This Weeks Picks in the Pac-12
By Jeff Taylor
Last week I went 4-2 to bring my overall record to 47-12. I struck out on the Washington State blowout loss to Oregon State (but, as I stated last week, I almost pulled the trigger for the Beavs) and the USC win on the road against Notre Dame. So, let’s now look at this week’s slate of games.
Washington State at Oregon: Need I saw anything at all? Sorry, but even with the Lobster back on the field and Cliff Harris driving out of town without his license in someone else’s car 100 mph, there still won’t be enough for the Cougs. Oregon 52 Washington State 14
Colorado at Arizona State: This will be the game where Dennis Erickson all but locks up his spot in the Pac-12 championship games. All games there after will just be positioning to try and have that game in Tempe. Arizona State 38 Colorado 7
California at UCLA: We’ve seen this story before in this league, and just this year…A beaten down team, losing games they never thought they would lose, a coach whose back is against the wall, comes together and pulls off the upset. Oregon State did it against Arizona and Washington State after starting 0-5 including a loss to Sacramento State and Arizona did it against UCLA. That being said, I think we are also seeing the resurgency of Cal which will end up with them winning as many as 4 more games this year. Jeff Tedford is also under the gun to get this season turned around and I think they will do it in the Rose Bowl against UCLA. Cal 28 UCLA 21
Oregon State at Utah: A surprisingly intriguing game given it is between two teams with losing records. Utah still has a chance to make a bowl game this season and a home win against the Beavs would definitely get them in position for that. Oregon State has turned things around the last two weeks (granted against pretty weak competition), so it’ll be interesting to see what they can do on the road against the Utes. This is a hard one to pick. But, I’ve always liked how Mike Reilly can get his team playing in the 2nd half of the season and I always expected them to beat some Pac-12 teams. So, I’ll go with the upset and pick the Beavers 31-27.
Stanford at USC: In the game of the week in the Pac-12, the #4 Cardinal play their toughest road game of the season in Los Angeles this year against the 6-1 Trojans. It hasn’t always been pretty this year, but somehow Lane Kiffin keeps winning games. If Stanford is going to be upset anytime this season other than against Oregon, it would be this game. But, Stanford is on such cruise control right now, I have trouble imagining USC scoring many points against that defense. Andrew Luck is on a mission for a perfect season and a Heisman, and he won’t let a thing like the pesky Trojans stop him. Stanford 31 USC 17
Arizona at Washington: In many ways this seems like a trap game. Washington is coming off a humiliating loss at Stanford, while Arizona is coming off a huge victory over UCLA. Washington has Oregon coming to town the following week for homecoming and a night game. I can see why the better line has been heading in the favor of the Wildcats. But, I really believe the Stanford loss was a wake up call to this team. I think had the game been close, the swagger would still have been high and they might have overlooked the 2-5 Wildcats. But, given the smackdown they suffered, I think Washington will be hyped up and ready to show their fans that game was an abberation. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Arizona will be without 4 defense backs, including Shaquille Richardson. So, look for Keith Price to get it going and to throw, throw, throw early against the ‘Cats. I see this one as an easy Washington win. Huskies 38 Arizona 24