Pac-12 Football Predictions: Week One

By Vince Senick | Aug 27, 2014

College football is finally back and we can all rejoice and get ready for all of our favorite teams push to the inaugural college football playoffs. A lot of teams are playing some relatively easy games, but some teams are also going to challenge themselves a little bit week one. Here is the week one edition of the Pac-12 football predictions.

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Thursday 8/28

Idaho State @ Utah (4:30 p.m. PT-Pac-12 Network)

Utah could be a sleeper team this season if everyone stays healthy and they will get off to a good start this season. Idaho was not a very good FCS team, so as long as the Utes stay focused they should easily handle the Vandals.

Prediction: Utah 34-10

Rutgers @ Washington State (7:00 p.m. PT-FOX Sports 1)

This should be an exciting game to watch with a lot of points but on the board. Mike Leach and Connor Halliday will be too much for the Scarlet Nights and the Cougs start off on the right foot in Pullman.

Prediction: Washington State 38-35

Weber State @ #19 Arizona State (7:30 p.m. PT-Pac-12 Network)

ASU has too much offense for the Wildcats to stick with them. This should be a blowout and over pretty quick.

Prediction: ASU 38-10

Friday 8/29

Oct 5, 2013; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes mascot Ralphie comes out onto the field before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado State @ Colorado (6:00 p.m. PT-FOX Sports 1)

Nothing like a bitter rivalry to start the season off the right way. This game is good no matter how the talent levels on the two teams are and this year should be no exception. The Buffs enter this season with a lot of experience gained from last season and found some nice players to build around. The home field is the difference in this one, with the Buffs pulling a close one out.

Prediction: Colorado 28-24

UNLV @ Arizona (7:30 p.m. PT- ESPN)

There will be a bunch of new faces lining up on the offensive side of the ball for the Wildcats Friday night, except on the offensive line, where they will dominate the Runnin’ Rebels. The line will provide newly announced QB1, Anu Solomon, and the running back carousel to work things out in this one. The Cats do need to be careful though because UNLV does have some play makers and should be able to score a bunch.

Prediction: Arizona 42-28

Saturday 8/30

#7 UCLA @ Virginia (9:00 a.m. PT-ESPN)

One of only three Pac-12 teams to hit the road on opening weekend and one of three teams to play a power five conference opponent. The 9:00 a.m local start time for UCLA may keep this game close for a half, but the Cavaliers don’t have enough talent or depth to stick with the Bruins.

Prediction: UCLA 31-14

California @ Northwestern (12:30 p.m. PT-ABC/ESPN2)

This is the toughest game of opening weekend to predict. CAL has to better than last year, but neither team is all that good. I am not sure QB Jared Goff will be able to carry the Golden Bears to a road win in this one, but it should be close and I would not be surprised if Cal were to pull this one out.

Prediction: Northwestern 35-31.

Oct 19, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal mascot the Tree (right) and an alumni Tree on the sidelines during the game against the UCLA Bruins at Stanford Stadium. Stanford won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

UC Davis @ #11 Stanford (1:00 p.m. PT-Pac-12 Network)

This is basically going to be a scrimmage for the Cardinal. UC Davis is a below average Big Sky team and will not be able to compete with Stanford. The Cardinal will be able to get all of those new faces some playing time and will open up with an easy win.

Prediction: Stanford 49-14

Portland State @ Oregon State (1:00 p.m. PT-Pac-12 Network)

An underrated Beaver defense paired with a star QB under center poses too much of a challenge for the Vikings. There is no way they will be able to keep up with the Beavers and OSU will not repeat a brutal opening day defeat again this season.

Prediction: Oregon State 49-24

Fresno State @ #15 USC (4:30 p.m. PT- FOX)

USC made easy work of Fresno State to end the season in 2013 and that was with Derek Carr at QB. This year at home, the home opener, and no Carr should be an even easier game.

Prediction: USC 41-14

# 25 Washington @ Hawai’i (7:30 p.m. PT-CBS Sports Network)

The Husky defense is what’s going to stand out the most in this game. They should rough the Rainbow Warriors up and provide the offense with enough of a leash to win this one easily. It should be a nice win to start off the Chris Petersen era in Washington.

Prediction: Washington 42-17

South Dakota @ #3 Oregon (7:30 p.m. PT-Pac-12 Network)

South Dakota has a cool mascot, a coyote, but that wont help them much here. The starters may be out of this one by the half and coaching staff might as well start focusing on Michigan State next week.

Prediction: Oregon 63-7

So there you have it, the Pac-12 should win a lot of games easily this weekend and has a realistic shot of all teams starting the season 1-0. What do you guys think will happen this weekend in the Pac-12? Any huge upsets? All teams win? Let us know in the comments section below. See you guys every Wednesday for the upcoming slate of games predictions.