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We all know that ATQ readers are the most knowledgeable fans on the internet.
Now it’s time to prove it!
Each week we’ll put up a series of PAC-12 polls with the goal of predicting that week’s Paction. Last week, ATQ looked like a bunch of damn fools by going 83% in on the Wildcats beating the Rainbow Warriors but managed to save some dignity by hitting 55% correct against the spread.
THIS WEEK’S RESIDENT GENIUS IS:
CORDIALDUCK
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UCLA @ CINCINNATI
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TIME/CHANNEL: Thursday, 4:00 PM, ESPN
2018 RECORD: UCLA (3-9, 3-6) / Cincinnati (11-2, 6-2)
HISTORICAL RECORD: Last year, the Bearcats beat the Bruins 26 to 17 in their first-ever meeting.
NOTES: Chip Kelly will attempt to double last year’s win total and make it to a bowl game in his second year. It may be another season or two until Kelly has the roster he wants for his system, a process that could be aided with some strategic recruiting, but for now he has Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Joshua Kelley to build around. Cincinnati should once again give the Bruins stiff competition and possibly the best opportunity for a non-conference win.
Poll
Who wins?
Poll
Who covers?
This poll is closed
-
54%
Bruins (+2.5)
(70 votes) -
45%
Bearcats (-2.5)
(58 votes)
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KENT STATE @ ARIZONA STATE
TIME/CHANNEL: Thursday, 7:00 PM, PAC-12 Network
2018 RECORD: Kent State (2-10, 1-7) / Arizona State (7-6, 5-4)
HISTORICAL RECORD: This is the first ever match-up between the Sun Devils and the Golden Flashes.
NOTES: If Herm doesn’t have his team ready for this one, they have a serious problem. Still, this should be a fun game to watch even if only to checkout true-freshman Jayden Daniels connection with his taleneted receiving corps.
Poll
Who wins?
Poll
Who covers
This poll is closed
-
54%
Sun Devils (-25.0)
(75 votes) -
45%
Golden Flashes (+25.0)
(63 votes)
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#14 UTAH @ BYU
TIME/CHANNEL: Thursday, 7:15 PM, ESPN
2018 RECORD: Utah (9-5, 6-3) / BYU (7-6)
HISTORICAL RECORD: The Utes lead this one 58 to 31, and have also tied Cougars four times.
NOTES: For now, it seems we can still call this game the Holy War. And that’s good, because the name accurately describes the intensity that these two teams and fan bases hate each other. Utah has the roster and identity to push for the PAC-12 championship and possiby a playoff spot, but first they’ll need to take care of pesky rivals like the Cougars. Does BYU have some Hawaii-esque magic in them? And are the Utes ready for the pressure starting week one?
Poll
Who wins?
Poll
Who covers?
This poll is closed
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70%
Utes (-6.0)
(103 votes) -
29%
Cougars (+6.0)
(43 votes)
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COLORADO STATE vs COLORADO*
(*Neutral site: Sports Authority Field - Denver, Colorado)
TIME/CHANNEL: Friday, 7:00 PM, ESPN
2018 RECORD: Colorado (5-7, 2-7) / Colorado State (3-9, 2-6)
HISTORICAL RECORD: Colorado holds a hefty lead over their in-state rival, 66 to 22. They’ve also tied twice.
NOTES: Speaking of hate, the Colorado Buffaloes will be fueled by it for the next month as they take on three straight rivals in their non-conference slate. The Rams are in the middle of a rebuild, but perhaps catching Mel Tucker in his first game as head coach will help Colorado State start the season off with a giant leap. Steven Montez and Laviska Shenault will be welcome sights.
Poll
Who wins?
Poll
Who covers?
This poll is closed
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46%
Buffaloes (-13.5)
(80 votes) -
53%
Rams (+13.5)
(91 votes)
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OKLAHOMA STATE @ OREGON STATE
TIME/CHANNEL: Friday, 7:30 PM, FS1
2018 RECORD: Oklahoma State (7-6, 3-6) / Oregon State (2-10, 1-8)
HISTORICAL RECORD: This is the first ever match-up between these two teams, the winner will have official ownership of the letters OSU.
NOTES: How much faith should we have in this Beaver team? They’ve ar least got an offense, but are looking a little bit like an opposite Cal this year. Perhaps Jonathan Smith can get his team to constant-shootout status. It certainly would make for an interest game one against the Cowboys!
Poll
Who wins?
This poll is closed
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11%
Oregon State
(26 votes) -
88%
Oklahoma State
(204 votes)
Poll
Who covers?
