Second go-round for our weekly pick-em's. Three misfires in Week One - Oregon, Oregon State, and Fresno State (over Cal), but 9-3 out of the gate is as good as one could hope for an opening weekend. Before unveiling the picks for Week Two, a recap of the season opening slate.
Thursday, September 1
Utah 27 - Montana State 10 (Pick:Utah 34-7 )
The first Pac-12 win for the Utes and a winning debut for UCLA refuge Norm Chow. Quarterback Jordyn Wynn returns from off-season surgery with a solid effort. John White rushed for 150 yards in his collegiate debut.
Arizona State 48 - UC Davis 14 (Pick:ASU 55-10)
Former Duck Aaron Plugrad nabbed two touchdown passes, both from Brock Qsweiler, the Sun Devils answer this year at quarterback. Erickson hasn't had a great one since he landed in Tempe and Osweiler probably isn't going to change that trend. But with Osweiler he may have one that is good enough to win the South.
Saturday, September 3
Houston 38 - UCLA 34 (Pick:Houston 28.14)
Westwood - the new Pullman. When is this team going to find its way out of the fog? Quarterback play is a revolving door disaster, suspensions and injuries swarm the program like a plague, and four or five wins would be progress.
USC 19 - Minnesota 17 (Pick: USC 42-17)
The Trojans built a 19-3 advantage in the opening half, then held on for the two point win at home. Receiver Robert Woods and quarterback Matt Barkley hooked up for 17 receptions.
Sacramento State 29 - Oregon State 28 (OT) (Pick: OSU 32-13)
Benny, Benny, Benny. this is just not good. There No way to explain this away, it's a bomb crater. James Rogers is still out, there is now a dual-quarterback rotation in place and Wisconsin is next. Somehow reaching bowl eligibility is going to be hard, hard slog for this group.
Washington State 64 - Idaho State 21 (Pick:WSU 37-10)
Quarterback Jeff Tuel is lost with a broken clavicle but Marshal Lobbestael led the Cougs to a 40-0 halftime lead. It was the 11th straight loss for Idaho State.
Stanford 57 - San Jose State 3 (Pick: Stanford 55-10)
The Andrew Luck Heisman campaign couldn't have gotten off to a better start. Luck completed 17 of 26, two for touchdowns and ran for a third, and the Trees shellacked San Jose State by 54...
Washington 30 - Eastern Washington 27 (Pick:Washington 31-21)
Can you imagine the Pac-12 fall-out if the Huskies had pulled a Benny against Eastern Washington? Now both Sacramento State and Eastern Washington are decent FBS teams, but come on.
LSU 40 - Oregon 27 (Pick: Oregon 37-21)
Too many turnovers were the chief culprit but there is no getting around the LSU defensive front was a handful. A more effective passing game would have helped but Darron Thomas and his receivers were a half-step apart all night.
Arizona 41 - Northern Arizona 10 (Pick: Arizona 36-17)
A rout from the word go. Wildcat quarterback Nic Foles tossed five touchdown passes and 412 yards. A 14-10 game at the break, Arizona put 20 on the board in the 3rd quarter to end the suspense.
Hawaii 34 - Colorado 17 (Pick: Hawaii 37-14)
The Buffs gained only 17 yards rushing and went 2-12 on third downs to ruin Jon Embree's debut as the Colorado head coach.
California 36 - Fresno State 21 (Pick: Fresno State 28-24)
Cal quarterback Zach Maynard threw for 266 yards to lead the Bears to the victory. Fresno State took an early 7-0 lead, then Maynard sprung for 19 first quarter points to take control. Just over 31,000 - most of them Bulldog fans - showed up at Candlestick Park for the neutral site game.
Thursday, Sept 8
Arizona @ Oklahoma State
The Cowboys in Stillwater will go a long way to define Mike Stoops' 2011 team. With a win the Wildcats are probably a factor in the Southern Division. But Arizona has frequently tripped over themselves for half a season after losing such a game. More the latter than the former. Okie State is solid. Cowboys 31 - Arizona 21
Friday, September 9
Missouri @ Arizona State
Another defining game. And as with Arizona, the Sun Devils have frequently greased their own skids with a loss such as this. And Sun Devil Stadium may be the least advantageous home field in the county. Still, the pick is with ASU - the Pac-12 is better than was evidenced in Week 1 and this is one of the games that can prove the point.
Saturday, September 10
Oregon State @ Wisconsin
The Pac-12 isn't that good, however. This one's not for the little Beavers - adults only.
Wisconsin by 30, 42-12.
California @ Colorado
A non-conference Pac-12 game. Cal won big last year and wins big again this year. 44-21
Hawaii @ Washington
The Rainbow Warriors are a better football team than Eastern Washington, so the Huskies are on a short leash here. If they aren't able to get Chris Polk untracked this could quickly go the visitor's way, Hawaii can score in bunches. But after last week's squeaker, Washington takes a step forward with a 27-21 win.
Stanford @ Duke
Brainiac Bowl goes to the Trees - big.. 55-17
Nevada @ Oregon
The Ducks are somewhat disadvantaged in that Nevada didn't play last week so there is no current film to breakdown. Nevada is somewhat disadvantaged in that they didn't play last week AND they will be breaking in a new starting quarterback on the road . in Autzne. Not a prescription for success, but a closer game than many might expect - Oregon 29 - Nevada 17.
UNLV @ Washington State
The Runnin' Rebels got run right out of Madison last week and while Wazzon won't score 51, they will score more than UNLV. Cougs 28-18
Utah @ USC
First ever Pac-12 conference game goes to.. USC. Welcome to the big city, Utah. This isn't the most talented USC team in history but if that legacy means anything, they won't allow the Utes leave the Coliseum with anything less than a 31-14 setback.
San Jose State @ UCLA
If there is a team on their schedule UCLA could beat, it's San Jose State. Barely. UCLA 27-21.
