This week’s Pac-12 picks

This is it. The week the Pac-12 really begins. Four conference games. Time to get serious. Maybe we’ll get half of them right. As always, the listed line is for your entertainment purposes only. All games Saturday. California at Washington (UW by 1.5): Between these two, they have faced one good team. And UW lost. But the Huskies did play one. Washington, 35-28. Colorado at Ohio State (OSU by 15): I don’t think the Buffs can win in Columbus, but they should be able to keep it close. Ohio State, 27-14. UCLA at Oregon State (OSU by 4): There is no way the Beavers lose after a bye week, even with a first-time starting quarterback. Oregon State, 24-14. Oregon at Arizona (UO by 16): The Wildcats are finishing a stretch of three consecutive games against top 10 teams. Three consecutive losses, I mean. Oregon, 49-24. USC at Arizona State (ASU by 2.5): Toughest pick of the week. First road game vs. walking wounded. We go with the wounded at home. ASU, 27-24. Last week: 8-2 overall, 4-4 vs. spread; Season: 26-6 overall, 14-11 vs. spread.