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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, the ATQ conglomerate chose the winner of the contest 51 percent of the time, and nearly replicated that success with their picks against the spread, 48 percent correct. Time to go all in! Clearing out my savings account! Also, if this doesn’t work out, can I crash on your couch for awhile?
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OREGON @ No. 13 USC
TIME/CHANNEL: Friday, 5:00 PM, FOX
SEASON RECORD: UO (3-2) / USC (5-0)
HISTORICAL RECORD: The Trojans hold a 38-21-2 series lead over the Ducks.
NOTES: The Trojans are 5-0, but looked pretty shaky getting there. Kedon Slovis continues his quest to save Clay Helton’s job by orchestrating game-winning drives in three of his 2020 contests so far, though the star quarterback has been hindered by an overly-cautious offense and wobbly throws. The Ducks may have fallen ass-backwards into this “PAC-12 Championship game”, but they also have the talent to finally break USC’s winstreak - just like they did against Utah last season.
Can the Ducks end this bizarre 2020 season with a second consecutive PAC-12 championship? Or will the Trojans wrap up PAC-12 play undefeated?
Poll
Who wins?
Poll
Who covers?
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WASHINGTON STATE @ UTAH
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 10:30 AM, FS1
SEASON RECORD: WSU (1-2) / UU (2-2)
HISTORICAL RECORD: The Utes could tie the series with a win at home this Saturday. Wazzu currently has a 9-8 lead.
NOTES: Wazzu has had an especially rough 2020, and is looking to play their fourth game of the season and end with a .500 record. Meanwhile, the Utes are trending upwards, and look much like their older selves after victories over Oregon State and Colorado. Jayden De Laura looked like less than half the QB he was against the Ducks when he played USC, but perhaps he can rebound and make this a game.
Will the Cougs have a one-win season? Or will the Utes turn Kyle Whittingham’s face into a giant, angry, red tomato?
Poll
Who wins?
Poll
Who covers?
This poll is closed
-
59%
Washington State (+10.5)
(28 votes) -
40%
Utah (-10.5)
(19 votes)
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STANFORD @ UCLA
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 4:00 PM, ESPN
SEASON RECORD: STAN (3-2) / UCLA (3-3)
HISTORICAL RECORD: The Bruins lead the series 46-42-3 and broke the Cardinal’s 11-game winstreak last season with a 34-16 victory on the Farm.
NOTES: The 2020 Bruins may be Chip Kelly’s best UCLA team yet, which is a bit of an indictment of Kelly’s time in LA. A heart-breaking, last-second loss to USC is a hard result to stomach, but if Dorian Thompson-Robinson and company can rebound with a victory over another California rival than the team will have a winning regular season for the first time since 2015, when they finished 8-4 before a loss to Nebraska in the Foster Farms Bowl.
Stanford also appears to be an improving squad, despite being led by the immovable David Shaw. A 4-2 season would be pretty impressive for a Cardinal program that had seemingly lost their way.
Will the Bruins add to their momentum by beating Stanford? Or will the viewers at home once again be forced to witness the chilling smirk of David Shaw?
Poll
Who wins?
Poll
Who covers?
This poll is closed
-
37%
Stanford (+6.5)
(18 votes) -
62%
UCLA (-6.5)
(30 votes)
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ARIZONA STATE @ OREGON STATE
TIME/CHANNEL: Saturday, 7:30 PM, ESPN
SEASON RECORD: ASU (1-2) / OSU (2-4)
HISTORICAL RECORD: The Sun Devils have dominated the series, 29-14-1.
NOTES: Losing Tristan Gebbia was a tough moment for the Beavers, but Chance Nolan’s near victory against Stanford assured fans of OSU that not all is lost. Still, they’ll need to bring their A-game if they want to take down an ASU team that just humiliated their rival to the point that Kevin Sumlin became an unemployed millionaire.
Will the Chance pay off? Or can Herm snatch another victory in 2020?
Poll
Who wins?
This poll is closed
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51%
Arizona State
(29 votes) -
48%
Oregon State
(27 votes)
Poll
Who covers?
This poll is closed
-
40%
Arizona State (-7)
(18 votes) -
59%
Oregon State (+7)
(26 votes)
Comment below with your prediction for this week’s PAC-12 Championship 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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YetAnotherDuckFan
Nothing really matters