We just couldn't let go.
Customarily, we would end our season-long Pac-12 picks contest with the league championship game.
But with the conference about to splinter, we decided to keep this going as long as we could.
So the Star's panel of prognosticators — sports staffers Brett Fera, Michael Lev and Justin Spears — are picking every bowl game involving a Pac-12 team. That includes Washington in the College Football Playoff semifinals — and the championship game should the Huskies advance. It also includes Arizona's matchup against Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
Fera leads the season standings by one game over Spears. Lev is three games back.
See below for this week's picks and season records.
For more on our predictions — including a breakdown of the Alamo Bowl — check out The Wildcast Podcast. It’s available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
SATURDAY, DEC. 16
Matchup: UCLA (-4) vs. Boise State (LA Bowl)
Time/TV: 5:30 p.m., ABC
Fera’s prediction: Boise State to win outright
Lev’s prediction: Boise State to win outright
Spears’ prediction: Boise State to win outright
Matchup: Cal (+3) vs. Texas Tech (Independence Bowl)
Time/TV: 7:15 p.m., ESPN
Fera’s prediction: Cal to win outright
Lev’s prediction: Cal to win outright
Spears’ prediction: Cal to win outright
SATURDAY, DEC. 23
Matchup: Utah (-7) vs. Northwestern (Las Vegas Bowl)
Time/TV: 5:30 p.m., ABC
Fera’s prediction: Northwestern to win outright
Lev’s prediction: Utah to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Utah to win and cover
USC coach Lincoln Riley argues a call during the second half of the Trojans' game against Washington in Los Angeles on Nov. 4, 2023.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27
Matchup: No. 15 Louisville (-7.5) vs. USC (Holiday Bowl)
Time/TV: 6 p.m., FOX/11
Fera’s prediction: USC to win outright
Lev’s prediction: Louisville to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Louisville to win, USC to cover
THURSDAY, DEC. 28
Matchup: No. 14 Arizona (-3) vs. No. 12 Oklahoma (Alamo Bowl)
Time/TV: 7:15 p.m., ESPN
Fera’s prediction: Arizona to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Arizona to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Arizona to win and cover
Ben Gulbranson is expected to get the start at quarterback for Oregon State against Notre Dame in the 2023 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.
FRIDAY, DEC. 29
Matchup: No. 19 Oregon State (+6.5) vs. No. 16 Notre Dame (Sun Bowl)
Time/TV: 12 p.m., CBS/13
Fera’s prediction: Notre Dame to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Notre Dame to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Notre Dame to win and cover
MONDAY, JAN. 1
Matchup: No. 23 Liberty (+17.5) vs. No. 8 Oregon (Fiesta Bowl)
Time/TV: 11 a.m., ESPN
Fera’s prediction: Oregon to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Oregon to win and cover
Spears’ prediction: Oregon to win and cover
Washington running back Dillon Johnson (7) gains yards against Oregon during the first quarter of the Pac-12 Championship Game on Dec. 1, 2023, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Matchup: No. 3 Texas (-4) vs. No. 2 Washington (Sugar Bowl/CFP semifinal)
Time/TV: 6:45 p.m., ESPN
Fera’s prediction: Texas to win and cover
Lev’s prediction: Washington to win outright
Spears’ prediction: Washington to win outright
PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP
Fera: 1-0 straight up, 1-0 against the spread
Lev: 0-1 SU, 1-0 ATS
Spears: 0-1 SU, 1-0 ATS
SEASON TO DATE
Fera: 62-16 SU, 43-34-1 ATS
Lev: 61-17 SU, 40-37-1 ATS
Spears: 56-22 SU, 42-35-1 ATS
Are the Dallas Cowboys back? They head to Buffalo to face the Bills on Sunday afternoon in our game of the week