This poll is closed
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27%
Beavers (+14.0)
(53 votes) -
72%
Cowboys (-14.0)
(140 votes)
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EASTERN WASHINGTON @ #13 wASHINGTON
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 12 PM, PAC-12 Network
2018 RECORD: Eastern Washington (12-3, 7-1) / Washington (10-4, 7-2)
HISTORICAL RECORD: Who knows, who cares.
NOTES: Let’s hope that the Eagles can summon their inner Vernon Adams Jr. and upset another PAC-12 Washington team. Back the PAC is wack! Bring on the chaos!
Poll
Who wins?
This poll is closed
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26%
Eastern Washington
(60 votes) -
73%
washington
(169 votes)
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NORTHWESTERN @ #25 STANFORD
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 1 PM, FOX
2018 RECORD: Northwestern (9-5, 8-1) / Stanford (9-4, 6-3)
HISTORICAL RECORD: The Cardinal and Wildcats have battled seven times. Three resulted in Stanford victories, two were a tie and two were wins for Northwestern.
NOTES: If you’ve listened to the Quack 12 podcast recently, you know that Hythloday and I are down on Stanford this year. The Wildcats will look to have a game like they did in 2015 when they upset the Cardinal in the opening week. Of course then they were at home, where they didn’t have to deal with the thunderous roar of the Stanford fan.
Poll
Who wins?
Poll
Who covers?
This poll is closed
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50%
Wildcats (+6)
(88 votes) -
49%
Cardinal (-6.0)
(86 votes)
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UC DAVIS @ CALIFORNIA
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 3:30 PM, PAC-12 Network
2018 RECORD: UC Davis (10-3, 7-1) / California (7-6, 4-5)
HISTORICAL RECORD: N/A
NOTES: The Golden Bears should have one hell of a defense, which would give them one half of a football team. If Beau Baldwin can find any success despite having less talent on paper, Cal will be a scary team in the PAC this year. UC Davis should be the perfecting testing ground for Chase Garbers second year as a starter.
Poll
Who wins?
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#11 OREGON vs #16 AUBURN*
(*Neutral site: AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas)
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 4:30 PM, ABC
2018 RECORD: Oregon (9-4, 5-4) / Auburn (8-5, 3-5)
HISTORICAL RECORD: The Ducks and Tigers have only played one other time... though, I can’t for the life of me remember when.
NOTES: Do I really have to hype you up for this game? War Damn Ducks!
Poll
Who wins?
Poll
Who covers?
This poll is closed
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74%
Ducks (+3.5)
(191 votes) -
25%
Tigers (-3.5)
(64 votes)
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NEW MEXICO STATE @ #23 WASHINGTON STATE
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 7:00 PM, PAC-12 Network
2018 RECORD: New Mexico State (3-9) / Washington State (11-2, 7-2)
HISTORICAL RECORD: This is the first time the Aggies have played the Cougars... well, actually this is the millionth time a team named the Aggies have played a team named the Cougars, but you know what I mean.
NOTES: For awhile it looked like Mike Leach would once again reset with a transfer quarterback, but now that Anthony Gordon has been named the starter, things could be even better off as the learning curve shouldn’t be as daunting with someone who has been in the system for three years. Honestly, not much intrigue going into this one unless you play fantasy or got some money on the line.
Poll
Who wins?
This poll is closed
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2%
New Mexico State
(4 votes) -
97%
Washington State
(195 votes)
Poll
Who covers?
This poll is closed
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61%
Aggies (+31.5)
(102 votes) -
38%
Cougars (-31.5)
(65 votes)
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FRESNO STATE @ USC
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 7:30 PM, ESPN
2018 RECORD: Fresno State (12-2, 7-1) / USC (5-7, 4-5)
HISTORICAL RECORD: Surprisingly, the Bulldogs and Trojans have only played thrice. USC holds the lead thanks to back-to-back wins in 2013 and 2014.
NOTES: USC has the talent to be a PAC-12 champion and the coaching level to lose to Oregon State (well, almost.) Fresno State has lost a lot of their conference champion roster from last year. but Jeff Tedford has proven himself with the Bulldogs and could be the one to crank up the heat on Clay Helton’s seat.
Poll
Who wins?
Poll
Who covers?
This poll is closed
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64%
Bulldogs (+13.5)
(112 votes) -
36%
Trojans (-13.5)
(63 votes)
Comment below with your prediction for this week’s Duck game for your chance to win the coveted RESIDENT GENIUS award.
Include:
- Final score.
- Who you think will win.
- How many passing yards and total touchdowns Herbert will finish with.