The Pac-12 College Pick Preview includes all the Pac College Football teams for 2018. The Pac 12 has got a lot of talent returning, but the big question is if the conference can get a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff. Washington was spectacular once again last year, but the Huskies went to the Fiesta Bowl where they lost to Penn State. Washington should be in the mix once again and could be joined by Stanford and maybe defending Pac-12 champion USC. College football is a little bit better when the Trojans are relevant.
This article will take a look at every team in the conference and see if we agree with the assessment given by the South Point Casino in Las Vegas. Sportsbooks are a lot sharper with the bigger conferences so some of their numbers will be right on the money. We start off with our first college pick preview on the Cal Bears.
College Pick Pac-12 North Division
California Golden Bears
College Pick Odds
Over 6 wins -130…Under 6 wins +110
Non-Conference Games: North Carolina, at BYU, Idaho State
This offense could be a lot of fun to watch as Beau Baldwin has 10 starters back. Four of the team’s top six receivers return although Demetris Robertson is transferring to Georgia. The questions come on defense where head coach Justin Wilcox needs better production. The unit returns eight starters so things should improve. Last year, the Golden Bears started out 3-0 before things fell off. There’s a chance to do so once again. They play at USC while hosting Washington in-conference.
College Pick: Six is a really good number. To me, the deciding games are Washington and Stanford at home. Depending on how you think those go, then you’ll pick over or under.
Oregon Ducks
College Pick Odds
Over 8.5 wins -120…Under 8.5 wins EVEN
Non-Conference Games: Bowling Green, Portland State, San Jose State
There’s a lot of optimism surrounding the program with new head coach Mario Cristobal taking over. The Ducks have solid quarterback play coming along with a deep group of receivers. Coordinator Jim Leavitt has done very good work with the defense, which returns seven starters. Oregon is trying to return to its high-scoring days. The Ducks can start really fast with four straight at home, but the closing stretch features four road games over six weeks.
College Pick: Solid number here as I come up with eight or nine wins for the Ducks.
Oregon State Beavers
College Pick Odds
Over 2.5 wins +110…Under 2.5 wins -130
Non-Conference Games: at Ohio State, Southern Utah, at Nevada
It pretty much only goes up from here for the Beavers who won just one game last year. In steps Jonathan Smith as head coach. He was a quarterback for Oregon State in the late 1990s. The offense is underwhelming in terms of talent and experience, but the offensive line is almost intact. The defense returns just five starters after struggling in 2017. The team has six road games and hosts USC and Oregon.
College Pick: I’ve got the under but the narrowest of margins. I don’t recommend it though because of the price and the fact that it’s not a slam dunk.
Stanford Cardinal
College Pick Odds
Over 8 wins -125…Under 8 wins +105
Non-Conference Games: San Diego State, UC Davis, at Notre Dame
Bryce Love is going to try to follow up a Heisman Trophy runner-up season by getting back to New York City 2018. He’s got one of the nation’s top offensive lines to work with and an underrated QB-WR combo in K.J. Costello and JJ Arcega-Whiteside. The questions come on the defensive side of the ball where five starters need to be replaced. The schedule opens up with three straight at home followed by two tough road trips. The Cardinal have three of their final four on the road so it’ll be interesting to see how this team navigates that.
College Pick: Eight is a pretty strong number so no play here. You can probably make a case for the under if you think Stanford struggles on the road against the likes of Oregon, Notre Dame, Washington or UCLA.
Washington Huskies
College Pick Odds
ver 10.5 wins +115…Under 10.5 wins -135
Non-Conference Games: vs. Auburn, North Dakota, BYU
The Huskies have taken a step up in competition out-of-conference by playing Auburn in Atlanta. The past few years, they’ve dined on cupcakes and that’s hurt them a bit when it came to playoff consideration. The question is if they are ready for a week one contest with an SEC foe. The offense is going to be spectacular with the likes of Jake Browning, Myles Gaskin and Chico McClatcher all returning. The defense lost defensive tackle Vita Vea, but returns nine starters and should be fun to watch.
College Pick: The money move is probably right here with the under. Trips to Utah, UCLA and Oregon are all potential banana peel games besides week one against the Tigers.
Washington State Cougars
College Pick Odds
Over 6.5 wins -105…Under 6.5 wins -115
Non-Conference Games: at Wyoming, San Jose State, Eastern Washington
It’s been a tough offseason for the program following the tragic passing of expected starting quarterback Tyler Hilinski. Gardner Minshew transferred from East Carolina and could seize the starting job in fall camp. We know that Mike Leach is going to throw the ball a ton and his receivers are a little green. The group has varying amounts of experience, but won’t be as good as last year. The defense was pretty good last year, but lost its best player. The Cougars will take a step back as this is the conference’s least experienced team. Leach will have to work some magic.
