It's a relatively light week in the Pac-12 Conference, with four teams on bye. They include No. 7 Washington and No. 8 Oregon, who meet next week in Seattle.
But this week's slate isn't without intrigue. Two of the league's other ranked teams, No. 13 Washington State and No. 15 Oregon State, have to go on the road. All eyes will be on No. 9 USC's struggling defense in a nationally televised game vs. Arizona. And Colorado is seeking to end its two-game losing streak in an afternoon game at ASU.
How do the Star's fearless prognosticators — Brett Fera, Michael Lev and Justin Spears — see it all playing out?
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-USC game — check out The Wildcast Podcast. It’s available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
SATURDAY, OCT. 7
Matchup: No. 13 Washington State (+3.5) at UCLA
Time/TV: 12 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Fera’s prediction: WSU to win outright
Lev’s prediction: UCLA to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: WSU to win outright
Colorado coach Deion Sanders faces new challenges this week. The Buffaloes are seeking to end a two-game losing streak, and they're out of the national spotlight for the first time this season.
Matchup: Colorado (-3.5) at Arizona State
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Fera’s prediction: Colorado to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Colorado to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Colorado to win and cover
Matchup: No. 15 Oregon State (-9.5) at Cal
Time/TV: 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Fera’s prediction: Oregon State to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: OSU to win, Cal to cover
Spears’ prediction: OSU to win, Cal to cover
Matchup: Arizona (+22) at No. 9 USC
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Fera’s prediction: USC to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: USC to win, Arizona to cover
Spears’ prediction: Arizona to win outright
LAST WEEK
Fera: 4-1 straight up, 4-1 against the spread
Lev: 5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS
Spears: 4-1 SU, 5-0 ATS
SEASON TO DATE
Fera: 29-4 SU, 18-15 ATS
Lev: 29-4 SU, 18-15 ATS
Spears: 26-7 SU, 20-13 ATS
Arizona defensive end Taylor Upshaw and running back Jonah Coleman discuss the Wildcats' upcoming road test at No. 9 USC. Video by Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
