Well it’s already week three in the Pac-12. This week Arizona State at Colorado has been cancelled. But as I write this all other games are on. Here are my picks.
Saturday
UCLA (1-1) at #11 Oregon (2-0) 12:30 p.m. (ESPN2) Line: Oregon -13.5
After a slow start the No. 11 Oregon Ducks scored 29 second half points to beat Washington State 43-29 last Saturday night in Pullman. UCLA had a very impressive 34-10 win over California after a disappointing season opening loss at Colorado. It’s hard to know what team will show up for the Bruins but their performance in Boulder just two weeks ago lingers.
Oregon 38 UCLA 24
California (0-1) at Oregon State (0-2) 12:30 p.m. (FS1) Line: California -3.5
The Golden Bears did not look like the team any one expected to see last weekend in Pasadena. Covid protocols have obviously hurt the team with practice and it showed in an embarrassing 34-10 loss at UCLA. The Beavers played Washington very tough and nearly pulled off the big upset despite a bad spot. Both teams are desperate for a win but California will benefit the most for what should be their first normal practice week in awhile. But this should be a very close game.
California 20 Oregon State 17
Washington State (1-1) at Stanford (0-2) 7:30 p.m. Line: Stanford -2
Washington State looked very good against Oregon in the first 30 minutes but were out classed in the second half, losing 43-29. Stanford is in danger of falling 0-3 after a close 35-32 loss at home against Colorado. The eye test tells me WSU is a better team but Stanford is in a must win spot and it will show on Saturday.
Stanford 32 Washington State 27
#20 USC (2-0) at Utah (0-0) 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) Line: USC -3
The Trojans luck continued last week, scoring a touchdown with 25 seconds left to beat Arizona 34-30. Meanwhile Utah has yet to play a game as Covid has brought the Utes program to a halt. It’s hard to know what Utah will look like Saturday night but we will take the team who has been through two tightly contested games.
USC 31 Utah 21
* Check back later for my Arizona at Washington preview/prediction article.
