Pac-12 Football Game Picks: A Big One as Unbeatens Oregon, Washington Clash

Cal faces Utah in Salt Lake City, where the Bears haven't won since 1963.

We don’t have to wonder who Cal wide receiver Taj Davis will be rooting for when No. 10 Oregon visits No. 7 Washington on Saturday afternoon in a Pac-12 showdown that will have implications for the conference championship, the College Football Playoff and the Heisman Trophy.

Davis played for the Huskies last season and it was his 62-yard touchdown reception from Michael Penix Jr. with 3:07 left that tied the score and allowed UW to escape Eugene with a 37-34 victory.

Davis will be busy with the Bears playing in Salt Lake City against No. 16 Utah, but he may be eager to hear the outcome of Oregon-Washington when he gets to the locker room.

Most of college football will be hanging on the outcome.

Both teams are 5-0 with Oregon averaging 51.6 points (second in the nation) and Washington 46.0 (third).

The winner will take another step toward the playoffs and the winning quarterback will remain very much part of a gradually shrinking pool of realistic Heisman candidates.

Penix is completing just under 75 percent of his passes for 1,999 yards with 16 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Oregon’s Bo Nix is connecting on better than 80 percent for 1,459 yards with 15 TDs and just one pick.

This one ought to be great fun.

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

Season: Jake 28-22, Jeff 26-24

All picks against the spread

Betting line from sisportsbook.com

FRIDAY

-- Stanford (plus-11.5) at Colorado, 7 p.m., ESPN

Jake: Stanford can be competitive in home games, but not on the road. Pick: Colorado

Jeff: Two-way star Travis Hunter seems likely to return for the Buffaloes. In any case, Stanford cannot score enough to hang with Colorado, especially at 5,430 feet above sea level in Boulder. Pick: Colorado

SATURDAY

-- Cal (plus-13.5) at No. 16 Utah, noon, Pac-12 Network

Jake: Will Cam Rising play? It’s critical to the choice. Well . . . Pick: Utah

Jeff: Everyone is impressed by new Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza but it’s important to remember that Oregon State had no tape to watch before facing him in his debut. He was good, but Utah’s defense has been one of the best in the country for a few years and that Salt Lake City crowd is going be challenging. Pick: Utah

-- No. 10 Oregon (plus-2.5) at No. 7 Washington, 12:30 p.m., ABC

Jake: Because the game is in Seattle, I go with the Huskies. One key play may decide it. Pick: Washington.

Jeff: For my money, these are the two best teams in the Pac-12. Utah has a dynamite defense, not enough offense, at least without Cam Rising. USC has a ridiculous offense, a puzzling defense. The two are loaded. Gonna be a lot of fun. But Husky Stadium is worth more than 2.5 points. Pick: Washington.

-- Arizona (plus-7.5) at No. 19 Washington State, 4 p.m., Pac-12 Networks

Jake: Arizona was impressive against USC and WSU looked lousy against UCLA. Things will be different in Pullman. Pick: Washington State

Jeff: WSU did not play well in its loss at UCLA so we should expect the Cougars to feel motivated to fix that. Arizona has lost 3 times but never by more than seven points. And the Wildcats nearly knocked off USC before losing 43-41 in triple-overtime last week. I think they cover in Pullman. Pick: Arizona.

-- No. 10 USC (plus-2.5) at No. 21 Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m., NBC

Jake: Neither team looked good last week, but Caleb Williams will have a big game on national TV. Pick: USC

Jeff: The Fighting Irish have dropped two of their past three games. USC is 6-0 but has allowed 82 points the past two outings. What’s with these teams? Pick: USC

-- No. 18 UCLA (plus-3.5) at No. 15 Oregon State, 5 p.m., FOX

Jake: Bruins freshman QB Dante Moore may have trouble on the road. DJ Uiagalelei seems to be in a groove. Pick: Oregon State

Jeff: UCLA freshman QB Dante Moore has completed just 47 percent of his passes in two Pac-12 games. That won’t get it done in Corvallis. Pick: Oregon State

Cover photo of Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. by Troy Wayrynen, USA Today

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