Bettors warm up to the Ducks

The Oregon Ducks have not only climbed their way to a No. 2 national ranking, they have grown into a favorite pick for bettors.

Oregon is listed as a 12 1/2 -point road favorite for tonight’s game at Arizona, and according to theSpread.com’s betting trend, the Ducks have received 82.5% of the bets against the spread. At Wagerline.com, Oregon holds an edge at 68%.

Oddsmakers like the Ducks, who did not play last week, with quarterback Dennis Dixon -- a Heisman Trophy candidate -- getting an extra week to rest a left knee injury.

Recent trends also back up the Ducks (8-1). They are 4-0 against the spread in their last four games as favorite and 4-0 against the spread in their last four road games. For the season, Oregon is 8-1 against the spread.

But Arizona (4-6) is worth a second look. The Wildcats, who defeated the Ducks at Oregon last season, have won two games in a row and are coming off an open date. They are 4-5 against the spread (there was no line on their first game) and have covered the line in three of their last four games.

The most important trend for Arizona, however, may be its success as a home underdog. In the Wildcats’ last seven games in that role, they are 5-1-1 against the spread.

And last season, Arizona did a good job against Dixon, who passed for only 88 yards and had three passes intercepted.

New Mexico State (4-7) has lost three consecutive games, including a 34-point loss at San Jose State last week. But New Mexico State will take the field as 9 1/2 -point favorite tonight. The reason? Winless Utah State (0-10) is in town.

New Mexico State is 4-0 against the spread in its last four games as a favorite and 4-0 against the spread in its last four home games.

But Utah State may not be a pushover. Utah State is 5-5 against the spread and 4-1 against the spread in its last five road games.

Hockey

For the fourth time this season, the Kings (8-8-1) and Ducks (8-8-3) will play each other when they face off tonight at Staples Center.

The Ducks, 6-13 against the spread this season, hold a 2-1 edge in the season series over the Kings, who are 10-7 against the spread.

lonnie.white@latimes.com