Pac-12 Football Picks: Cal Will Play After All - UCLA Awaits at the Rose Bowl

UPDATED

It’s already been a bizarre Pac-12 season after just one week — a season that start two months late and had two games canceled on opening day.

Jake Curtis and I hardly distinguished ourselves, either. But just as teams have struggled to tackle well and execute crisply in their early games in a season disrupted by the coronavirus, we will find our edge.

After a collection of high-level matchups in Week 1, there isn’t quite the intrigue this week. Except, of course, on the question of whether games again will be canceled.

Cal’s visit to Arizona State figured to be the best game of the week, but it was canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak at ASU. Instead, the Bears trek to UCLA to face the Bruins on Sunday morning.

UCLA was available because its game vs. Utah was canceled due to COVID issues within the Utes' roster.

All picks against the spread

Lines taken from vegasinsider.com (updated Tuesday lines)

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

Saturday

*** USC (minus-10) at Arizona (12:30 p.m., FOX)

Jake: USC was fortunate to beat Arizona State, but Trojans won’t need luck this week against an Arizona team this is playing its season opener. Pick: USC

Jeff: The Trojans have beaten Arizona seven straight times and prevailed by 27 points last season. This will be no different. Pick: USC

*** Colorado (plus-7) at Stanford (12:30 p.m., ESPN2)

Jake: A lot depends on whether Cardinal QB Davis Mills plays, but Buffaloes’ QB Sam Noyer showed me enough in last week’s win over UCLA. Pick: Colorado

Jeff: The Buffaloes looked pretty good offensively while beating UCLA 48-42. Not sure the Cardinal will keep up even with Mills now cleared to play. Pick: Colorado

*** Oregon (minus-10) at Washington State (4 p.m., FOX)

Jake: The Cougars’ run-and-shoot offense under freshman QB Jayden da Laura was impressive against Oregon State, but this is Oregon. Pick: Oregon

Jeff: The Cougars will be reminded that playing Oregon State is a lot different than facing the Ducks. Pick: Oregon

*** Oregon State (plus-14) at Washington (8 p.m., FS1)

Jake: Another situation where a team that has played a game (Oregon State) has the advantage. This will be the first FBS start for some Washington QB (presumably Kevin Thomson). Pick: Oregon State

Jeff: The Huskies will be fired up to play this game after missing their trip to the Bay Area last week. And the Beavers appear to have some defensive issues. Pick: Washington

*** Cal (plus-4) at UCLA (9 a.m. Sunday, FS1)

Jake: UCLA has advantages because it has already played a game and did not have to arrange travel plans at the last minute, but Cal has enough experience to overcome that. Pick: Cal

Jeff: No prep time, but that works both ways. And at least the Bears have some fresh UCLA game film from last week. The Bruins haven’t seen Bill Musgrave’s offense. And I have no doubt the Bears will be fired up for this game after such a long and frustrating wait. Pick: Cal

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

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