Levi's Stadium in San Francisco is the site of Friday's Pac-12 Championship game between Utah and Washington – and there isn't much separating the Utes and Huskies heading into this one. While the Huskies come in as five-point favorites, both teams enter with identical 9-3 records they built in similar fashions – specifically, by boasting elite NCAA defenses. Both sides come into this one having ranked in the top 20 in the nation in scoring defense and rushing yards allowed per game. But if there's one side that has a slight edge, it's the Huskies, who prevailed 21-7 in Utah in the previous meeting between the teams back on Sept. 15.

QUICK HITTER

These teams scored nothing but touchdowns in their prior head-to-head meeting but make no mistake – this game is set up well to produce a few field goals. For starters, the teams combined to boot 37 FGs during the regular season, with Utah's 23 successful kicks ranking tied for third in the nation. The Utes and Huskies are also sensational at defending in the red zone, with the Utes boasting the second-best red-zone defense in the country (62.9 percent) and Washington sitting 34th (80 percent). We like these teams opening the scoring with a three-point play.

Prediction: First scoring play - FG (+170)

FIRST HALF BET

Washington was fortunate to go into halftime of the previous meeting between the teams with a 14-7 lead. The Huskies opened the scoring on Myles Gaskin's 38-yard TD scamper less than four minutes into the game – the second-longest run Utah allowed all season – and Jake Browning's go-ahead one-yard TD run in the second quarter was set up by a 37-yard run from Andre Baccellia. The Utes have tightened up the run defense significantly since then and are well positioned to limit Washington's big-play ability. We suggest taking either side to hold a slim lead entering the half.

Prediction: 1st half winning margin - Utah (+1,100) or Washington (+1,000) by 1-3 points

TEAM/PLAYER BET

Some will point to Utah's offensive struggles in its first meeting with Washington and favor the under on the Utes' team total. But let's consider the fact that Utah committed three turnovers in that loss – and had a plus-5 turnover differential in its other 11 games. By comparison, the Huskies boasted a minus-2 differential in games outside that win. Those turnovers played a major role in the outcome – especially considering that Utah was able to run the ball (4.2 YPC on 29 attempts) while going 9-for-19 on third downs. With Utah having scored 30 or more points in seven of eight, we're leaning toward the over on the team total.

Prediction: Utah Over 19.5 points (-125)

FULL-GAME TOTAL

These teams boast two of the best defenses in the country, but their offenses are better than what they showed in their first meeting. Washington worked to run out the clock once it went up by 14 points, which explains why the Huskies finished with 41 rushing attempts. And we've already talked about what went wrong for the Utes. Washington is averaging better than 32 points over its past three games, while Utah finished tied for fourth in the Pac-12 in scoring. The total for this one feels considerably lower than it should be, even with the teams combining for just 28 points last time out.

Prediction: Over 45 (-110)

FULL-GAME SIDE

While Washington must have done something right to get this far, you can't help but feel like the Huskies underachieved in 2018. Pegged as an outside candidate for a spot in the College Football Playoff entering the season, the Huskies' three losses came by a combined 10 points, but they managed to cover just three times in 12 games. Utah, on the other hand, has played inspired football since dropping consecutive games to Washington and Washington State, going 7-1 SU and 6-2 O/U with five of those outright wins coming by double digits. We're rolling with the hotter team to prevail on a neutral field.

Prediction: Utah moneyline (+180)

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