It’s rivalry week in the Pac-12. And it’s also the final week of regular season play. Here are my week 14 picks.
My Record: Straight Up: 55-28, Against Spread: 45-31
Saturday
Oregon State (5-6) at #14 Oregon (9-2) 1 p.m. (Pac-12) Line: Oregon -19
The Ducks saw their playoff hopes end in Tempe last week with a loss to Arizona State. Oregon still has a shot to win the Pac-12 – having already clinched the North Division. Oregon State nearly clinched a bowl birth last week but ended up losing 54-53 at Washington State. Not sure what the motivation level will be for Oregon but they are the better team. Oregon State will hang around for awhile before the Ducks get going.
Oregon 45 Oregon State 27
#16 Notre Dame (9-2) at Stanford (4-7) 1 p.m. (FOX) Line: Notre Dame -16
This is essentially Stanford’s bowl game as they were eliminated from postseason play after their loss to California last week. Notre Dame meanwhile is trying to move up in the rankings to get a New Year’s Six invitation. Something tells me Stanford will keep this one surprisingly close.
Notre Dame 28 Stanford 17
Colorado (5-6) at #6 Utah (10-1) 4:30 p.m. (ABC) Line: Utah -28.5
The Utes are looking to make a statement this week with just two chances left to impress the playoff committee. Utah has allowed just 10 combined points in their last two games. Meanwhile, Colorado is coming off a big upset win over Washington. Utah will have no issue this week even in a rivalry matchup.
Utah 41 Colorado 10
Arizona (4-7) at Arizona State (6-5) 7 p.m. (ESPN) Line: ASU -13.5
The Sun Devils stunned Oregon in Tempe last weekend. True freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels is a star in the making with a young ASU team. Arizona on the other hand has lost six straight – all by double digits. The Sun Devils win the Territorial Cup for the third straight season.
Arizona State 35 Arizona 21
California (6-5) at UCLA (4-7) 7:30 p.m. (FS1) Line: UCLA -2
The Golden Bears ended their nine game losing streak to Stanford last week in thrilling fashion. Quarterback Chase Garbers is back for California. Meanwhile, a disappointing season for UCLA concludes this Saturday night at the Rose Bowl. UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson is questionable for Saturday. Even after a very emotional win, California continues their momentum Saturday night.
California 27 UCLA 20
* Check back later for my Apple Cup preview/prediction article.
