The University of Oregon football team is set to compete for their third consecutive Pac-12 conference title Friday evening in Las Vegas.
No. 10 Oregon, the Pac-12 North Division champs, will face No. 17 Utah, winner of the South Division. The Ducks clinched the Pac-12 North title just last Saturday with their 38-29 win over Oregon State.
The Ducks (10-2 overall, 7-2 Pac-12) won’t just be looking for another conference title, but also for redemption. In their last meeting in November, Oregon lost to the Utes (9-3 overall, 8-1 Pac-12) in a 38-7 blowout, ending the Ducks hopes for a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
Coach Mario Cristobal says a game like this validates a lot of hard work and that earlier loss provides some extra motivation. “All of this has been in play and in the works since January to get here and earn this opportunity to go out there and play our very best, so everyone in the program, everyone in the organization is looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity,” said Cristobal.
The Ducks were ranked as high as No. 3 this year, largely due to their upset victory over Ohio State in week 2. Oregon later suffered a week 5 overtime loss to Stanford before their late season loss to Utah.
Oregon has a 4-0 all-time record in the Pac-12 Championship game and is making its Pac-12-leading fifth appearance in the conference championship game since it was added in 2011.
The winner of Friday night’s match-up gets a trip to the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
The Pac-12 Championship game will be televised on ABC. Kickoff is at 5:15.
Copyright 2021, KLCC
