Utah Utes vs. Washington Huskies Football: Prediction, Betting Odds For 2018 Pac-12 Championship

The Pac-12 will not have a team in the College Football Playoff, but on Friday night, one program will end its Rose Bowl drought. The No. 11 Washington Huskies (9-3) meet the No. 17 Utah Utes (9-3) at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with Utah seeking its first trip to the Rose Bowl and Washington looking to return for the first time since 2000.

Washington is seeking its second conference championship in three years, while Utah is hoping to win its first Pac-12 crown. The Utes have only been in the conference since 2011.

Oddsmakers expect a tight game. Washington opened as a 3-point favorite but most sportsbooks now have the Huskies favored by 5.5 points, according to Vegas Insider. The over/under is 44.5 points.

In Week 3, the Huskies traveled to Utah and held off the Utes, 21-7. Washington's defense forced three turnovers and Huskies running back Myles Gaskin rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown.

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham boasted of his team's experience heading into the conference championship.

"If you were to pinpoint one area…it’s the way our seniors operated," Whittingham said. "Incredible quality with that group and the leadership that they’ve displayed all season long has been incredible."

Washington head coach Chris Petersen praised the tough and determined approach of his roster.

"I think they’re pretty hard-working, kind of business-like. Haven’t gotten too up or too down on any win [or loss]," Petersen said. "They just really haven’t flinched and that’s what I’m proud of. I don’t know how to handle this expectation thing, because expectation can be the kiss of death…I think it adds pressure on those guys. I think they’ve worked hard."

Prediction: The first game was a defensive battle but the second matchup should see more points, as the Utes' offense has scored 30 or more points in their last three games. However, Washington appears to have a more balanced attack and should do enough to earn a win.

Washington over Utah, 34-24