*Odds taken 09/03/19

Jacob Eason Impresses in Week 1

Junior Jacob Eason showed no signs of rust in his first game since the 2017 season when he lost the starting QB job at Georgia to Jake Fromm after suffering an injury.

Eason threw for 349 yards and four touchdowns as Washington defeated Eastern Washington 47-14 in Week 1. It was the most yards ever by a UW quarterback in their first game. Eason completed 27 of 36 passes and showed great potential as the Huskies replacement for Jake Browning.

https://twitter.com/PFF_Steve/status/1167975166338633728?s=20

Eason will get a tougher test in Week 2 against a very good Cal defense, but his strong start is great news for anyone with money on the Huskies. Washington has a well-balanced lineup and one of their biggest question marks entering the season was whether the Georgia transfer could live up to expectations after the departure of Browning.

It’s a Three Team Race in the Pac-12

Are the Huskies really the Pac-12’s best chance at a National Championship?

Oregon was the highest-ranked team in the conference before they were beaten, 27-21, on a touchdown pass from Auburn QB Bo Nix in the waning seconds of their opening week game, and have now fallen to #16 in the AP poll, two spots behind the Huskies.

Despite the loss, the Ducks looked quite good in the game. Oregon held a 21-6 lead late in the third quarter and starting QB Justin Herbert went 28-of-37 passing for 242 yards and a touchdown. Herbert had a chance to win the game with no time on the clock, but he threw the ball out of the end zone.

Throws like this are why Justin Herbert is a top 2020 NFL Draft prospect. The ball placement and velocity to hit tight windows is absurd. pic.twitter.com/hxvORUdEwm

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 1, 2019

While Oregon is Washington’s toughest competition in the Pac-12 North, the Utah Utes are the favorites the win the Pac-12 South. They took down BYU 32-12 in the “Holy War” in Week 1 thanks to the play of running back Zach Moss and their defense.

Moss ran for 187 yards and a touchdown, while Francis Bernard returned an interception 58 yards for a TD and Julian Blackmon had another pick.

Are the Huskies Worth Betting On?

While the Huskies got off to a promising start in Week 1, I don’t know if there’s good value in betting on them to win the National Championship at +2800.

Oregon is a very talented team despite losing in Week 1. The Ducks defense looked impressive and will look to clean up the unforced errors that gave the game away against Auburn including the dropped TD pass and missed field goal.

Quarterback Tyler Huntley and Moss form a lethal duo for Utah and should have their way in a weaker South Division.

https://twitter.com/utes499/status/1166931551436906496?s=20

Eason looked great for Washington, but All-American center Nick Harris injured his left knee in the game and tackle Henry Bainivalu is suspended for the first three games. I like the Huskies, but I don’t think they have an edge over the Utes or Ducks right now in the Pac-12.

Clemson and Alabama are the two powerhouses at the top of the National Championship odds. Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa are the Heisman co-favorites, while Jalen Hurts’ incredible Week 1 performance also makes Oklahoma an intriguing bet at +900.

Verdict on Washington’s National Championship Odds

The Huskies have been very consistent under coach Chris Petersen, but I don’t see Eason’s Week 1 performance being enough to justify betting on them for the title at +2800.

Oregon looked solid in Week 1 and Utah showed some potential. Despite a convincing Week 1 victory, Washington can’t even be considered the favorite in the Pac-12 right now.

Clemson and Alabama, meanwhile, are elite teams who would give the Huskies all sorts of problems in the National Championship. Other contenders such as Oklahoma and Georgia looked very dangerous in Week 1 and have better value than the Huskies at their current odds.