The four teams atop the Pac-12 have not dominated the point spread to the degree they have whacked around opponents this fall.
Oregon, UCLA, USC and Utah are 27-5 overall this season but only 20-12 against the number, which is hardly surprising given how the lines are set to draw equal action on each side.
To maintain their winning ways with the betting public, the Big Four must cover some huge spreads in Week 10.
Here are records against the spread for each Pac-12 team, according to teamrankings.com:
6-2: Oregon State and Oregon
5-3: Arizona, UCLA, USC and Washington State
4-4: ASU, Cal, Utah and Washington
2-6: Colorado and Stanford
To the details for Week 10 …
Lines from Bovada, and trends from oddshark.com and Phil Steele’s College Football 2022.
Oregon State at Washington (Friday)
Line: Washington -4.5 (total: 60.5)
Comment: No edge in preparation with both teams coming off a bye. The teams have split the previous two meetings with three points separating their total scores. The Huskies have covered the spread once in their past five games overall. The Over has been the right call in OSU’s past six road games and in seven of UW’s past nine (anywhere). The Huskies have the No. 1 passing offense (by yards) in the country while the Beavers own the top pass defense in the conference. Last OSU victory in Husky Stadium: 2008. Early forecast: 90 percent chance of rain in Seattle.
Oregon at Colorado
Line: Oregon -31 (total: 61.5)
Comment: A whopper of a point spread for a matchup that places an irresistible force (Oregon’s offense) against a highly moveable object (Colorado’s defense). The Ducks have covered the spread in seven of the past nine meetings and slapped the Buffs around for 52 points last year. For both teams, the Over has covered in six of the past seven games overall. That said, this could be a look-ahead situation for Oregon with rivals Washington and Utah looming the next two weeks.
Washington State at Stanford
Line: WSU -4.5 (total: 48.5)
Comment: A low total, and for good reason: Stanford has scored 16, 15 and 13 points in its past three games while the Cougars have managed 14, 10 and 17. If neither offense can reach 20, which team has the better defense? WSU, by far. The Cougars are allowing a full yard-per-play less than the Cardinal this season. In the series specifically, WSU has covered the past six games and won five in a row outright. Slight chance of rain in the Bay Area this weekend, which could push the total even lower.
Cal at USC
Line: USC -20 (total: 58)
Comment: The Bears have lost four in a row and averaged just 16.8 points over that span. Meanwhile, their defense is struggling to hold up with the last two opponents, Washington and Oregon, combining for 70 points. USC’s attack is comparable in skill level, hence the eye-opening point spread for a series that has been fairly close over the past five years. The Bears have one road victory since the start of the 2020 season, and that was a mere 45 miles away (at Stanford last year). The Under has been the call in six of the past seven series meetings.
UCLA at Arizona State
Line: UCLA -10.5 (total: 62)
Comment: Potential letdown situation for the Bruins following the loss at Oregon and the bounce-back home blowout at Stanford. UCLA has covered the spread in four of the past five games in Tempe. The Over is tempting with the Bruins’ high-powered offense and a wobbly ASU defense. Look for quarterback Trenton Bourguet to start again for the Sun Devils, who have scored 45 and 42 points in his two appearances. High-level competition is nothing new for ASU, which has played four ranked opponents (Oklahoma State, Utah, USC and Washington).
Arizona at Utah
Line: Utah -17.5 (total: 67.5)
Comment: Although the Utes have yet to name a starter, we expect Cam Rising to take the first snaps. Does it matter? Perhaps not. At home, Utah should have its way against the worst defense in the conference: The Wildcats have given up a mind-numbing 212 points in five league games. Can they score enough to keep pace? Quarterback Jayden de Laura experienced the rowdy atmosphere in Rice-Eccles Stadium two years ago with Washington State (17 of 28, one touchdown and one interception). Early forecast: 40% chance of rain in Salt Lake City.
