Pac-12 picks: USC over Notrre Dame; Stanford over UCLA
The story of my first season of writing this Pac-12 blog and making weekly predictions is a case of overestimating USC. Of course, I’m the not only one. I came very close to picking UCLA over the Trojans last week, but couldn’t quite do it. So what I have learned. Not much, judging by my USC-Notre Dame forecast.
On to the final weekend of the Pac-12 regular season:
Friday’s games
Utah at Colorado, 1 p.m. MST, FX
Someday, this may become a genuine rivalry. For now, there’s just one interesting historical note. The last time Utah played in Boulder, the Utes beat a No. 8-ranked Colorado team in 1961. All these years later, the Buffs wish they could just be No. 8 in the Pac-12. Utah 35, Colorado 17.
Washington at Washington State, 1:30 p.m. MST, Fox
Having watched the Cougars open the season at BYU in August, I was surprised they were not better then and I’m shocked that they didn’t improve. Washington, meanwhile, got better in the second half of the season. Washington 35, Washington State 21.
Arizona State at Arizona, 8 p.m. MST, ESPN
I wouldn’t have said this in September, but Arizona is the better team right now. Rich Rodriguez has done a terrific job in his first season with the Wildcats. Arizona 31, Arizona State 24.
Saturday’s games
Oregon at Oregon State, 1 p.m. MST, Pac-12 Networks
As much as I respect Stanford’s defense, I’m still very surprised that anybody could hold Oregon to 14 points. OSU’s defensive improvement is one of the big stories of the season, but the Beavers can’t do what Stanford did. Oregon 42, Oregon State 28.
Stanford at UCLA, 4:30 p.m. MST, Fox
This game will test the maturity of both teams, coming off huge, emotional wins. While declaring Jim Mora the Pac-12 Coach of the Year, I still favor Stanford’s David Shaw in terms of getting his guys to play at a high level again this week. And then there will be a rematch for the Pac-12 championship next week. Stanford 24, UCLA 21.
Notre Dame at USC, 6 p.m. MST, ABC
I believe the word here is "incorrigible" – for both me and the Trojans. Have we learned nothing this season? USC’s 2012 season may be the greatest waste of talent in college football history. But fill-in quarterback Max Wittek has persuaded me to go with the upset. USC 21, Notre Dame 17.</
Links from around the Pac-12
Arizona (Tucson Citizen)
»
Ex-Arizona softball assistant Larry Ray eager to continue coaching»
Arizona baseball: Wildcats aim for NCAAs in season-ending series vs. USC»
Arizona Wildcats announce a challenging non-conference basketball schedule»
Video tour of Arizona's Lowell-Stevens Football FacilityArizona St. (Arizona Republic)
»
ASU football head coach Todd Graham 'twice as prepared' to face tough schedule»
ASU's Noemi Jimenez tied for 6th at NCAA Women's Golf Championship»
ASU's Jacqueline Cako defeats top-ranked tennis player at NCAA tourney»
ASU baseball flat, error-prone in home defeatCalifornia (East Bay Tribune)
»
End of line for Stanford standout Mark Appel»
Wilner: Pac-12 setting up new bowl game partnerships»
Record-setting Cal men's golf team, Saint Mary's both advance to NCAA Championship»
Cal softball team blanked by Michigan in NCAA tournamentColorado (Denver Post)
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Connor Wood at QB tops list of CU Buffs' key football players for 2013»
Jordan Gehrke signs with CU Buffs, adds drama to QB situation»
Valor Christian golfer Victoria Glenn commits to CU Buffs»
Colorado Coaches Caravan offers insights on Buffs football, basketball
Oregon (Eugene Register-Guard)
»
Trio of FCS opponents will play at Autzen Stadium in coming years»
Ducks and Virginia will be a 12:30 p.m. PT kickoff on ABC/ESPN2»
Charges in Oregon's notice of allegations, received Dec. 5, looked very familiar»
Links: Award watch lists for Grasu and Ifo, projections for the 2014 bowl lineupOregon 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 traditionStanford (San Jose Mercury-News)
»
End of line for Stanford standout Mark Appel»
Stanford's Mark Appel prepares for draft a second time»
Wilner: Pac-12 setting up new bowl game partnerships»
Record-setting Cal men's golf team, Saint Mary's both advance to NCAA ChampionshipUCLA (Los Angeles Daily News)
»
2013-14 college football bowl schedule»
VIRGINIA 4, UCLA 3: Bruins men's tennis team falls in NCAA final»
UCLA men's tennis makes NCAA final; women's squad falls short»
PAC-12 TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Bryshon Nellum remains on a roll for USC
USC (Los Angeles Daily News)
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2013-14 college football bowl schedule»
Former USC star Robert Woods signs with Buffalo Bills»
PAC-12 TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Bryshon Nellum remains on a roll for USC»
COLLEGES: USC wins NCAA women's water polo crownWashington (Seattle Times)
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Huskies golfer Ying Luo stands 50th in NCAA championships | NW briefs»
UW's Austin Seferian-Jenkins labors in solitude as DUI case plays out»
Colts sign Caesar Rayford»
TV Alert: With rosters finalized, here's where to watch the Storm and other WNBA teamsWashington State (Spokane Spokesman-Review)
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Rodgers explains decision to leave WSU»
All atwitter about Urlacher»
Charges recommended in Mansel Simmons case»
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