Pac-12 Football Game Picks: How Many More 50-Point Outbursts This Week?

Even in this offense-rich final season of Pac-12 football, how many of you would be surprised to learn there have been 17 games in which conference teams scored at least 50 points?

I counted them up and I know I was surprised.

USC has reached 50 points four times, Washington and Oregon three times apiece, Oregon State and Washington State twice each, and Cal, UCLA and Utah once.

How prolific is that?

Just two seasons ago, before the arrival of new coaches at Oregon, USC, Washington and WSU and high-level transfer quarterbacks at all four schools, Pac-12 teams accounted for a total of four 50-point games in 2021.

And this season is not over.

How many more 50-point outbursts can we expect this weekend?

I’ve established an unofficial over/under at 1.5, and that may be conservative.

USC, which is a 14.5-point underdog on the road to Oregon, already has proven it’s capable of allowing huge point totals.

Fast-improving Arizona gets a shot at Coach Prime’s defenseless Colorado squad. Oregon State is a 21.5-point favorite at home against Stanford, which somehow held Washington State to seven points last week but has given up 42 or more five times.

Cal has been vulnerable on defense all season but WSU’s past five performances suggest a lower-scoring game.

Enjoy the games:

Last week: Jeff 5-1, Jake 3-3

Season: Jake 39-33, Jeff 38-34

All picks against the spread

Betting line from sisportsbook.com

Saturday

— No. 23 Arizona (minus-10.5) at Colorado, 11 a.m., Pac-12 Network

Jake: Arizona just keeps getting better with Noah Fifita at quarterback, and Buffaloes’ mojo is gone. Pick: Arizona

Jeff: Arizona has won three in a row, including one on the road. Colorado has lost three in a row, including two at home. Feels like a trend. Pick: Arizona

— Washington State (plus-1.5) at Cal, 1 p.m., ESPN2

Jake: Two teams headed the wrong way. Homefield may be the deciding factor in this tossup game. Pick: Cal

Jeff: I’m not convinced Cal can win three in a row to become bowl eligible. But for the first time in a month, instead of playing a Top-25 team, they’re got an opponent coming off a home loss to Stanford. Pick: Cal

—No. 13 Utah (plus-9.5) at No. 5 Washington, 12:30 p.m., FOX

Jake: The Huskies have looked vulnerable the past few weeks, while Utah found an offense against Arizona State. But this game is in Seattle and the Utes have been less impressive on the road. Pick: Washington

Jeff: Washington’s past five victories were by an average of barely seven points. That wouldn’t cover the spread here, but I have confidence the Huskies — and their fans — will get over the top in this one. Pick: Washington

—Stanford (plus-21.5) at No. 12 Oregon State, 2:30 p.m., Pac-12 Network

Jake: The Beavers are tough at home and will win, but Stanford has improved enough to stay closer than three touchdowns. Pick: Stanford.

Jeff: In three Pac-12 road games, Stanford scored 46 points double-OT vs. Colorado but was held to 10 points by USC and Washington State. If the Cardinal scores only 10 at Corvallis, the Beavers will cover. Pick: Oregon State

— Arizona State (plus-17.5) at UCLA, 6 p.m., Pac-12 Network

Jake: Both teams have quarterback concerns because of injuries, and both teams’ starting quarterback is a question. The Bruins have a better chance of having one of its quality QBs ready. Pick: UCLA

Jeff: ASU is 106th nationally in sacks allowed (26) and UCLA is tied for second in sacking the quarterback (34). Seems like a very bad combination for the Sun Devils. Pick: UCLA

— USC (plus-14.5) at No. 6 Oregon, 7:30 p.m., FOX

Jake: When the season began no one would have believed USC could have Caleb Williams available and be a two-touchdown underdog against anyone. Even more interesting is that the Ducks should beat the spread. Pick: Oregon.

Jeff: Cal scored 49 points against the Trojans. The mind reels wondering what the Ducks might do. Pick: Oregon

Cover photo of USC quarterback Caleb Williams by Jessica Alcheh, USA Today

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo