BYU will look to prove to Bronco Mendenhall that the grass isn't always greener as the Cougars take on 6-2 Virginia.
Photo: BYU
Article by WestCoastCFB
WSU at Arizona State
Betting Line: ASU -16
The Cougs have been one of the best teams in the Pac-12 the past 4 weeks with wins over Cal, Oregon State and Stanford to go along with a 2 point loss to BYU. That said, the Sun Devils are the best team in the Pac-12 when they are at the top of their game and Jake Dickert's defense will struggle to stop Rachaad White while Jayden de Laura won't find much success through the air against a feisty ASU defense. .
Prediction: Arizona State 35 vs WSU 21
Colorado at #7 Oregon
Betting Line: Oregon -24
The Ducks have constantly been playing close games this season and fans are more than ready for a mental break. They will get it this week. Kayvon Thibodeaux will make life Hell for the Buff's struggling offense and Travis Dye will run all over Colorado in Eugene. Oregon wins big and has it locked up by they 2nd quarter.
Prediction: Oregon 42 vs Colorado 10
Oregon State at California
Betting Line: OSU -1.5
Oregon State only being favored by 1.5 is one of the biggest surprises of the week. It makes you think Vegas might know something and maybe we should put the Beavers on upset alert. While Cal is 2-5, they have been competitive every week and played their best game last weekend at Folsom Field during a 26-3 win over Colorado. Cal will likely keep this game close into the 4th quarter but BJ Baylor will be too much and will put up a monster performance once again.
Prediction: Oregon State 35 vs Cal 24
Arizona at USC
Betting Line: USC -21
The Trojans should get back on the winning track this week and send Arizona to their 20th straight loss. Drake London may have his best game of the season and it wouldn't be surprising if he goes for over 200 yards.
Prediction: USC 41 vs Arizona 13
UCLA at Utah
Betting Line: Utah -6.5
This might be the most entertaining game of the week. The Bruins and Utes both need this win to avoid their 4th loss of the season after both programs suffered devastating losses last Saturday. UCLA features the top rushing defense in the Pac-12 and that should allow them to keep this close but there is a lot of QB uncertainty for the Bruins after DTR was injured last weekend. Cam Rising will be tasked with making plays through the air against a porous UCLA secondary and he has proven he has the arm to do it.
Prediction: Utah 31 vs UCLA 27
Virginia at #25 BYU
Betting Line: BYU -2.5
The Bronco Mendenhall Bowl. BYU's former coach returns after turning Virginia into one of the better programs in the ACC. He will find out Saturday, however, that his current program isn't as good as the Provo Cougars. BYU fans will leave this game feeling very satisfied.
Prediction: BYU 28 vs Virginia 24
Fresno State at #21 San Diego State
Betting Line: SDSU -1
San Diego State will look to preserve their perfect record with Jake Haener coming to town. The Aztecs have one of the best defenses in the country and will make things difficult for the Fresno State star but it feels like SDSU is due for a loss.
Prediction: Fresno State 24 vs San Diego State 21
Washington at Stanford
Betting Line: Stanford -2.5
These programs feel eerily similar. Both run antiquated offenses without much tempo and both struggle to run the ball as well as stop the run. We will give the Cardinal the edge here though for having the superior head coach. David Shaw has had plenty of success against Washington the past 3 years and ran the ball well even when he couldn't run it against anyone else in the conference.
Prediction: Stanford 21 vs Washington 17