Pac-12 Picks

PULLMAN – Rivalry week is still a week away, but a few Pac-12 schools decided to start early. UCLA and USC will battle to determine which school the rest of the conference finds more insufferable for a year, and California and Stanford will face off in what has shaped up to be a shockingly important battle by the Bay.

Last week’s games seemed like such easy pickings until Oregon State played spoiler. This week features what should be a more competitive slate, except for when Oregon hosts Colorado.

Now watch the Buffaloes pick up their first Pac-12 win in almost exactly one year.

All games are on Saturday, all picks are merely for your amusement.

Washington State at Arizona State, ASU by 16 1/2: Last week’s ASU loss was the worst thing that could have happened to the Cougars, who always seem to struggle in Tempe. WSU fans might not be out of bed before this one gets ugly. ASU 42-27

Arizona at Utah, Utah by 3 1/2: Arizona is unlikely to get a 13-2 flag advantage in Rice-Eccles. Utah 28-17

Stanford at California, Stan. by 5 1/2: A win would be a relief for the Cardinal and it would be a triumph for Cal. We’re betting that positive motivation proves more powerful in this one. Cal 31-24

Colorado at Oregon, NL: This week a speeding ticket will prove far more effective at slowing down Marcus Mariota than the Buffaloes’ defense. Oregon 45-24

Oregon State at Washington, UW by 6 1/2: Maybe the Huskies will be able to hold onto the ball at home. UW 31-27

USC at UCLA, UCLA by 4: UCLA’s Jim Mora used to regularly visit Steve Sarkisian’s practices at Washington and seek advice about coaching in the college game. Mora will show Sarkisian a thing or two this Saturday. UCLA 38-32

Last week: 3-1 straight up, 2-2 against the spread.

Overall: 56-22, 31-39