Huskies Look to Sweep Their Way into the Rose Bowl

There's a significant portion of college football fans on the West Coast who don't consider a Rose Bowl berth to be a CFP consolation prize.

Thus, winning the Pac-12 championship is a huge deal, playoff or no.

Remember, if the Granddaddy of Them All didn't originate the concept, who knows what the USA's holiday scenario would be?

They actually tried chariot races back in the day. Project that to modern times ...

 

Actually, that might've been more cool.

It would've left the FBS free to do something else in December like ... you know ... have a real tournament like the other college divisions do.

 

Exactly.

The Washington Huskies have a history of storied Rose Bowl appearances, which the Utah Utes -- fully endorsed by the Ute nation -- are still trying to Pasadena on New Year's Day for the first time in their history.

Bovada has the line at the Huskies -5½ with the total set at 46 and the moneyline at Washington -220 and Utah +180.

Why bet on Utah ...

The Utes' 2018 conference championship run this season is built on their defense, which is allowing an average of 19.3 points and 315.8 yards per game. That ranks them second in the Pac-12.

On offense, dudes are averaging 30.8-points per game. That's the program’s second-highest mark since joining the Pac-12 in 2011.

They hosted the Huskies in Salt Lake City on Sat 15 Sep, with Washington winning, 21-7.

 

Utah has since switched QBs, with Tyler Huntley injured in the Sun Devils game. Freshman Jason Shelley's had three games as a started to get set for this one, and he's adapting quickly.

Dude led the Utes on a 28-point comeback against archrival BYU for an impressive 35-27 victory:

 

Why bet on Washington ...

The Huskies are 5-1 straight-up and 3-3 against the spread against Utah since the start of the 2011-12 season.

As we noted, the Utes have the Pac-12's second-best defense. Washington has the best. They just got done throttling the high-flying Washington State Cougars, handing Mike Leach, Gardner Minshew II & Co only their second loss of the season, 28-15, in a game that wasn't that close:

 

Moreover, the Huskies have the experience.Dudes have played in a Pac-12 Championship Game, winning it in 2016.

If you need more convincing, then Huskies coach Chris Petersen is 11-5 against the spread when favored by 3½ -10 points.

 

Instant analysis ...

This is the first time all season the Huskies have been at full strength with the return of three key players. Without some or all of them, they lost three games by a total of 10 points.

Washington felt before the season that they could well be in the CFP. With health and a play or two going their way, they might well have. But they've not been to a Rose Bowl since 2001.

They're on a mission.

ATS pick: Washington -5½
Total pick: Under 46

Results: Washington 10 Utah 3 ... Huskies cover ... Under covers

***

Sportbet Columnist: Noah Williams

Noah lives and works with a simple philosophy of “Eat, Drink, Football.” This is embodied through a dedication to satellite TV, Indian delivery, Folgers in his cup, and Budweiser. He lives in a secret lair with his beautiful concubine.