Pac-12 Picks: Week Four
Sep 14, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Max Wittek (13) sprints to the endzone to score a touchdown against Boston College at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Trojans won 35-7. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
A day and a half late this week, but here now. My pick for the Washington vs. Idaho State game will be in the GameDay Guide posted tomorrow morning.
My Total Record: 26-3 (Counting Both UW Picks)
Utah State at USC 12:30pm Saturday
USC sort of righted the capsized ship against Boston College. Assuming the offense shows up for a second week in a row, the Trojans are actually a very scary team based on the impressive, aggressive defense. At home that should be enough for a decisive victory.
USC 31, Utah State 10
#23 Arizona State at #5 Stanford 4:00pm Saturday
So tempting to go with the Sun Devils of the Will Sutton-led defense and the underrated young quarterback in Taylor Kelly. They’re fresh off of a 32-30 win over Wisconsin, while the Cardinal looked mildly vulnerable in beating Army 34-20 on the road. Arizona State has been arguably underrated for quite some time, just looking for a marque win to boost them into the national consciousness, and it’s not too difficult to picture this being the game. With that being said, Stanford must be favored at home against just about any opponent in the nation. They possess a defense loaded with future NFL draft picks at every position group, with a powerful offensive line and an efficient quarterback in Keith Hogan to wear down and pick apart opposing defenses.
Stanford 30, ASU 24
Oregon State at San Diego State 4:30pm Saturday
This is not the San Diego State team that Washington faced to kick off last season. Gone is most of the top-tier talent, replaced by an 0-2 start. Oregon State is fully recovered from the Eastern loss, as shown by last week’s gutsy 51-48 road win over Utah in overtime. Following such a tough win with another road game is no easy task, but vigilance should be expected given the aforementioned FCS loss. The Beavers have little margin for error in the Pac-12 North race and they know it.
Oregon State 38, San Diego State 17
Utah at BYU 7:15pm Saturday
The Holy War will be that much more intense in the wake of Utah’s overtime loss to the Beavers. They need this win with tougher conference games ahead, but just ask Texas if stealing a win at BYU is an easy task. Travis Wilson’s presence as a driving force on offense could be the deciding factor given BYU’s lack of offensive explosiveness. He may have to rack up the points with the Cougars coming off of a bye and riding a wave of Texas-slaying momentum.
Utah 35, BYU 24
New Mexico State at #13 UCLA 7:30pm Saturday
If Jim Mora’s Bruins can romp on Nebraska in Nebraska, why wouldn’t they romp on 0-3 New Mexico State in California? Even after such an emotional road win, the chances of UCLA letting this one stay competitive past the 1st quarter are slim to none.
UCLA 45, New Mexico State 13
Idaho at Washington State 7:30pm Saturday
2-1 with the lone loss to on the road in SEC territory? That looks like real progress in Pullman, and if that’s the truth, the Vandals shouldn’t stand a chance. This is the kind of win that Coach Leach will expect consistently moving forward. He’ll likely get what he expects tomorrow.
WSU 41, Idaho 20