It's the week before The Week — the preamble to potential Pac-12 pandemonium.
Next week's slate features three matchups between Pac-12 teams currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.
This week? A lot of large point spreads and FCS tune-ups.
No matter. Our intrepid prognosticators — Star sports staffers Brett Fera, Michael Lev and Justin Spears — are picking the games, per usual.
See below for our straight-up winners, picks against the spread and season records. For more on this week’s predictions — including a breakdown of the Arizona-UTEP game — check out The Wildcast Podcast. It’s available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 16
Matchup: No. 16 Oregon State (-25) vs. San Diego State
Time/TV: 12:30 p.m., FS1
Fera’s prediction: Oregon State to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Oregon State to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Oregon State to win, SDSU to cover
Matchup: No. 8 Washington (-16.5) at Michigan State
Time/TV: 2 p.m., Peacock
Fera’s prediction: Washington to win, MSU to cover
Lev’s prediction: Washington to win, MSU to cover
Spears’ prediction: Washington to win, MSU to cover
Oregon defensive back Nikko Reed, left, breaks up a pass intended for Texas Tech wide receiver Xavier White during the first half of their game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas.
Matchup: No. 13 Oregon (-38) vs. Hawaii
Time/TV: 5 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Fera’s prediction: Oregon to win, Hawaii to cover
Lev’s prediction: Oregon to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Oregon to win, Hawaii to cover
Matchup: No. 18 Colorado (-23.5) vs. Colorado State
Time/TV: 7 p.m., ESPN
Fera’s prediction: Colorado to win, CSU to cover
Lev’s prediction: Colorado to win, CSU to cover
Spears’ prediction: Colorado to win and cover
Matchup: Arizona State (+3) vs. Fresno State
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m., FS1
Fera’s prediction: ASU to win outright
Lev’s prediction: Fresno State to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Fresno State to win and cover
UTEP quarterback Gavin Hardison is on the ground after getting sacked during the second half against Northwestern on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Evanston, Ill.
Matchup: Arizona (-18) vs. UTEP
Time/TV: 8 p.m., Pac-12 Netwoks
Fera’s prediction: Arizona to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Arizona to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Arizona to win and cover
LAST WEEK
Fera: 8-0 straight up, 4-4 against the spread
Lev: 6-2 SU, 4-4 ATS
Spears: 6-2 SU, 7-1 ATS
SEASON TO DATE
Fera: 14-2 SU, 9-7 ATS
Lev: 12-4 SU, 6-10 ATS
Spears: 11-5 SU, 10-6 ATS
VIDEO: Arizona Football Press Conference — coach Jedd Fisch, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 (Arizona Athletics/Youtube)
