The Pac-12 is finally back! Unfortunately the Washington at California and the Arizona at Utah games have been cancelled due to Covid. As of now the other four conference games are set to take place starting at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. Let the sprint begin! Here are my week one picks.

Saturday

Arizona State at #20 USC  9 a.m. (FOX) Line: USC -11

Nothing like a little 9 a.m. football to begin this crazy Pac-12 season. Arizona State and star sophomore quarterback Jayden Daniels head to USC to face the reigning Freshman Offensive Player of the Year QB Kedon Slovis. In what could be the game of the week in the conference, the Trojans get it done in a close one led by their high powered offense.

USC 35 Arizona State 31

UCLA at Colorado 4 p.m. (ESPN2) Line: UCLA -6.5

A disappointing 4-8 season last year for Chip Kelly in your number two at UCLA. But there is some optimism this season for the Bruins returning much of their roster including starting junior QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Meanwhile, Karl Dorell takes over at head coach for Colorado after Mel Tucker left for Michigan State. Dorell has an up hill battle as he’s starting a former safety Sam Noyer at QB. Bruins get it done on the road learning from their mistakes from a season ago.

UCLA 28 Colorado 17 

Stanford at #12 Oregon 4:30 pm. Line: Oregon -8.5

In what is expected to be a low scoring game, all eyes will be on Oregon’s offense as they lose starting quarterback Justin Herbert. Oregon also in coming in with a new offensive line. But the Ducks should have one of the best defense’s in college football. Stanford has a very young team but do have senior QB David Mills returning. This has the making of a smash-mouth type game and Oregon’s defense will be the difference in a tight contested game.

Oregon 24 Stanford 17

Washington State at Oregon State 7:30 p.m. (FS1) Line: Oregon State -1

It’s a new era in Cougar football as Nick Rolovich takes over for Mike Leach at head coach. Rolovich will install his run-and-shoot offense with true freshman QB Jayden de Laura leading the offense. Meanwhile Oregon State under head coach Jonathan Smith looks to improve on their surprisingly 5-7 season a year ago. Expect Oregon state to ride running back Jermar Jefferson in this game. OSU should be a little more connected as WSU continues to adjust to a new coach and system.

Oregon State 38 Washington State 30