2011 Pac 12 Football Week 3 Preview, Predictions, Odds & Picks
We are providing Pac 12 Football weekly matchup previews, predictions and odds for all Pac 12 football teams for the games Saturday September 17, 2011. And to gain a betting edge check our out NCAA Football Handicappers as they offer their free and expert pick. Use our comprehensive and insider information to bet successfully on College Football with our recommend sportsbooks.
Oregon State gets a much needed bye this week while Stanford goes to Arizona for an early conference matchup. Utah travels to BYU for the “Holy War,” on ESPN, as Texas will be looking for revenge in Pasadena against the struggling Bruins team who torched them one year ago. There are a lot of headlines in the making in the PAC 12 this week, so let’s get started. Listed pointspreads are provided by BetOnline.com.
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Saturday, September 17, 2011
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Colorado State vs Colorado – 1:30 PM ET
Last season Colorado nearly shut out in-state rival Colorado State, 24-3 at INVESCO Field in the Cinch Jeans Rocky Mountain Showdown. That win gave the Buffaloes an all-time series lead of 60-20-2 including a 6-4 advantage in Denver. The Buffaloes thoroughly dominated in their game against Northern Colorado last weekend, but now must face a Rams team that is 2-0 on the year behind an improved running game led by Raymond Carter.
Prediction: Colorado 24, Colorado State 10 – Bet Now
Odds: Colorado: -7.5 – Colorado State: +7.5 – Over/Under: 50.5
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#24 Texas @ UCLA – 3:30 PM ET on ABC
Texas escaped with a 17-16 win over BYU last Saturday to improve to 2-0 on the season, while UCLA bounced back from a 38-34 loss at Houston on Sept. 3 with a 27-17 win over San Jose State. Texas will be looking to avenge its loss to the Bruins last year in Pasadena, but will need a better effort from QB Garrett Gilbert who went 2 of 8 for eight yards while throwing two interceptions against the Cougars. Texas wins with depth and D.
Prediction: Texas 27, UCLA 24 – Bet Now
Odds: Texas: -3.5 – UCLA: +3.5 – Over/Under: 44
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Missouri State @ #12 Oregon – 3:30 PM
Oregon found its wheels in its home opener, routing Nevada 69-20 after being embarrassed in Week 1 by LSU. QB Darron Thomas led the charge while matching a school record with six TD passes in the win. As for Missouri State who was selected to finish last in the Missouri Valley Conference, this will be their second game against an FBS opponent after losing their season opener, 51-7 at then-No. 15 Arkansas. Of course, that was without QB Trevor Wooden who returned from suspension to throw 262 yards and two TDs in their 28-24 loss to Eastern Kentucky last weekend. It will be tough for the Ducks to stay under 60 points in this one.
Prediction: Oregon 59, Missouri State 6 – Bet Now
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Washington @ #10 Nebraska – 3:30 PM ET on ABC
The Huskers will be tested by a Washington team that has started the season 2-0 and are playing better than most had expected after losing QB Jake Locker to the NFL over the summer. Meanwhile, Nebraska fans can’t be feeling all that comfortable after the team struggled to find rhythm offensively in a season-opening 40-7 win over FCS member Chattanooga. Defense is an issue too, as Fresno State generated 444 yards last week against Nebraska. This meeting could set the tone for the rest of the Cornhuskers’ 2011 season, but they will need to correct their errors against a Huskies team looking to avenge last season’s rout in Seattle.
Prediction: Nebraska 35, Washington 24 – Bet Now
Odds: Nebraska: -16.5 – Washington: +16.5 – Over/Under: 54.5
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#8 Nebraska @ Washington – 3:30 PM ET on ABC
The Battle in Seattle will pit quarterback Jake Locker against a the ball hawks of the Big Red secondary who has had at least three interceptions in four of its past seven games. The UW defense is weak, but Nebraska offensive threat is far from menacing. Up next: Bye.
Prediction: Washington – Bet Now
Odds: Nebraska: -16.5 – Washington: +16.5 – Over/Under: 54.5
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Presbyterian @ California – 5:30 PM ET
The California Bears host the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Presbyterian Blue Hose. The only thing I see in this one is Tedford using this game to rest his starters, and give the young guys, especially on defense, some playing time. Even if it is against an FCS team, Cal will have some chances to work out some kinks in their game, like the running game for instance.
Prediction: California 31, Presbyterian 3 – Bet Now
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Washington State @ San Diego State – 6:30 PM ET
The Cougars are the biggest surprise in the PAC 12 this year, jumping out to its first 2-0 start in …well…. a really long time. However, I think SDSU is the first “real” team they will face this season. San Diego State quarterback Ryan Lindley is, without a doubt, a better NFL prospect than Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel, and I think that will be proven in San Diego this weekend. The Aztecs are slightly better than the Cougars in many aspects of the game, but Washington State is improving.
Prediction: San Diego State 27, Washington State 25 – Bet Now
Odds: San Diego State: +5.5 – Washington State: +5.5 – Over/Under: 57.5
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#22 Arizona State @ Illinois – 7:00 PM ET
The Fighting Illini and the Sun Devils meet for the first time since 1988 on Saturday night in Champaign. Illinois and Arizona State have both opened with two victories. The Devils are coming off a nail biter in last Friday’s 37-30 overtime victory over then-No. 21 Missouri, while it’s harder to measure Illinois’ progress following wins over Arkansas State South Dakota State. However, Illinois lost to Minnesota last year at home and to Missouri, Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan, and even Fresno State. The Sun Devils win a big game on the road here.
Prediction: Arizona State 35, Illinois 17 – Bet Now
Odds: Arizona State: +1.5 – Illinois: -1.5 – Over/Under: 59.5
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Syracuse @ USC – 8:00 PM ET
Syracuse lost four starters on offense and a total of six on defense. However, QB Ryan Nassib returns and is capable of leading the Orange to their fair share of wins in 2011. Meanwhile, USC has had two close games that should have been blowouts, and the Orange has had more than its share of big wins over national powerhouses. Syracuse should be able to give the Trojans a great game despite their inexperienced defense and new coaching staff. Making this one closer than most are anticipating.
Prediction: USC 26, Syracuse 17 – Bet Now
Odds: USC: -16.5 – Syracuse: +16.5 – Over/Under: 47
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Utah @ Brigham Young – 9:15 PM ET on ESPN2
Both teams are 1-1 to start the year, and this year’s “Holy War” is shaping up to be a repeat of last year’s epic battle when a young BYU team lost by one point at Utah. BYU quarterback Jake Heaps should be just a bit better than the Utes’ Jordan Wynn, and playing in Provo gives the Cougars the edge as the home team has won the last four games in this rivalry.
Prediction: BYU 28, Utah 21 – Bet Now
Odds: BYU: -4 – Utah: +4 – Over/Under: 46.5
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#6 Stanford @ Arizona – 10:45 PM ET on ESPN
While the Arizona Wildcats struggle to find their running game, Stanford is poised for a repeat of last year’s meeting when they blew out Arizona at home 42-17. The Cardinal have outscored their oppenents in their first two contests, 101-17, and have been able to compliment Heisman Trophy candidate Andrew Luck with an improved rushing attack. There will be plenty of offense in this game as both Luck and ‘Cats QB Nick Foles will throw for over 300 yards apiece.
Prediction: Stanford 39, Arizona 31 – Bet Now
Odds: Stanford: -9.5 – Arizona: +9.5 – Over/Under: 54
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