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Pac-12 Sports
Kurt Kragthorpe
Kurt Kragthorpe covers University of Utah sports teams for The Salt Lake Tribune.

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Pac-12 picks: Utes over Cal; Sun Devils over UCLA

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Still pleased with myself for not following the popular trend of taking Cal over Stanford last week, I'm here with another round of Pac-12 picks. For the first time this season, the schedule features six conference games, all on Saturday:

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Colorado at Oregon, 1 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Networks

The less effort, ink and cyberspace wasted on this game, the better. Oregon 50, Colorado 14.

UCLA at Arizona State, 1 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Networks

Now this is an intriguing game. UCLA is coming off a bye; ASU is coming off a big letdown after all the buildup to last week's game with Oregon. The winner will establish itself as a strong contender in the Pac-12 South. If defensive tackle Will Sutton missing all but one play of the Oregon game with a knee injury, ASU will have a much better chance of stopping UCLA's running game. On the other side, Sun Devils quarterback Taylor Kelly will have to regroup after a shaky performance. But I like ASU at home. Arizona State 28, UCLA 24.

USC at Arizona, 1:30 p.m. MDT, ABC/ESPN2

Last October's 48-41 victory for USC sure looks like the blueprint for this game. USC's defense is improved, but so is Arizona's offense. The key will be whether Arizona's defense can play anywhere near the level of its performance last week against Washington, because USC quarterback Matt Barkley feasts on bad defenses, as evidenced by his six touchdown passes against Colorado. Arizona will make it interesting, but it's hard to believe the Wildcats have advanced to the point of beating the Trojans. USC 42, Arizona 31.

Washington State at Stanford, 4:15 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Networks

Washington State's approach of not even bothering to run against the Cardinal will work in its favor, but the Cougars will have trouble scoring enough points, no matter what they do. This may not be the automatic blowout everyone would expect, however, with Stanford coming off the Big Game against Cal and WSU coming off a bye. Stanford 35, Washington State 17.

Cal at Utah, 7:45 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Networks

The biggest flaw in thinking Utah is poised for a recovery against the Bears is the evidence of last October's game, which Cal dominated. Ute coach Kyle Whittingham keeps insisting his team is close to breaking through, and he has to be right one of these weeks. While everyone's still scarred by the 2010 "Blackout" game against TCU, played in the afternoon, the Utes have won their three night games under such circumstances. As for actual factors in this game, Utah's issues are finishing drives and containing Cal receiver Keenan Allen, as Stanford managed to do last week. Utah 21, Cal 17.

Oregon State at Washington, 8:15 p.m. Pac-12 Networks

The Beavers looked vulnerable last week against Utah; then again, Washington hardly resembled a team capable of upsetting a Top 10 opponent. The Huskies should bounce back and deliver a much better effort than they did at Arizona, but I'm sticking with OSU until proven otherwise. Oregon State 24, Washington 17.</

PAC-12 Links
Links from around the Pac-12
Arizona (Tucson Citizen)
» Arizona-ASU baseball game to determine all-sport Territorial Cup Series winner
» Arizona basketball: Sean Miller not eager to fill final two spots on roster
» Arizona baseball holds on to narrow win over ASU
» The Arizona Wildcats get a commitment from another Griffey

Arizona St. (Arizona Republic)
» Arizona State golf earns NCAA finals berth
» ASU's Dallas Escobedo fires 1-hitter day after no-no
» Former quarterback Andrew Walter gave signals at ASU that he might be suited for politics
» Arizona baseball holds on to narrow win over ASU

California (East Bay Tribune)
» Record-setting Cal men's golf team, Saint Mary's both advance to NCAA Championship
» Cal softball team blanked by Michigan in NCAA tournament
» Cal, Saint Mary's set school records in leading 1-2 at NCAA men's golf regional
» San Jose Earthquakes' Marvin Chavez has suspension reduced by one game

Colorado (Denver Post)
» Valor Christian golfer Victoria Glenn commits to CU Buffs
» Colorado Coaches Caravan offers insights on Buffs football, basketball
» CU Buffs golfers in sixth place in NCAA central regional
» Lawyer: Ex-Buff charged in assault not wearing Nebraska gear after all

Oregon (Eugene Register-Guard)
» Links: DAT returning to the track, updating that Chip Kelly law, and more draft buzz
» Links: All-conference projection, draft outlooks and a bowl matchup shakeup
» Links: Mathis, Kelley help UO to Pac-12 track and field title
» Spring practice review: Special teams

Oregon State (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
» OSU finalizes Spring Showcase schedule
» OSU athletes to take part in talent show
» OSU racquetball: Program accomplishes historic feat with sweep of team titles
» OSU athletics: Rebranding doesn't stray too far from tradition

Stanford (San Jose Mercury-News)
» Record-setting Cal men's golf team, Saint Mary's both advance to NCAA Championship
» Stanford softball team loses to Nebraska, faces elimination
» Cal, Saint Mary's set school records in leading 1-2 at NCAA men's golf regional
» San Jose Earthquakes' Marvin Chavez has suspension reduced by one game

UCLA (Los Angeles Daily News)
» PAC-12 TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Bryshon Nellum remains on a roll for USC
» Former Valencia High star Max Homa leads Cal to Pac-12 men's golf title
» OJAI VALLEY TENNIS TOURNAMENT: UCLA, USC share championship spotlight
» COLLEGES: USC handles top-ranked Stanford in MPSF women's water polo final

USC (Los Angeles Daily News)
» PAC-12 TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Bryshon Nellum remains on a roll for USC
» COLLEGES: USC wins NCAA women's water polo crown
» Judge approves former Trojans football player Armond Armstead's lawsuit against USC
» Top linebacking recruit who committed to Florida State looking to transfer to USC or Georgia

Washington (Seattle Times)
» Seahawks begin OTAs tomorrow
» Kaitlin Inglesby's gem helps Washington softball team past Hawaii, 2-0, in NCAA regionals
» Huskies rally, open regional with a win
» Huskies' C.J. Wilcox has surgery on left foot | Northwest roundup

Washington State (Spokane Spokesman-Review)
» You never know what will get you going on a cold spring day
» Good news, more bad news for WSU
» 3A/4A track regionals
» Momentum lasts as long as tomorrow's starting pitcher



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