Pac-12 Football Game Picks: We Are Sure of This - The Pac Won't Go Unbeaten This Week

The Pac-12 was perfect in Week 1 of the college football season.

We certainly weren’t.

While all 12 conference schools posted victories — improving the Pac-12’s season record to 13-0 after USC won in Week 0 — Jake Curtis and I had a tougher time picking against the spread in what was a slate of entertaining games.

We’ll try again this week and we can promise the Pac-12 won’t go unbeaten again. That’s because USC and Stanford square off, opening conference play in what may be the last meeting between the schools with the Trojans headed to the Big Ten next fall and Stanford joining Cal in the ACC.

There will be a lot of those “farewell” matchups this season, with 10 Pac-12 schools already committed to three different conference and Oregon State and Washington State still sorting out their futures.

Cal fans will get the chance to watch nearly a full schedule of games Saturday before the Bears (1-0) square off vs. Auburn (1-0) in the first-ever meeting of the two programs.

The Bears (58) and Tigers (59) totaled 117 points last week, making this a matchup of teams that combined for more points than any two squads squaring off this week.

We'll take a wild guess and suggest there won't be 117 points scored on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

Last week: Jake 8-4, Jeff 7-5

Season: Jake 9-4, Jeff 7-6

All picks against the spread

Betting line from sisportsbook.com

Saturday

-- No. 14 Utah (minus-7.5) at Baylor, 9 a.m., ESPN

Jake: Utes quarterback Cameron Rising is questionable for the game, but Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen is definitely out. The Bears’ home loss to Texas State isn’t encouraging. Pick: Utah

Jeff: Walk-on quarterback Bryson Barnes was put on scholarship — and was able to quit his part-time job at Lowe’s — after directing the Utes to an opening win over Florida. Starter Cam Rising isn’t a sure thing to return from injury this week, but the Utes are in good hands, either way. Pick: Utah

-- Nebraska (plus-12.5) at Colorado, 9 a.m., FOX

Jake: A 10 a.m. start in Boulder? Hmmm. Was the Buffs’ win at TCU a fluke? Hmmm. We’ll believe in Colorado for one more week. Pick: Colorado

Jeff: Anyone feel like doubting Coach Prime at this point? Pick: Colorado

-- Tulsa (plus-34.5) at No. 10 Washington, 2 p.m., Pac-12 Network

Jake: Huge spread, but after seeing what the Huskies and QB Michael Penix Jr. did to Boise State, we’ll back Washington again against a team picked to finish near the bottom of the American Athletic Conference. Pick: Washington

Jeff: Tulsa routed Arkansas-Little Rock 42-7 last week, an outcome that did little to impress oddsmakers. Pick: Washington

-- No. 11 Oregon (minus-6.5) at Texas Tech, 4 p.m., FOX

Jake: The Ducks won’t be scoring 81 points this week, and this is Texas Tech’s home opener after losing to Wyoming in two OTs. The spread looks about right, so a made extra point may be the difference. Pick: Oregon

Jeff: The Ducks scored 81 points last week and Texas Tech lost at Wyoming. Wonder what’s the most points Oregon has totaled after two games? Pick: Oregon

-- No. 19 Wisconsin (minus-6.5) at Washington State, 4:30 p.m., ABC

Jake: Looking for a big day out of Cougars QB Cameron Ward. Pick: Washington State

Jeff: The Cougars beat the Badgers 17-14 last year in Madison. If they make it two in a row, does the Big Ten offer them an invite? Pick: Washington State

-- Arizona (plus-9.5) at Mississippi State, 4:30 p.m., SEC Network

Jake: Both teams polished off FCS foes in their openers, but Arizona QB Jayden de Laura may throw an interception at the wrong time this week. Pick: Mississippi State

Jeff: The Wildcats appear improved, but they lost to Mississippi State by 22 points at home last year. Pick: Mississippi State.

-- UCLA (minus-13.5) at San Diego State, 4:30 p.m., CBS

Jake: The Aztecs were not impressive in the win over Idaho State, but UCLA’s quarterback situation does not breed confidence in a two-touchdown win. Pick: San Diego State

Jeff: The Bruins labored a bit last week but they are 15-1 all-time vs. the Aztecs. Pick: UCLA

-- UC Davis (no line) at No. 18 Oregon State, 6 p.m., Pac-12 Network

Jake: The Beavers’ offensive line is awfully impressive, and that should be enough. Pick: Oregon State

Jeff: The Beavers are on a roll, having won eight of their past nine games. Pick: Oregon State

-- Stanford (plus-28.5) at No. 6 USC, 7:30 p.m., FOX

Jake: USC will score enough points to win comfortably, but will it give up enough points to let Stanford cover? 45-21 seems about right. Pick: Stanford

Jeff: Troy Taylor is going to get things going at Stanford, but it won’t be this week, Pick: USC

-- Auburn (minus-6.5) at Cal, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Jake: We expect QB Sam Jackson V to start for Cal, and the Bears will benefit from the cross-country trip the Tigers must make. Pick: Cal

Jeff: Maybe Cal wins this game. Either way, the Bears will score enough to cover. Pick: Cal

-- Oklahoma State (minus-3.5) at Arizona State, 7:30 p.m., FS1

Jake: Freshman QB Jaden Rashada is expected to start again for ASU with Drew Pine not quite ready. The Cowboys did not look good last week, but they will be better this time. Pick: Oklahoma State

Jeff: Can East Bay freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada beat a Big 12 team in his second college game? Pick: Oklahoma State

Cover photo of USC freshman wide receiver/return specialist Zachariah Branch by Gary A. Vasquez, USA Today

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