The Pac-12 has yet to pick up a signature non-conference win this year. But a good week this week could change things. Here are my week two predictions.
Arizona (0-1) at Houston (1-0) 9 a.m. (ABC) Line: Houston -3.5
Khalil Tate was held to just 14 yards rushing in an opening home loss to the BYU Cougars last week. It was a shocking result for a team that many considered to be a dark horse candidate in the Pac-12 south. It gets even tougher this week as the Wildcats travel to Houston. Cougars defensive lineman Ed Oliver might just be the best collegiate player in the country.
Houston 38 Arizona 34
UCLA (0-1) at #6 Oklahoma (1-0) 10:00 a.m. (FOX) Line: Oklahoma -30
Chip Kelly’s UCLA debut was a dud as Cincinnati walked into the Rose Bowl and upset the Bruins 26-17. Meanwhile Oklahoma rolled, defeating Florida Atlantic 63-14. Quaterback Kyler Murray looks like the real deal as the Sooners have another dynamic offense.
Oklahoma 45 UCLA 20
Portland State (0-1) at #23 Oregon (1-0) 11:00am (Pac-12) Line: N/A
Oregon deafeated Bowling Green last week, 58-24, led behind five touchdown passes from Heisman hopeful QB Justin Herbert. The Ducks will have no problem scoring points this year but can they play defense? This week that won’t matter. Portland State lost their opener 72-19 to Nevada.
Oregon 70 Portland State 17
Colorado (1-0) at Nebraska (0-0) 12:30 p.m. (ABC) Line: Nebraska -3.5
The Buffaloes opened their season with a 45-13 victory over Colorado State. This week presents a much tougher challenge as they travel to Lincoln to face Nebraska. The Cornhuskers’ opener against Akron was cancelled last week due to weather. It will be Scott Frost’s Nebraska debut in what hopes to be a big turnaround for the program. This game might be the toughest of the week to forecast.
Nebraska 31 Colorado 24
Utah (1-0) at Northern Illinois (0-1) 4:30 p.m. (ESPN News) Line: Utah -10
The Utes are coming off a 41-10 home opening win over Weber State. This week presents a unique challenge for Utah as they travel to Northern Illinois. The Huskies shocked Nebraska last year in Lincoln and had narrow losses to Boston College and San Diego State. Last week, Northern Illinois suffered a 33-7 at Iowa. Utah has a chance to win the Pac-12 south this year but they will be tested this week.
Utah 31 Northern Illinois 17
Southern Utah (0-1) at Oregon State (0-1) 5:00 p.m. (Pac-12) Line: N/A
It was a tough debut for Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith as the beavers fell to No. 5 Ohio State 77-31. The Beavers did show signs that they could move the ball on offense but defensively they still have a lot of question marks. Jonathan Smith should get his first win as the new HC of the Beavers this week. But it might not be as easy as you think going against a tough FCS team.
Oregon State 38 Southern Utah 24
#17 USC (1-0) at #10 Stanford (1-0) 5:30 p.m. (FOX) Line: Stanford -6
This very well could be the game of the week in college football as USC travels to Stanford. Last week, Stanford defeated San Diego State, 31-10. While USC defeated UNLV, 43-21.
Stanford was able to move the ball through the air but it’s very concerning that Heisman favorite Bryce Love only had 29 yards rushing on 18 carries.
USC freshman QB J.T. Daniels is the big wildcard in this game. Is he ready for the big stage? I’m not so sure yet.
Stanford 28 USC 21
California (1-0) at BYU (1-0) 7:15 p.m. (ESPN2) Line: BYU -3
This is a sneaky good night game. The Golden Bears opened with a 24-17 win over North Carolina. BYU shocked the Arizona Wildcats, 28-23 in Tuscon.
This should be a very low scoring game as both defenses should be good this year. I’m not quite buying BYU as they look to improve on a disappointing 5-7 2017 season. The Golden Bears pick up a big road win for the Pac-12.
California 21 BYU 20
No. 15 Michigan State at Arizona State 7:45 p.m (ESPN) Line: Michigan State -6
Herm Edwards’ ASU head coaching debut ended with a 49-7 thumping over UTSA. This Arizona State is still a little unknown which makes them very dangerous against a very good Michigan State team. The Spartans avoided an upset last week, scoring a late TD against Utah State to win 38-31.
That near opening defeat might just be the best thing that could’ve happened for the Spartans. I’m not quite buying into Arizona State. But maybe after this week.
Michigan State 32 Arizona State 24
San Jose State (0-1) at Washington State (1-0) 8 p.m. (Pac-12) Line:Washington State -34
Washington State QB Gardner Minshew passed for 319 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-19 win at Wyoming last week. There’s low expectations this year for the Cougars but they will roll against San Jose State.
Washington State 52 San Jose State 17
*Check back tomorrow for Ruth Robbins’ game preview for the North Dakota at Washington game that will feature our predictions.
