The back half of the Pac-12 football schedule is going to be absolutely hellacious. Can anyone survive and make the College Football Playoff?
We'll find out a lot about two of the top contenders this week when No. 8 Oregon visits No. 7 Washington. More big-time ranked matchups are on tap.
Speaking of big-time, all three of the Star sports staff's prognosticators — Brett Fera, Michael Lev and Justin Spears — are above .500 against the spread. Lev hasn't lost a game straight up since Week 2!
See below for this week's straight-up winners, picks against the spread and season records.
For more on this week’s predictions — including a breakdown of the Arizona-Washington State game — check out The Wildcast Podcast. It’s available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
FRIDAY, OCT. 13
Matchup: Stanford (+11) at Colorado
Time/TV: 7 p.m., ESPN
Fera’s prediction: Colorado to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Colorado to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Colorado to win and cover
Utah tight end Thomas Yassmin, right, rushes for a touchdown against Oregon State during the second half of their game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. Oregon State won 21-7.
SATURDAY, OCT. 14
Matchup: Cal (+11) at No. 16 Utah
Time/TV: 12 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Fera’s prediction: Utah to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Utah to win, Cal to cover
Spears’ prediction: Utah to win and cover
Matchup: No. 8 Oregon (+3) at No. 7 Washington
Time/TV: 12:30 p.m., ABC/9
Fera’s prediction: Oregon to win outright
Lev’s prediction: Washington to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Washington to win and cover
Matchup: Arizona (+7.5) at No. 19 Washington State
Time/TV: 4 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Fera’s prediction: WSU to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Arizona to win outright
Spears’ prediction: Arizona to win outright
USC quarterback Caleb Williams is sacked by Arizona defensive lineman Russell Davis II during the first half on Oct. 7 in Los Angeles.
Matchup: No. 10 USC (+3) at No. 21 Notre Dame
Time/TV: 4:30 p.m., NBC/4
Fera’s prediction: USC to win outright
Lev’s prediction: USC to win outright
Spears’ prediction: USC to win outright
Matchup: No. 18 UCLA (+3.5) at No. 15 Oregon State
Time/TV: 5 p.m., FOX/11
Fera’s prediction: OSU to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: OSU to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: OSCU to win, UCLA to cover
LAST WEEK
Fera: 3-1 straight up, 1-3 against the spread
Lev: 4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS
Spears: 2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS
SEASON TO DATE
Fera: 32-5 SU, 19-18 ATS
Lev: 33-4 SU, 20-17 ATS
Spears: 28-9 SU, 22-15 ATS
VIDEO: Arizona football coach Jedd Fisch says quarterback Jayden de Laura (ankle) is a "gametime decision" but will be fully dressed at Washington State. De Laura is "certainly closer than he's ever been." Fisch said de Laura could be used in an "emergency situation." (Justin Spears/Arizona Daily Star)
