SAN FRANCISCO – OREGON has been chosen as the favorite to win the 2020 Pac-12 Conference Football Championship in a vote of 38 media members who cover the league. The defending Pac-12 FCG champion Ducks received 21 votes to earn the preseason nod, edging USC (15).

The Ducks were the heavy favorites to repeat as Pac-12 North Division champions, earning 35 first-place votes and 222 points to hold down the top spot. CALIFORNIA collected the remaining three first-place votes and 176 points as predicted runner-up in the division.

USC (220 points, 32 first-place votes) was the overwhelming selection to capture the South Division ahead of ARIZONA STATE (181, 2 first-place votes) and UTAH (168, 4 first-place votes).

The media has correctly selected the Conference Champion in 31 of 59 previous polls, including four times in the nine-year FCG era.

Following are the results of the preseason media poll (points 6-5-4-3-2-1, first-place votes in parentheses):

PAC-12 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WINNER: Oregon (21 votes)
Others receiving votes: USC (15), Arizona State (1), Utah (1)

The 2020 Pac-12 Football Championship Game, presented by 76® and featuring the winners of the North and South Divisions, will take place Friday, Dec. 18 in a home-hosted format and will be telecast to a national audience on FOX.

A seven-game, Conference-only schedule will kick off on Saturday, Nov. 7 featuring the Pac-12’s first-ever BIG NOON SATURDAY game of the week pitting Arizona State and USC at 9 a.m. PT. Click here for the complete Pac-12 Football schedule.

All football competitions will be conducted in accordance with the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee health and safety recommendations and guidelines, as previously announced on September 24 when the Pac-12 CEO Group voted to resume football, basketball, and winter sport seasons.