This Week’s Picks in the Pac-12

You can call me anything you want. But, you have to admit I am consistent. For the 5th straight week I went 4-2 to push my overall record to 59-18. I struck out on Stanford over Oregon and Arizona State’s upset loss in the Palouse. This week probably decides who plays in the Pac-12 Championship game, and goes a long ways to deciding what other bowl berths will be filled out in the conference.

Utah at Washington State: Paul Wulff is hanging by the edge of his fingernails and a bowl berth is still theoretically possible with two more wins. But, Utah is playing some great ball right now and actually still has a shot at the Pac-12 Championship game, so look for the Utes to control this one. Utah 33 Washington State 21

Colorado at UCLA: I am almost tempted to go with the Buffaloes since every time I have picked UCLA this season I have been wrong (and usually when I pick their opponent I am wrong too). Slick Rick needs this game to get bowl eligible (with USC the following week) and the Bruins still have a chance to win the division. But, don’t count out Colorado. They might just be on the way back. Relunctantly I have to go with the home team. UCLA 27 Colorado 24

Arizona at Arizona State: A win here puts the Sun Devils in the Pac-12 Championship game I think, looking at the schedules of the other challengers. That’s a lot of motivation, especially after losing to WSU last week. Arizona State 42 Arizona 28

California at Stanford: Stanford has a lot more to play for in this one. While California is now bowl eligible and is fighting for whether they will play in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl or the Las Vegas Bowl, Stanford still has a chance to make the Rose Bowl or another BCS bowl if they can win out. Stanford 40 California 17

USC at Oregon: An upset in Eugene? Yes, it’s possible. USC is playing so well right now and Oregon could be down a bit after the emotional win at Stanford. But, Oregon still has its eyes on the prize of a national championship or a chance to win their first Rose Bowl since 1917. I am tempted to pick USC in this one (and did in the preseason). But, the way Oregon demolished Stanford makes me skepitcal. That being said, my head picks Oregon, but you gotta take a risk sometimes and go for the upset. So, let’s say USC 48 Oregon 45 in overtime.

Washington at Oregon State: I think Washington has to see this as a defining game for this program. After four losses this year to ranked team, they have a chance to show they really deserve to be in the top half of the conference with a road win against what should be a weaker team. I think Sark will have his team motivated to get back on track. I’ll be more disappointed with a loss in this one than any of those others. Washington 35 Oregon State 21