Pac-12 Football Picks: Week 1
By Brian Spaen
It’s finally here – the smell of various cooked burgers and brats on the grills, cheap beer enclosed in ice-cold coolers, and smack-talk after dominating your opponent in a game of bags.
Or in my case, bragging when nailing football predictions, because I suck at bags.
Along with my staff, we’ll tackle the entire Pac-12 conference all season long, taking a look at each game with some quick thoughts. We welcome anyone else’s take on the week and give your predictions below, or call out some games we may take for granted.
As always, the first week doesn’t feature much competition for most schools. Washington State has a tough road test against BYU, UCLA has an interesting road game against Rice, Washington hosts a future Big East team in San Diego State, and there’s a few other notables. Let’s get to the games. All times are pacific.
Thursday
4:15 p.m. – Northern Colorado @ Utah (NL) – Pac-12 Network
Brian: UTAH | Ricky: UTAH | Ray: UTAH | Mike: UTAH
The Bears are noncompetitive against Division I FBS talent. Their latest loss was last year against Colorado State where they were outgained by 285 yards.
4:30 p.m. – UCLA @ Rice (+16.5) – CBS Sports Network
Brian: UCLA | Ricky: UCLA | Ray: UCLA | Mike: UCLA
Bruins fans may be a little concerned with a new head coach and having to play their first game on the road, but last season the Owls were ranked 11th overall on total team defense.
7:15 p.m. – Washington State @ BYU (-12) – ESPN
Brian: BYU | Ricky: BYU | Ray: BYU | Mike: BYU
It’s a Cougar battle to wrap up an ESPN doubleheader, and it should be interesting – and at least high scoring to keep east coasters awake.
7:30 p.m. – Northern Arizona @ Arizona State (NL) – Pac-12 Network
Brian: ASU | Ricky: ASU | Ray: ASU | Mike: ASU
Transition should be no problem for new ASU head coach Todd Graham.
Friday
7:00 p.m. – San Jose State @ (18)Stanford (-25) – Pac-12 Network
Brian: STAN | Ricky: STAN | Ray: STAN | Mike: STAN
Shouldn’t be a blowout as the Cardinal begin life without Andrew Luck, but they may tend to pull away late in the game.
Saturday
12:00 p.m. – Nevada @ California (-11) – Pac-12 Network
Brian: CAL | Ricky: NEV | Ray: CAL | Mike: NEV
A little bit of a toss-up from our staff. The Bears are already banged up with five players on the injury list out for the game. But I believe Zach Maynard be more comfortable at QB.
Brian: OSU | Ricky: OSU | Ray: | Mike: OSU
Game has been postposed due to Nicholls State not being able to travel because of Tropical Storm Isaac.
1:00 p.m. – Colorado State vs Colorado (-6.5) – FX
@ Mile High Stadium; Denver, Colorado
Brian: COLO | Ricky: CSU | Ray: COLO | Mike: COLO
Surprisingly being picked up by a national TV network, a better Mountain West vs. Pac-12 matchup opening weekend matchup is SDSU vs. Washington.
4:30 p.m. – Hawai’i @ (3)USC (-42) – FOX
Brian: USC | Ricky: USC | Ray: USC | Mike: USC
The only question in this game is whether the Trojans will cover that enormous spread.
7:30 p.m. – Arkansas State @ (5)Oregon (-37) – ESPN
Brian: ORE | Ricky: ORE | Ray: ORE | Mike: ORE
De’Anthony Thomas will be working on his Heisman profile as the Ducks shouldn’t have a problem putting this one to bed early in the second half.
7:30 p.m. – San Diego State @ Washington (-14.5) – Pac-12 Network
Brian: SDSU | Ricky: WASH | Ray: SDSU | Mike: SDSU
Probably the best matchup of the weekend in the Pac-12. It’s almost a must win for the Huskies, who will have LSU, Stanford, USC, and Oregon all in their first six games of the season. Brutal.
7:30 p.m. – Toledo @ Arizona (-10.5) – ESPNU
Brian: ARIZ | Ricky: ARIZ | Ray: ARIZ | Mike: TOL
Another potential upset. Rich Rodriguez will need time to establish himself and rebuild this team.
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Whether you like to look at the glass half-full or half-empty, the entire staff is either undefeated or winless in their picks so far this season.
Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Autzen Zoo, follow the site on Facebook and Twitter. Read his other work on the Iowa State blog, Clones Confidential, and Lacrosse the Web.