Pac-12 Picks: Is Oregon Primed to Take Total Control of the North?

All 12 teams set to engage in six games, starting Thursday night with UCLA visiting Stanford

Photo by Kirby Lee, USA Today

This weekend’s Pac-12 menu includes six conference games, beginning Thursday night with UCLA’s visit to Stanford, two teams wondering who will play quarterback.

Cal is back home after a road game at Oregon followed by a week off. The Bears take on Oregon State on Saturday, wondering if Beavers’ star Jermar Jefferson will be healthy enough play running back.

And Oregon visits defending champion Washington, wondering if it can tighten its grip on the Pac-12 North.

Jake and I, meanwhile, are wondering if we can rediscover our mojo and deliver a set of dead-on picks this week. Honest, you’ve got to believe we’re ready to get ‘ em right.

All picks against the spread

Lines taken from vegasinsider.com (opening lines used)

Last week: Jeff 2-3, Jake 1-4

Season: Jake 26-28, Jeff 26-28

UCLA (plus-7 1/2) at Stanford

Jake: Stanford seems to be getting it together no matter who plays quarterback. UCLA simply stinks. Pick: Stanford

Jeff: Stanford has beaten UCLA 11 straight times, and none of those Bruins teams were giving up 37 points per game. Pick: Stanford

Oregon State (plus-9 1/2) at Cal

Jake: The question is whether Cal can score the 10 points needed to cover. The Bears’ defense will get its first TD of the season to ensure it. Pick: Cal

Jeff: Cal scored 49 points against the Beavers a year ago and while I don’t expect that to happen, half that total should carry the day in this one. Pick: Cal

Oregon (minus-3 1/2) at Washington

Jake: The Huskies are usually the team with the standout defense, but it’s the Ducks’ D that rules the conference this year. Pick: Oregon

Jeff: The Ducks took a big hit this week with word that tight end Jacob Breeland, who has six TD receptions, is done with an ACL. But quarterback Justin Herbert has plenty of other targets and this point spread isn't big enough. Pick: Oregon

Arizona State (plus-7 1/2) at Utah

Jake: The Sun Devils have been excellent in close games this season, but they won’t stay close enough in the thin air in Salt Lake City. Pick:

Jeff: Will the Utes be looking ahead to Cal a week from now? Probably not. Pick: Utah

Colorado (plus-12 1/2) at Washington State

Jake: The Cougars scored 63 points in a game this season and lost – with no overtime. They may reach 60 again – and win. Pick: Washington State

Jeff: WSU was ranked No. 19 in the AP Top-25 before allowing 143 points the past three games to open the Pac-12. Yes, the Cougars lost all three games. Hey, they lost to UCLA. The Buffs cover. Pick: Colorado

Arizona (plus-7 1/2) at USC

Jake: Arizona will make some weird mistake at some point to allow the Trojans to take control of the game. Pick: USC

Jeff: Not sure a close loss at Notre Dame convinces me the Trojans are ready to turn things around. But they have won the past six meetings in this series. Pick: USC