This Weeks Picks in the Pac-12
By Jeff Taylor
Last week, I went 4-1 to bring my overall record for the season to 39-8. I scored easily on the Oregon and Stanford games, as well as, with my gut on the Arizona State win. The one I was most leery about what the UCLA win over Washington State. It was as close as I expected and UCLA was able to pull it out. I was extremely tempted to go with Oregon State over Arizona at home, but I did not follow my gut. Arizona as it turns out is worse than I thought and now Mike Stoops is gone.
As for this week, we have some intriguing matchups, including tonights ESPN Thursday night game with USC at California. In this one, I have a good feeling that Cal will manage to pull it together in San Francisco. Barkley is better than Maynard. But, Cal’s defense is better than USC’s. Following last week’s embarrasing loss on national TV, Cal will want to give it a better show. The main thing against them is USC is coming off a bye. Cal 35 USC 31.
Colorado at Washington: There is absolutely no reason to predict an upset here, other than maybe overconfidence by the Huskies coming off the bye week. My only caution is that I do believe Colorado will pull off an upset this season in the Pac-12. I just don’t think it’ll be against UW. Washington 40 Colorado 21
#7 Stanford at Washington State: The good feelings about the Cougs are about to end. The Cardinal will run all over Wazzu (or should I say Andrew Luck will throw over them) and it’ll be ugly. Stanford 45 WSU 17
#18 Arizona State at #9 Oregon: In what may be the most entertaining matchup of the week, the Sun Devils will get their chance to show they are for real with a game in Eugene. Before the beginning of the season, I predicted this as an upset for Oregon (on their way to a 9-3 record). I really like the balance Arizona State has on both sides of the ball. They look like a team destined for good things. But, man Oregon can just turn it on when they feel like it, as evidenced by last week’s 2nd half against Cal. I see Oregon pulling away late. While I wouldn’t be shocked with an upset, it probably won’t happen. Oregon 38 Arizona State 28
BYU at Oregon State: This is a weird matchup. BYU is a strange team. 4-2, but with a weak schedule, they were absolutely demolished by Utah, yet lost by 1 at Texas. Hard to say what will happen here. Maybe Oregon State has some confidence to turn this season around. Or maybe it was just how bad Arizona has become that allowed them to win. BYU 24 Oregon State 21
Utah at Pittsburgh: A less than intriguing non-conference matchup against two mediocre teams. Pitt is 3-3 with less than impressive wins against Buffalo, Maine, and South Florida and close losses to Iowa and Notre Dame. But, last week they were crushed by Rutgers. I can’t honestly say which team is better, but I’ll go with the Panthers at home. Pittsburgh 27 Utah 20