College Pick: This is a really tough schedule with Oregon and Washington coming to Pullman. I think six wins is about right so probably no play here.
Pac-12 South Division
Arizona Wildcats
College Pick Odds
Over 8 wins -115…Under 8 wins -105
Non-Conference Games: BYU, at Houston, Southern Utah
Quarterback Khalil Tate was incredible last year after being used sparingly in his freshman season. Tate’s legs helped him rush for more than 1,400 yards while also putting up nearly 1,600 through the air. The question is how new head coach Kevin Sumlin and his staff will use the signal-caller. Plenty of skill position players return, but the offensive line will need some re-tooling. Improvement will be needed on defense where nine starters are back. The unit gave up more than 34 points per game. Three of the Wildcats’ final four games are at home so down the stretch they could be playing for the division or a potential marquee bowl berth.
College Pick: The over is my favorite play in this conference. I think Arizona can easily get 9 or 10 wins.
Arizona State Sun Devils
College Pick Odds
Over 4.5 wins -130…Under 4.5 wins +110
Non-Conference Games: UTSA, Michigan State, at San Diego State
This is going to be one of the most fascinating teams in the country as Herm Edwards returns to coaching. Edwards made some headlines off the field involving not knowing the team’s mascot at first as well as comments he made about recruiting. Quarterback Manny Wilkins and wide receiver N’Keal Harry are a good place to start on offense. The defense could be an absolute mess with just four returning starters. We’ll see how the Sun Devils take to the new 3-3-5 formation that coordinator Danny Gonzales is installing. Getting Michigan State at home will be interesting, but probably a pretty big loss.
College Pick: The under is probably worth a look at this price. I think 3-4 wins are a very realistic finish to the season.
Colorado Buffaloes
Over 4.5 wins -120…Under 4.5 wins EVEN
Non-Conference Games: vs. Colorado State, at Nebraska, New Hampshire
Steven Montez was pretty solid last year under center for the Buffs. The athletic quarterback had 18 touchdowns to just nine interceptions. Travon McMillan comes over from Virginia Tech to be the primary running back while the team works on finding reliable targets from an inexperienced group of wide receivers. Colorado started off 3-0 last year, but finished with just two wins the rest of the way. The Buffaloes play two teams in-conference off of their bye week. Colorado also closes with three of its final five games at home.
College Pick The over is worth a look here with Arizona State and Oregon State both coming to Boulder.
UCLA Bruins
Over 5 wins -120…Under 5 wins EVEN
Non-Conference Games: Cincinnati, at Oklahoma, Fresno State
Chip Kelly is back in the conference so the Bruins’ offense should be fun to watch. With Josh Rosen leaving, there is a gaping hole at quarterback. Wilton Speight has transferred from Michigan, but it’s no guarantee he’s the best fit for Kelly’s offense. Bolu Olorunfunmi and Soso Jamabo are going to be busy in the backfield. The defense brings back six starters and with better health, should be a solid unit. The Bruins get Washington, USC and Stanford at home, but have one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the Pac-12, highlighted by the trip to Norman to face Oklahoma.
College Pick: I come up with five wins for the Bruins. They have a lot of tough home games so this number could go up or down depending on how well you think they defend the Rose Bowl.
USC Trojans
Over 8.5 wins -115…Under 8.5 wins -105
Non-Conference Games: UNLV, at Texas, Notre Dame
Sam Darnold is not walking through those doors, but JT Daniels could win over the fans if he starts at quarterback. The freshman is a highly touted recruit who has the measurements and the talent to make things go. The offense will miss running back Ronald Jones II, but there’s plenty of backfield depth to work with. The offensive line will be fantastic too. Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast has some work to do with a unit that has four returning starters. The secondary is going to be one of the best in the country though. No Washington on the schedule and tough road trips to Stanford and Arizona come in the first month.
College Pick: 8-9 wins seems about right so no play here. USC has a tough opening month with back-to-back road games at Stanford and Texas.
Utah Utes
Over 7 wins -120…Under 7 wins EVEN
Non-Conference Games: Weber State, at Northern Illinois, BYU
The offense is going to be very strong with seven starters back and a solid group of running backs. The Utes should find plenty of success thanks in part to a solid offensive line. Utah’s defense has to replace some talent up front, but the secondary should remain strong even without Casey Hughes, who transferred to Michigan. Kyle Whittingham is one of the best head coaches in the conference. Utah’s conference slate has Washington, Arizona and USC all coming to Salt Lake City.
College Pick: This team has a lot of potential so I see seven wins or more for the Utes. I like the over, but it’s not one of my favorite plays in the conference.