NCAA Football Pac 12 Football

Pac 12 Football Week 9 Picks, Score Predictions

Pac 12 Football Week 9 Picks

Cody Kessler USC Trojans
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

All 12 teams in the Pac 12 are playing this weekend. Six of those teams are ranked and the conference is making strides towards dethroning the SEC for conference supremacy. Here are my predictions for each game this week.

No. 6 Oregon at Cal: Friday 10:00 ET

If you like scoring and exciting offenses then tune into the Pac 12's version of Friday night lights. Oregon runs the fast-paced, zone-read, play-action based offense with Heisman candidate Marcus Mariota running the offense like Steve Nash used to lead the Phoenix Suns. Cal has been lighting up the scoreboard as well. Oregon's defense is superior to Cal's and that will be the difference.
Oregon 55, Cal 38

No. 25 UCLA at Colorado: 2:00 ET

Many picked the Bruins to be a top-five team this year but not me. Offensive line play is the most overlooked position group in sports, and the Bruins have had a terrible line for three seasons now. Luckily for the Bruins, Colorado is nowhere near ready to compete in the Pac 12. The Bruins' secondary will contain but not stop wide receiver Nelson Spruce en route to a victory.
UCLA 31, Colorado 14

Oregon State at Stanford: 3:30 ET

Oregon State and Stanford have both had disappointing first halves of the season thus far. Stanford lost last week on the road to Arizona State while the Beavers hosted Utah and lost last week in overtime. Stanford really needs to find a running back because their power schemes are based off of a talented running back. If you are an old-school football fan then this will be a great game for you to watch. Smash-mouth, low scoring football.
Stanford 17, Oregon State 10

No. 15 Arizona at Washington State: 6:00 ET

Arizona is on upset alert on the road at Washington State this Saturday. Arizona and Rich Rodriguez have surprised everyone thus far by climbing up to No. 15 in the rankings. Had they made a last second chip shot field goal against USC, the Wildcats would likely be ranked in the top 5. Conversely, had they not completed a Hail Mary to beat Cal on the last play of the game, they might not be ranked. The luck runs out at Washington State.
Washington State 45, Arizona 38

No. 20 USC at No. 19 Utah 10:00 ET

The best game from a ranking standpoint will be played in Utah on Saturday night. Utah has had surprising success for the first time since joining the Pac 12. USC is the top team in the conference from strictly a talent standpoint, but Steve Sarkisian is holding them back. Utah is choosing to go back to Tyler Wilson at quarterback for this game.
USC 31, Utah 24

No. 14 Arizona State at Washington 10:45 ET

Before the season, I predicted Arizona State would lose to Stanford, Notre Dame and at Washington. After the Sun Devils impressive victories over USC and Stanford, I have changed my mind about this game. While I think Chris Petersen is one of the best coaches in all of football, Arizona State is clicking right now and it doesn't matter who is playing quarterback. Taylor Kelly seems to be back at full strength and will start on the road. His experience and having the best receiver not named Amari Cooper will lead the Sun Devils to a tough road win.
Arizona State 34, Washington 31

Interact with Matt Heinz on Twitter @MattHeinz_Rant

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