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Pac 12 Conference: 2014 College Football Gambling Picks | Futures

2014 Pac 12 Preview: Betting Futures

The dynamic of the Pac-12 was turned on its head when one clever pundit tabbed the UCLA Bruins as the top team in the nation. The conference figures to be quite strong this season, so whichever team is able to come away as champions will have some work to do.

Pac 12 Title Contenders

Pac 12 Odds: Oregon Ducks 11-10

UO are installed as favorites. The return of quarterback Marcus Mariota is the best thing the team has going for it. He’s poised for a Heisman-caliber season, though someone in the team’s depleted receiving corps will need to emerge for that to happen.

The team’s toughest test in the North division will of course be the Stanford Cardinal (+650). Oregon has the luxury of getting that game in Eugene, and with the way the division sets up, that could be the difference in deciding which squad represents the division in the Pac-12 title game.

Stanford’s been there in back-to-back seasons. The team has a lot of turnover to deal with this year, particularly on offense, losing 10 starters combined between both sides of the ball. With that said, it was just a couple years ago that they lost nine starters, including Andrew Luck, and still wound up winning the Pac-12.

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New head coach Chris Petersen will surely do big things for the Washington Huskies (14-1). They’re an intriguing dark horse this season, but the reality is they’ll be replacing their top three offensive performers – quarterback Keith Price, running back Bishop Sankey, and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins.

Pac 12 Odds: UCLA Bruins 11-4

Join those two in the elite ranks in the conference. The Bruins get back quarterback Brett Hundley, which has many placing high expectations on Jim Mora’s squad. Hundley also has the luxury of playing behind an improved offensive line after injuries depleted the unit a year ago.

The Bruin defense faces a tall task in replacing linebacker Anthony Barr and defensive end Cassius Marsh, though bigger roles for Myles Jack and Eddie Vanderdoes should stamp out those concerns. Mora has done a great jump of bringing talent into town, though the program may still be a year or two away from entering the College Football Playoff conversation.
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UCLA’s biggest threats in the South will be the USC Trojans (5-1) and Arizona State Sun Devils (12-1). The Trojans were a mess for the majority of last season and Lane Kiffin made his way out the door.

Things settled down for the Trojans once Ed Orgeron took over, and the stability of a full-time head coach should only further help things this season. Steve Sarkisian comes to town after some impressive years at Washington.

Things could be tricky for him in the early going though, as he deals with scholarship limitations and depth issues that echo from the sanctions issued following the Pete Carroll-era.

Pac 12 Odds: Arizona State: 12-1

They’ve taken some big strides forward under Todd Graham. The team has some serious turnover to deal with, starting with running back Marion Grice. Quarterback Taylor Kelly does return, however, and that will mean an increased load will be placed on his shoulders.

The defense was hit even harder in the offense, which will put a lot of pressure on the offense to put up a ton of points every week.

The play: Stanford 6-1

The Cardinal will not be lining up against a very favorable schedule, and they do have plenty of turnover to weather, but the team still has enough talent in town to make an impact, and that starts on the defensive side of the ball.

Playing inside the always offensive-friendly Pac-12, Stanford’s standout defense can again be expected to carry the team into the conference’s title game and beyond.

Here are the complete NCAA Football Betting Odds to win the Pac-12:

  • Arizona Wildcats +3000
  • Oregon State Beavers +3200
  • Washington State Cougars +5000
  • Utah Utes +6600
  • Colorado Buffaloes +30000
  • California Golden Bears +50000

CappersPicks.com brings you the only college football handicapping guide you’ll need. Use the College football previews for the 2014 NCAA football season to help you with your college football handicapping at our top sportsbooks online this season.

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By Gino Bottero

Gino is new to CappersPicks.com but NOT new to the online gambling industry.He's got an AMAZING knack for discovering hidden gems when it comes to betting on sports. Stick with him as he predicts when a team will have a letdown! Check Gino out for NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB betting articles all season long!