Once featured as perhaps the dominant brand in college football along with the SEC and the Big Ten, the Pac-12 conference is now at a crossroads. With news of bedrock teams like USC and UCLA set to move to the Big Ten in the near future along with squads like Oregon potentially looking to do the same, the premier west coast conference is facing an identity crisis. Regardless, this season of the Pac-12 football action will feature a lot of high-flying action that the conference is known for. Returning as the reigning champion is the University of Utah, which will have to contend with a revitalized USC and 2021-22 runner-ups Oregon.
For this report, SBS will go over what to look for from each squad favored to win the 2021-22 Pac-12 championship and also more thoughts about NCAA football betting.
One of college football’s most recognizable brands, USC is geared up for perhaps their best season in over a decade. With former head coach Clay Helton being relieved of his duties in the fall of last year, Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley has come over as the new savior of the Trojans. In addition to Riley, USC has also added a new playmaker at quarterback in Sooners transfer Caleb Williams. Recognized by the Pac-12 media members as the third-best team in the conference, USC could make a lot of noise by returning to the top of the mountain in the conference once again.
Thanks to a tremendous job by head coach Kyle Whittingham, Utah is coming into this season as the reigning kings of the Pac-12. Though the Utes did end last season with a dramatic loss in the Rose Bowl to Ohio State, 48-45, they still finished the season as the No. 12 team in the country. Thanks to what should be a veteran defense led by defensive back Clark Phillips III, Utah has what it takes to repeat as conference champions. A battle-tested team, they were selected by the Pac-12 media as the squad to beat in 2022.
The Flying Ducks are always a popular choice to win the Pac-12, given their flashy style of play and even flashier uniform combos. Linebacker Noah Sewell leads the Ducks’ defense with a hard-nosed style and is a preseason favorite for the Lott Trophy in only his sophomore campaign. Another athlete to look out for is sophomore running back Byron Caldwell, who is set for a breakout season and a throwback to the days of Oregon legend LaMichael James. However, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning will be in his first year at the helm, which might be a hindrance to the Ducks in relation to other squads with year-to-year continuity.
Led by offensive guru Chip Kelly, the Bruins are a dark horse contender to compete for a Pac-12 championship. Coming off a 8-4 campaign and an appearance in the Holiday Bowl (it was canceled), the Bruins had one of their better seasons in recent memory. Outscoring their opponents by a combined total of 438 to 321 for the season, UCLA is looking to do even more damage in the Pac-12 South Division in their swan song campaign. With multiple athletes being named to preseason watch lists, the Bruins are a sneaky contender in the Pac-12.
Prediction: Though USC is the sexy pick by the public for a return to glory, Utah has been the steady hand for a couple years now a solid choice to win again.
As you are wrapping up your preseason NCAA football bets on the Pac-12, make sure to check out our amazing college football betting resources. This includes our NCAAF betting sites breakdown, which gives over all kinds of news and betting markets related to college football. Moreover, if you are looking to get the most out of your bets (and who isn’t), then the SBS best bonus betting sites rundown is exactly what you need to juice up your wagers. On a final note, if you are perhaps unsure which payment or deposit methods are available, we have you covered. This is where the SBS payment methods guide comes in handy, so you can always be one step ahead of the action.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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