponents
Oregon and UCLA played 8 common opponents this season (Oregon State, USC, Stanford, Colorado, Washington State, Arizona, Cal, Arizona State, and USC). Oregon went 7-1 in those games and outscored their opponents 365-192. Against the same opponents, UCLA went 5-3 and were outscored 235-191.
Pac-12 Title Game Betting Lines
The University of Oregon is currently favored by 31 points over the Bruins, and if I’m betting on this game I am taking the Ducks to cover. Oregon is far more talented than the Bruins and they are playing in front of their home crowd at Autzen Stadium. For UCLA to keep this game close they will need a lot of turnovers and a lot of luck. I just don’t see it happening.