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The Utah Utes have the weekend off in advance of next Thursday's game at Arizona State, while the Pac-12's postseason possibilities will come into only slightly better focus. I'll explain as we go. On to the picks.  Thursday's game UCLA at Colorado, 7 p.m. MDT, Fox Sports 1 Colorado has not played since beating Stanford 10-5; UCLA's last game was a 52-45 loss to Utah. The score of this game will be somewhere in between.  Colorado leads the Pac-12 South by a half-game over Utah and USC with a 4-1 conference record. Only a total collapse would keep the Buffaloes' Nov. 26 vs. Utah from becoming highly meaningful. UCLA is 3-5 overall, playing for bowl eligibility. The Bruins may finish the season with Mike Fafaul as their quarterback, with Josh Rosen injured. Fafaul passed for 464 yards against Utah, but threw four interceptions. Colorado's Sefo Liufau struggled against Stanford, so he needs a bounce-back game. Colorado 35, UCLA 28.  Saturday's games  Oregon State at Stanford, 1:30 p.m. MDT, Fox Sports 1 Oregon State showed some life against Washington State last week, but lost a 24-6 halftime lead in a 35-31 defeat. The Cardinal scored 34 points at Arizona in a long-awaited performance by the offense, and should thrive again. Stanford 35, Oregon State 17.  Arizona at Washington State, 2 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Networks Washington State needed a big comeback in the second half to overtake Oregon State, but the Cougars remain tied for the Pac-12 North lead at 5-0. They can afford one defeat going into the Apple Cup vs. Washington, and that loss won't come in this game. Washington State 45, Arizona 28.  Oregon at USC, 5 p.m. MDT, ESPN Freshman quarterback Justin Herbert may have revived Oregon's season by passing for 489 yards in a 54-35 defeat of Arizona State last week, but the Ducks (3-5) have a long way to go for bowl eligibility. Stanford (5-3) has a chance to salvage its season, with the schedule softening in November. USC 42, Oregon 28. Washington at California, 8:30 p.m. MDT, ESPN I'll be explaining this all month: Practically speaking, Utah needs Washington to remain unbeaten. If the Huskies qualify for the College Football Playoff, the Rose Bowl will need a replacement from the Pac-12. Right now, the Utah-Colorado winner would be that team. California should score some points against the Huskies, but won't be able to stop them. Washington 45, California 28.  – Kurt Kragthorpe