Pac-12 picks: USC vs. Notre Dame highlights a weekend of coin-flip games

Just when we thought we had some sort of grasp on this Pac-12 Conference, each of the Washington schools decided to take a nosedive in games we picked each of them to win handily. That left us 1-5 against the spread last week and 3-3 overall.

At least three of the five games this weekend feel like coin flips. Let’s just hope we’re on the right end of them for once.

Oregon at UCLA

UCLA by 6.5 – Oregon running back Royce Freeman and UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen are a few of the best solo acts in the conference right now. Reaching the postseason could be tough for both of the teams without a win on Saturday. The pick: UCLA 38, Oregon 31.

USC at Notre Dame

Notre Dame by 3.5 – It’s more than just a rivalry game this year. Both the Trojans and Irish are probably College Football Playoff long shots right now, but win here, win out, and it’d be hard to completely rule out either. The pick: Notre Dame 31, USC 30.

Colorado at Washington State

WSU by 10.5 – Without Tavares Martin Jr. on the field, Luke Falk might not get the passing yards he needs to take down Sean Mannion’s all-time Pac-12 record, but he’ll have enough to take down the Buffaloes. The pick: will be in Saturday’s paper.

Arizona State at Utah

Utah by 9 – Sort of just a “meh” game from the viewer’s standpoint, but one that has pretty big implications with regard to who finishes second to USC in the Pac-12 South. The pick: Utah 34, ASU 28.

Arizona at Cal

Arizona by 3 – The Bears lost the conference’s leading tackler right in time for a game against the Pac-12 quarterback who’s best at making you miss a tackle. The prediction: Khalil Tate launches a mid-year Heisman campaign right after this game. The pick: Arizona 45, Cal 35.

Theo Lawson’s records

Last week: 3-3 straight up, 1-5 against the spread

Overall: 43-11 straight up, 19-27 against the spread