Two teams have won the Pac-12 North since the league split into two divisions prior to the 2011 season. The North Division champ has also captured the Pac-12 title each time. Any guess who those teams might be? Stanford and Oregon have dominated the conference for the past decade, and while both are undergoing roster overhauls, they should be at the top of the heap again during the 2016 season. The teams will square off this season in Autzen Stadium on Saturday, November 12.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Stanford Cardinal +3.5
Oregon Ducks -3.5
Odds Analysis
If you’re a believer in numerology, take note that the wins and losses have come in twos dating back to 2008. Oregon has won the last two and also posted victories in 2010 and 2011. Stanford took the W in 2012 and ‘13 and again in 2008 and ’09. In a more analytical sense, Oregon is 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings at Autzen Stadium.
Last Meeting
The game didn’t decide the Pac-12 North championship, and the Cardinal were pleased about that. After an uncharacteristic slow start to the season, the Ducks entered the Nov. 14 contest needing a win to stay alive in the division race.
In a game that featured more than 900 combined yards of offense, it was a defensive play that kept Oregon in the hunt. After Stanford pulled within two points on a Kevin Hogan touchdown pass with 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Oregon’s beleaguered defense came up with the play to save the game.
Needing to convert the two-point conversion, Hogan’s pass attempt was partially deflected by Joe Walker and the Ducks held on for the 38-36 win. Oregon would finish a game back in the standings when it was done, but the Ducks spoiled any hopes Stanford had of becoming a CFP participant. And that made up for plenty.
The Series
The games have turned into some of the most anticipated matchups on the West Coast with both teams’ rise to power. The Pac-8, -10 and -12 had been dominated by the Southern California schools for the longest time with both winning a majority of the league titles. Since becoming the Pacific-8 Conference in 1968, there hadn’t been more than three years without USC or UCLA tying for, or winning the league title outright.
Oregon broke the spell in 2009, starting the Ducks’ three-year run as league champs. In 2011, the Pac expanded and split into two divisions. Stanford and Oregon were placed in the North, setting off a dynastic run for the Pac-12 for the schools.
Importance
Stanford and Oregon have finished in the top two slots in the North standings since the 2011 realignment. The Cardinal placed as the league’s runner-up in 2010 as well. The two have been juggernauts in the Pac and, not surprisingly, the two have shared the North crown in three of the five seasons. While others have tried, no one has been able to unseat them. Washington is getting plenty of love this year and will give it a shot. But in the end, the division will be decided by the Ducks and Cardinal.
Betting Angle
A game that traditionally features plenty of points will likely not disappoint in 2016. The total played at 61 points or higher in five of last six games and the teams cashed the over three times in those meetings. In the past 11 contests, the over is 9-2.
The Ducks are wicked good at home and the Autzen advantage could play a big role in this year’s meeting. Oregon is 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in the last seven games played in Eugene. The over is 4-1 in the last five.
Quick Pick
The Ducks were just awful defensively last season, finishing last in the conference in many of the statistical categories on that side of the ball. Coach Mark Helfrich quickly made a change after his squad surrendered nearly 500 yards of offense and 37.5 points per game in 2015.
In is former Michigan head coach Brady Hoke to run the defense. He better have some schemes to prevent the big play because Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey will be showing off to Heisman voters. Both teams lost their starting quarterback from 2015 and the Cardinal could hurt the worst.
The point total may fall, but there are enough playmakers on the field to make for another exciting matchup. With the Ducks at home, it’s tough to bet against them with how good they’ve been; minus that Utah game from last season, of course.
NCAA Odds: Oregon 35, Stanford 31
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