Kirby Lee – US PRESSWIRE
The Pac 12 looks to follow up their impressive showing from Week 2 (except for that trip to Baton Rouge) with a big Week 3. This week sees the opening of conference play, a tough trip east for one struggling team, a real test for an emerging dark horse, and a war of the holy varieties.
So let’s run down the picks for the conference against the spread. Picks are underlined.
Washington State Cougars (-8.5) @ UNLV Rebels
WSU travels to Las Vegas with some questions under center. Jeff Tuel left last week’s win with an injury and Connor Halliday has been taking the snaps with the first team all week long. Whoever plays quarterback, though, they get to go against a bad Rebel team who has allowed nearly 800 yards and 47 points in two games against the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. Wazzu rolls (finally), winning by 17.
California Bears @ Ohio State Buckeyes (-16.5)
The Bears are in a bad place, struggling out of the gates. They go on the road, where they have not been very good recently, to one of the most hostile places to play in the country. A frustrated offense and overmatched defense through two games, the Bears look to have it even worse against the Buckeyes. OSU may not get to play in the postseason, but Urban Meyer will have his team ready to send a message that they’ll tattoo across the Bears’ back sides. Buckeyes by 30.
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles @ Oregon Ducks (No Line)
Oregon continues a pretty soft early season schedule with FCS opponent Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles have never played a Pac 12 team before, and they’re likely not to enjoy their first taste too much. Oregon is going to use their ridiculous amount of speed to turn this game into a low-effort scrimmage. Don’t expect to see the starters with their helmets on after halftime. Ducks by 50.
Portland State Vikings @ Washington Huskies (No Line)
The Huskies return home after a pair of frustrating weeks where they squeaked by and then got pounded and get to take out their frustrations on FCS foe Portland State. Steve Sarkisian is going full totalitarian-mode on the media, but if the Huskies struggle against their I-5 counterparts, no gag order in the world is going to make the coach’s seat any cooler. Huskies by 21.
Arizona State Sun Devils (+7) @ Missouri Tigers
This will be the first test for ASU as they’ve been dominant for the first two weeks against less-than-stellar opponents. However, there’s something to be said for building confidence in a team learning a new system with a new head coach, and Todd Graham‘s physical running game is just the kind of system to take with you to hostile SEC country. The Devils’ will keep this game close, but may not be battle tested enough quite yet to pull it out. Tigers by 4.
USC Trojans @ Stanford Cardinal (+9.5)
Crazy things happen when the Trojans and Cardinal square off. USC is looking to avenge their loss last season in the Coliseum while Stanford tries to continue their success against Matt Barkley at The Farm. USC has looked good through two games, but vulnerable on defense, allowing lesser opponents to hang around much longer than they should. Josh Nunes hopes to have kicked the cobwebs off this offense with his 3-touchdown performance last week. This will be another close one, but USC prevails by a thin margin. Trojans by 6.
Colorado Buffaloes @ Fresno State Bulldogs (-15.5)
The Buffs came into this season with a very wide range of expectations for 2012. They are a very young team who could either perform up to their potential early or show their inexperience and struggle. After two losses to open the season against rival Colorado State Rams and FCS Sacramento State Hornets, it looks like the latter. Fresno State is all warmed up for a Pac 12 foe after having Oregon’s blur offense run past them last week, so they should be up to speed for a struggling Colorado club. Bulldogs by 21.
BYU Cougars (-4) @ Utah Utes
This will be the last Holy War for a little while as the Utes have called a cease fire to start a home-and-home series with the Michigan Wolverines next year. BYU isn’t too happy about that and will look to give their rival a beating that will last them for a couple of years. Not helping the Utes chances is Jordan Wynn‘s retirement after his fourth shoulder injury in three years. Breaking in a new quarterback during a heated rivalry is no easy task, so expect to see plenty of John White, and expect the Cougars to be keying on him. BYU by 10.
South Carolina State Bulldogs @ Arizona Wildcats (No Line)
Arizona has responded to Rich Rodriguez‘s offensive philosophy as well as anyone could have hoped. Coming off a huge upset of the Oklahoma State Cowboys last week, the Wildcats will have a little room for a letdown as they welcome FCS foe South Carolina State. The Bulldogs will have to travel across the country to face a resurgent Arizona club who will look to keep the good times rolling. Wildcats by 30.
Houston Cougars @ UCLA Bruins (-17.5)
UCLA has enjoyed one of the strongest turnarounds this season in the Pac 12 with an explosive ground attack that’s averaging 343 yards per game. Freshman quarterback Brett Hundley has been dynamic leading the Bruin attack and running back Jonathan Franklin has rushed his way into the Heisman conversation. The Bruins are high off their upset over the Nebraska Cornhuskers last week, earning their first top 25 ranking since 2008. They’ll have to try and ground a pass-happy Cougar offense, who has thrown the ball 111 times (!!) in two losses, in order to avoid the upset. Bruins roll by 21.
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