This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The Pac-12 football schedule is into the annual phase where upcoming Thursday games mean that two teams will have the weekend off. In this week's case, the schedule starts Friday night. On to the picks: Friday's game Oregon at California, 8:30 p.m. MDT, ESPN California couldn't keep up with the Ducks last season, even when the Bears had Jared Goff at quarterback. So can Davis Webb and his offense match Oregon's production this year? Yes, partly because Oregon's defense is worse. And the Ducks' offense is not its usually prolific self. Cal is a slight favorite in Berkeley, in what should be a wild adventure. California 45, Oregon 38.  Saturday's games Colorado at Stanford, 1 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Networks The developing question in the Pac-12 South is how seriously should everyone take Colorado? The Buffaloes are one win away from bowl eligibility, which would have been viewed as a major achievement before the season. But now they're playing for much more. Christian McCaffrey's availability for Stanford is a big variable. If he returns after missing last week's win at Notre Dame, the Cardinal should win. Even if not, it is tough to picture the Buffs winning on the road. They're vastly improved, but they barely barely won at Oregon. Stanford 27, Colorado 24.  Utah at UCLA, 2 p.m. MDT, Fox The status of UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen is the issue in this game. More to the point, if he plays after missing last week's loss at Washington State, how effective will he be? Even with Rosen playing well, the Bruins scored only 17 points in last year's win at Utah and 17 points in this year's win at BYU. Utah's offense was not great at Oregon State last week, but the Utes should be able to score enough to won at the Rose Bowl. Utah 21, UCLA 17. Oregon State at Washington, 4:30 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Networks Oregon State's upset of the Huskies as 37-point underdogs in 1985 is being invoked this week, as the Beavers face similar odds with a third-string quarterback as their starter. There will be no Rich Gonzalez sequel, however. Washington 44, Oregon State 7. Washington State at Arizona State, 8 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Networks Arizona State is the Pac-12's most unpredictable team. The Sun Devils were overwhelmed by Colorado last week, and now they're facing a Cougar team that has been consistent lately. After the Buffaloes scored 40 points against ASU, Luke Falk's offense should be able to do something similar. Washington State 40, Arizona State 31. – Kurt Kragthorpe