It’s week 12 in college football as the Pac-12 rivalries begin this weekend. Utah has a half game lead in the South Division while Washington State maintains a one game lead in the North Division.
Here are my week 12 picks……
#19 Utah (7-3) at Colorado (5-5) 10:30 a.m. (Pac-12) Line: Utah -7
The Utes were dealt devastating news last week when they learned that starting quarterback Tyler Huntley and starting running back Zack Moss would miss the reminder of the season with injuries. But that did not stop Utah from getting 32-25 win over Oregon. This feels like must win for the Utes if they want to keep pace in the Pac-12 race.
Colorado got boat raced at home last week, losing 31-7 against Washington State. The Buffaloes have now lost five in-a-row and are in danger of missing out on bowl eligibility.
The Rumble in the Rockies will be won by the Utes with their stout defense.
Utah 35 Colorado 21
USC (5-5) at UCLA (2-8) 12:30 p.m. (FOX) Line: USC -3
Clay Helton is on the hot seat after last week’s 15-14 loss at home to California. USC still needs one win to just become bowl eligible. A loss to their rivals this week could spell the end for Helton at USC.
UCLA lost at Arizona State, 31-28 last week. Wilton Speight passed for 335 yards in the loss. The Bruins would like nothing more than to take down UCLA in an always fun rivalry game.
USC rallies for Clay Helton and plays one of their best game’s of the year.
USC 31 UCLA 20
Stanford (6-4) at California (6-4)
Game postponed to Saturday Dec. 1 due to wildfires.
Arizona State (6-4) at Oregon (6-4) 7:30 p.m. (Pac-12) Line: Oregon -3.5
The Sun Devils have won three in-a-row after a 31-28 home win over UCLA last week. Arizona State trails Utah by a half game in the south and has the tiebreaker against them. This season could turn out to be very special in Herm Edwards’ first year in Tempe.
Oregon has lost three of their last four games after a 32-25 road loss at Utah last Saturday. The good news for the Ducks is they return home, where they seem to be a much different football team.
This has the makings of a great football game that will come down to the fourth quarter. In the end, the Ducks find a way.
Oregon 35 Arizona State 34
Arizona (5-5) at #8 Washington State (9-1) 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) Line: Washington State -10.5
Washington State made it look easy last Saturday in a 31-7 win at Colorado. WSU out-gained Colorado, 477-297, in a dominant win. The Cougars return to Pullman where they are 5-0 this year.
Arizona enjoyed their bye week after a 42-34 win over Colorado. Khalil Tate gets an extra week to rest and seems to be getting healthy. While Arizona’s offense is starting to come around, their defense is a different story.
Arizona should benefit from the bye week but Washington State will have no problem moving the ball in this game.
Washington State 45 Arizona 30
* Check back later for my prediction of the Oregon State and Washington game featured in Ruth Robbins’ game preview.
