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
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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