Pac-12 picks

 Well, that wasn’t great.

 The winners weren’t difficult to predict in the Pac-12 last week. To that end, we posted a 10-1 record, missing only on Nevada’s upset of California.

 But against the spread? Different story. Of the eight games for which we posted betting lines, only four of our picks – UCLA, Colorado State, Stanford and Cal – did what we expected.

 And with some legitimate opponents on the Pac-12 schedule this week, it might get even tougher. Oh well. Lines are for gambling purposes only. There is no entertainment to be had here.

 All games Saturday, except those that aren’t.

Utah at Utah State (Utah by 7.5), Friday: A bit of a step up in competition for the Utes, but this isn’t a game a Pac-12 contender should lose. Utah 24-14.

Southern Utah at California (no line): Southern Utah doesn’t run the pistol, does it? Cal 42-10.

Sacramento State at Colorado (no line): The Buffaloes should be able to handle an FCS team. Right? Colorado 27-14.

Eastern Washington at Washington State (no line): The Cougars can’t struggle as badly this week as they did against BYU. Might get tested, but they’ll give Mike Leach his first win. WSU 38-17.

USC at Syracuse (USC by 26): Trojans will romp, and build a Matt Barkley billboard outside the stadium afterward. USC 51-20.

Wisconsin at Oregon State (Wisconsin by 7): This line has moved a bit in OSU’s favor, and for good reason. Beavers will cover this one, I think. Wisconsin 28-24.

Fresno State at Oregon (Oregon by 35): Can you say “Marcus Mariota?” No, really. Can you? Oregon 55-13.

Washington at LSU (LSU by 23.5): To prepare for Tigers, UW brought a live tiger to practice. To prepare for Huskies, LSU laughed, and laughed, and laughed. LSU 42-14.

Nebraska at UCLA (Nebraska by 5.5): Calling for a mild upset here. Brett Hundley is going to give the Huskers’ defense some problems. UCLA 31-21.

Illinois at Arizona State (ASU by 3.5): A bit of a step up in competition for the Sun Devils this week, but they should make it 2-0. ASU 27-21.

Oklahoma State at Arizona (OSU by 10.5): Lots of talent to replace for OSU, but if that Savannah State score was any indication … yikes. OSU 41-21.

Duke at Stanford (Stanford by 15): (Joke about academics and such.) Stanford 28-10.

Last week: 10-1 straight up, 4-4 against the spread

Season: 10-1 straight up, 4-4 against the spread

Christian Caple