Football is finally back! Today I predict 11 of the Pac-12 teams non-conference matchups. Check back Friday for my Kent State at Washington prediction. Let the games begin!
Thursday
Northern Arizona at Arizona State Time: 7 PM TV: Pac-12 Network Line: N/A
Herm Edwards is back as head coach after an off-season that saw three assistant coaches let go after an investigation after hosting recruits during the pandemic. Things got worse as star quarterback Jayden Daniels transferred to LSU. With all that said the Sun Devils should have no issues in this in-state contest.
Arizona State 38 Northern Arizona 14
Friday
TCU at Colorado Time: 7 PM TV: ESPN Line: TCU -14
If there’s a game no one is talking about in the conference this is the one you should watch. The Buffaloes were just 4-8 last season but all their wins came in Boulder. Meanwhile former California head coach Sonny Dykes takes over at TCU. Dykes will certainly improve the offense but there’s a lot of question marks after a 5-7 season. With both teams having so many question marks give me the 14 points but the Horned Frogs in a tight one.
TCU 31 Colorado 24
Saturday
Bowling Green at UCLA Time: 11:30 AM TV: Pac-12 Network Line: UCLA -23
It feels like a big year for Chip Kelly and the Bruins. They return just eight starters but bring back QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The Bruins also have a soft schedule that includes eight home games. This is a game where the Bruins should take care of business early. Bowling Green does return a majority of their starters and did upset Minnesota last year. But the physicality of UCLA will be the story of the game.
UCLA 45 Bowling Green 21
No. 11 Oregon at No. 3 Georgia Time: 12:30 PM TV: ABC Line: Georgia -17
The Ducks will travel to Atlanta to take on the defending national champions. Former Georgia DC Dan Lanning switches sides and is now the head coach at Oregon. Although some see that as a huge advantage for the Ducks, I’m not one of them. The Bulldogs return just 10 starters but it doesn’t matter as much when you recruit the way they do. Senior QB Stetson Bennett will play good and the defense will impress in a runaway win for Georgia.
Georgia 35 Oregon 10
Arizona at San Diego State Time: 12:30 PM TV: CBS Line: San Diego State -6.5
Jed Fisch is starting to make waves in the recruiting and transfer world. He brings in a number of transfers including former Washington State QB Jayden de Laura. After a 1-11 2021 season the Wildcats will be improved. But this opener won’t be easy. San Diego State is coming off of a 12-2 season. They are a strong contender to win the Mountain West. I think the line makers are giving a little too much credit to Jedd Fisch’s rebuilding effort. Keep in mind that the Aztecs beat the Wildcats 38-14 in Tucson last season.
San Diego State 31 Arizona 21.
UC Davis at California Time: 1 PM TV: Pac-12 Network Line: N/A
The Golden Bears have seemed to be the same team over and over again under Justin Wilcox. A great defense but an offense that just can’t figure it out. That will likely continue this year as they lose QB Chase Garbers. California returns just eight starters. One thing that Wilcox can’t afford is a loss before traveling to Notre Dame in week three.
California 27 UC Davis 14
Rice at No. 14 USC Time: 3 PM TV: Pac-12 Networks Line: USC-35
USC has been the talk of the conference or conferences if you will during the off-season. Enter in Lincoln Riley and the departure for the Big-10 in 2024 and you have some headlines. On the field, USC has all the talent in the world. Caleb Williams is a Heisman favorite and they bring in the Biletnikoff winner Jordan Addison from Pittsburgh. The offense will score at will but whether or not the Trojans want to win a Pac-12 title will be determined by the defense and what kind of depth they have. This week, USC rolls as excitement builds in L.A.
USC 52 Rice 14
No. 7 Utah at Florida Time: 4 PM TV: ESPN Line: Utah -2.5
In probably the most important game for the conference, the Utes travel to the swamp to play Florida. Both teams are expected to have stout defenses. Utah proved they can compete with the best in their close lost in the Rose Bowl to Ohio State last season. The difference in the game will be a major coaching advantage that Kyle Whittingham provides Utah.
Utah 24 Florida 20
Colgate at Stanford Time: 5 PM TV: Pac-12 Network Line N/A
It’s hard to imagine that this is David Shaw’s 12th season at Stanford. And I’m confident in saying that this year’s Stanford team will be better than last. After a disastrous 2021 season – where the Cardinal finished just 3-9, there’s new hope that they can get back to their winning ways. Stanford does return arguably the best QB in the conference in Tanner McKee. But Stanford is off a season where they finished with seven-year lows in points per game on offense and defense. This weekend will be a warm up before a showdown with USC next week.
Stanford 52 Colgate 7
Idaho at Washington State Time: 6:30 PM TV: Pac-12 Networks Line: N/A
Jake Dickert did an incredible job taking over for Nick Rolovich. WSU finished 7-6 and beat the Huskies for the first time since 2012. This season will be even more challenging for the second-year coach as he has just 10 returning starters. The Cougars are a bit of a wild card this season. With transfer QB Cameron Ward, Wazzu’s offense might actually be more explosive. The defense is expected to take a step back after a very good season. They should have no issues this Saturday.
Washington State 45 Idaho 14
Boise State at Oregon State Time 7:30 PM TV: ESPN Line OSU -3
Jonathan Smith has done an incredible job in rebuilding Oregon State. The Beavers finished 7-6 last season after four forgettable seasons in-a-row. Reser Stadium is sold out Saturday night against Boise State. The Broncos are expected to be one of the better team’s in the Mountain West and return 17 starters. If Oregon State can control the line of scrimmage they will win. But something tells me the Broncos learned from all their close losses last season.
Boise State 31 Oregon State 29
