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We all know that ATQ readers are the most knowledgeable college football 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 PAC-12 action! We’ll also reward the best guest with our RESIDENT GENIUS AWARD.
Last week, ATQ averaged out to 53 percent in our picks and 61 percent against the spread. Do better! Daddy needs a new Nintendo Switch!
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Colorado @ Stanford
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 12:30 PM, ESPN
SEASON RECORD: CU (1-0) / STAN (0-1)
HISTORICAL RECORD: Though this particular series started in 1904 with a 33-0 Stanford win, these two teams have only played 11 games against each other. Colorado has won the last two matchups and could tie the series at six apiece with a win on Saturday.
NOTES: With the help of four first-half UCLA turnovers, Colorado was able to hold on to seal the revenge win for new head coach Karl Dorrell. Meanwhile, Stanford is coming off a loss to the one-and-only Oregon Ducks, though their offense performance did appear to be promising. If it weren’t for four missed field goals and the unfortunate absence of Davis Mills—the QB’s status remains unknown—the Cardinal could have made it a closer game in week one of PAC-12 play.
Will the Buffaloes kickoff an unlikely dream season by starting 2-0? Or can the Cardinal bounce back from its beatdown in Eugene?
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Who wins?
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Who covers?
This poll is closed
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56%
Colorado (+7.5)
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43%
Stanford (-7.5)
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#20 USC @ ARIZONA
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 12:30 PM, FOX
SEASON RECORD: USC (1-0) / UA (0-0)
HISTORICAL RECORD: Historically speaking: the Trojans have pantsed the Wildcats. They currently lead the series 34 to 8 and have won the last seven matchups.
NOTES: The Trojans used a series of unlikely plays to rally back from a 13-point deficit against the Arizona State Sun Devils last week. Kedon Slovis made a couple of spectacular throws but the USC offense seemed to get in its own way for most of the game. Arizona, on the other hand, was forced to sit out a week due to COVID concerns on the Utah Utes’ side and have therefore been gifted an extra week for film study. But will extra time in the film room be able to compensate for an obvious talent disadvantage?
Will Grant Gunnell be able to carry the Wildcats to a win in their delayed season opener? Or will Clay Helton be able to evade the pitchforks for another week?
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Who wins?
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Who covers?
This poll is closed
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63%
USC (-14.5)
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36%
Arizona (+14.5)
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#11 OREGON @ WASHINGTON STATE
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 4:00 PM, FOX
SEASON RECORD: UO (1-0) / WSU (1-0)
HISTORICAL RECORD: The record stands at 50-42-7 in favor of Oregon.
NOTES: Jayden de Laura gained a lot of attention after leading Nick Rolovich’s Cougars to a 38-28 win over Oregon State. The freshman quarterback threw for 227 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, but also looked surprisingly mobile for a Wazzu QB. The new offense turned some heads by racking up 239 rushing yards, so it should be a good test of Oregon’s front seven after a shortened offseason.
Have the Ducks exorcised their early season demons? Will Jayden de Laura become the next Wazzu folk hero?
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Who wins?
This poll is closed
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49%
Oregon
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50%
Washington State
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Who covers?
This poll is closed
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48%
Oregon (-10.5)
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51%
Washington State (+10.5)
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UTAH @ UCLA
(Cancelled due to COVID-19 protocol)
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 7:30 PM, FOX
SEASON RECORD: UU (0-0) / UCLA (0-1)
HISTORICAL RECORD: UCLA has won 11 of the 18 contests between these two teams, though Utah is on a four-game winstreak against the Bruins.
NOTES: The Bruins got off to their typical start under the Chip Kelly era—which is to say they looked terrible in a hard-to-watch loss. Their rally in the second half was slightly encouraging, but after being haunted by their former head coach they now have to face another mountain school. Utah may have lost a lot on defense, but a questionable defense didn’t seem to affect Colorado’s chances at winning last week, so why should we bet against ol’ reliable Kyle Whittingham?
Can Utah cope with the unexpected week off? Or will Chip Kelly’s well-fed Bruins finally show up for a big game?
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Who wins?
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Who covers?
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OREGON STATE @ WASHINGTON
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 8:00 PM, FS1
SEASON RECORD: OSU (0-1) / UW (0-0)
HISTORICAL RECORD: The Huskies have dominated the series 66-34-4 and have won the last eight against the Beavers.
NOTES: washington wasn’t able to play in week one of PAC-12 play, and Oregon State probably wishes they would’ve missed out after losing to Wazzu’s shockingly successful run game.
Will Oregon State bounce back to slay the giants of Seattle? Or will new head coach Jimmy Lake look confident in his debut?
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Who wins?
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Who covers?
This poll is closed
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65%
Oregon State (+14)
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34%
washington (-14)
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CALIFORNIA @ UCLA
TIME/CHANNEL: Sunday, 9:00 AM, FS1
SEASON RECORD: CAL (0-0) / UCLA (0-1)
HISTORICAL RECORD: UCLA leads 54-34-1 in the series vs CAL.
NOTES: After ASU and Utah were forced to cancel their games due to COVID-19 protocol the powers that be decided these two in-state foes should meet instead. Cal fans must be breathing a secret sigh of relief after missing out on two tough conference openers, and hopefully we get to see a mostly-intact Golden Bear team. UCLA, on the other hand, is looking like an underdog no matter who they face.
Can Cal get off on the right foot after another unexpected delay? Or will Chip Kelly’s return to Sunday night football force him to pull his head out of his butt and field a competitive team?
Poll
Who wins?
Comment below with your prediction for this week’s Oregon-Washington State game for your chance to win the coveted RESIDENT GENIUS award.
Include:
- Final score
- Who you think will win
- Tyler Shough’s stat line
Last week’s Resident Genius was...
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Alfred Jodocus Kwak
“Oregon 31:13 Stfnardo
The defense leads the way with a pick-six among three forced turnovers. Young bough Shough ploughs the Tree D by throwing for 248 yards and a TD to go with 40 yards rushing and a TD on the ground. The other Duck TD comes the old fashioned way, with Cy Habibi-Queen Liliuokalani punching it in from a yard out. Verdell cracks 100 yards on the day but does not quite find the end zone (cue Cyrus’ heroics). Wee Cammie Lewis shakes the “Wee” moniker as he boots a 48 yard FG with leg to spare at the end of the first half.”