2011 Pac 12 Football Week 1 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 Thursday September 1 – Saturday September 3, 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.
The new and improved Pac-12 Conference gets underway on Thursday with a full weekend of games. Half the teams are facing another FBS school but third-ranked Oregon will be locked in a battle with SEC powerhouse LSU. Let’s take a look at some early season story lines to help make your PAC-12 wagers winners. Listed pointspreads are provided by BetOnline.com.
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Thursday, September 1, 2011
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Montana State at Utah – 8:00 PM ET
The Utah Utes will look to make their debut in the PAC-12 with a win over Montana State. I am guessing it will be very close at the half and then midway through the 3rd quarter Utah’s depth will take over enough for them to pull away with a significant lead by the end.
Prediction: Utah by 14 – Bet Now
Odds: Utah: -28.5 – Montana State: +28.5
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UC Davis at Arizona State – 10:00 PM ET
Arizona State begins the season unranked, but the Sun Devils have all the weapons to change that in a hurry. Meanwhile, UC Davis is beginning its final season in the Great West Conference, where they were picked to finish third in the preseason coaches’ poll. The Aggies simply aren’t in Arizona State’s class and this one will be over early.
Prediction: Arizona State by 30 – Bet Now
Odds: Arizona State: -35.5 – UC Davis: +35.5
Saturday, September 3, 2011
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UCLA at Houston – 3:30 PM ET
Record-setting Case Keenum is back for a sixth year at Houston and will be looking to avenge last year’s loss in Los Angeles. The Bruins will test the Cougars defense with its physical running game, but I expect Keenum to one-up that attack by throwing for over 300 yards and two TDs en route to making the Cougars relevant on a national level again.
Prediction: Houston by 10 – Bet Now
Odds: Houston: -3 – UCLA: +3 – Over/Under: 61
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Minnesota at #25 USC – 3:30 PM ET on ABC
The Trojans defensive improvements and emphasis on speed will be tested by a Golden Gophers offense that will be better than the one that struggled in last year’s loss to USC. However, a first-time starting QB will be no match on the road against a superior opponent. Minnesota’s defense should be decent, but they don’t have enough firepower to keep pace with the Trojans.
Prediction: USC by 13 – Bet Now
Odds: USC: -23 – Minnesota: +23 – Over/Under: 51.5
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Sacramento State at Oregon State – 4:00 PM
The Beavers shouldn’t have any problem in their season opener on Saturday, playing host to cupcake Sacramento State. To grab that title, though, the Beavers will have to show much improvement after turning in a 2010 campaign in which they went 4-5 in the conference, 5-7 overall, and missed out on postseason play. They will no doubt be looking to get off to a solid start.
Prediction: Oregon State by 21 – Bet Now
Odds: Oregon State: -27.5 – Sacramento State: +27.5
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Idaho State at Washington State – 5:00 PM ET
The Cougars’ Paul Wulff will need to increase his win total if he wants to come back for a fifth season while the Bengals will be playing its first game under new coach Mike Kramer. A victory over Idaho State who has suffered through three consecutive one-win campaigns, could just be the morale booster Wulff’s team needs. The Cougs are just 5-32 over the past three seasons, but did show some promise last year .
Prediction: Washington State by 7 – Bet Now
Odds: Washington State: -28 – Idaho State: +28
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San Jose State at #7 Stanford – 5:00 PM ET
It will be the first game in Stanford QB Andrew Luck’s Heisman campaign and it will be at home against the San Jose State Spartans who were picked to finish seventh in the preseason Western Athletic Conference coaches’ poll. The Spartans will have to rely on their defense to keep them in this one, but it probably won’t be enough.
Prediction: Stanford by 20 – Bet Now
Odds: Stanford: -30 – San Jose State: +30 – Over/Under: 53.5
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Fresno State at California – 7:00 PM ET
The Derek Carr era begins at Fresno State a decade after brother David led the Bulldogs to national prominence, while the Golden Bears’ Zach Maynard will make his first start since transferring from Buffalo two seasons ago. Fresno beat Cal 17-3 at home in 2000, and I think this time they get one on the road.
Prediction: Fresno State by 3 – Bet Now
Odds: Fresno State: +9.5 – California: -9.5 – Over/Under: 48.5
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Eastern Washington at Washington – 7:00 PM ET
Sophomore Keith Price will take over for Jake Locker who is off to the NFL, but running back Chris Polk will be who the team leans on in 2011. However, Polk appears likely to miss the Huskies’ opener against Eastern Washington after undergoing knee surgery on Aug. 18. That’s good news for defending Football Championship Subdivision national champions Eastern Washington who will flex some muscles before ultimately falling short of the upset.
Prediction: Washington by 3 – Bet Now
Odds: Washington: -18 – Eastern Washington: +18
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#3 Oregon vs #4 LSU – 8:00 PM ET on ABC
The Tigers will be without quarterback Jordan Jefferson who was suspended indefinitely after being arrested following a recent altercation outside a bar, while the Oregon will be without star cornerback Cliff Harris, who was suspended indefinitely because of an off-season speeding incident. Two key players for both sides. Still the Ducks will use their offensive firepower to overwhelm LSU’s defense.
Prediction: Oregon by 17 – Bet Now
Odds: Oregon : -4 – LSU: +4 – Over/Under: 55
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Northern Arizona at Arizona – 10:00 PM ET
The Wildcats Mike Stoops is on the hot seat after a disappointing 7-6 record in 2010, and things may have gotten a little warmer as he has just 10 returning starters on the roster. However, one of those is senior quarterback Nick Foles, who’s among the country’s best signal callers but will be behind a newly rebuilt offensive line with five fresh starters. Still, the Lumberjacks haven’t had much luck against the Wildcats (1-10 All-Time) who will take advantage of this lesser opponent.
Prediction: Arizona by 21 – Bet Now
Odds: Arizona: -27.5 – Northern Arizona: +27.5
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Colorado at Hawaii – 10:15 PM ET
Colorado is looking for its first winning season since 2005, and will make its PAC-12 debut against a pass-happy Hawaii. The Buffaloes finished 110th among 120 FBS schools in passing yards allowed in 2010, and that was before losing two players in their secondary to this year’s NFL draft. While the Buffaloes probably won’t stop the Warriors passing attack, they will be able to control the clock with their ground game, which should keep Hawaii’s offense off the field en route to one of the biggest upsets of the opening weekend.
Prediction: Colorado by 6 – Bet Now
Odds: Colorado: +7 – Hawaii: -7 – Over/Under: 54.5
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