By the end of this series, my final record predictions for all Pac-12 teams will be revealed. Every Sunday and Thursday a new prediction for the teams’ next games will be announced, leading up to the season.
Let’s start with the season opener for each team. (Aug,28 – Sept, 3 2014)
NOTE: BO= Blowout Game TG= Tight Game If no BO or TG, then the score differential was around 13-21.
Pac-12 Predictions: Week One
North Division:
Oregon vs South Dakota: This one should be an easy blowout for the powerhouse Oregon Ducks. Thomas Tyner and Byron Marshall will have great games, while Marcus Mariota shouldn’t have trouble handling a defense that allowed 42 points against North Dakota State last season. Prediction: Oregon Wins (1-0) BO
Oregon State vs Portland State: This is the fourth time the Oregon State Beavers have opened their season against the Portland State Vikings. They’ve won every single time. Expect the same result. Prediction: Oregon State Wins (1-0) BO
Washington at Hawaii: Even a warm-up game against the Hawaii Warriors should be interesting to watch. The Washington Huskies will be without quarterback Keith Price, who started from 2011-2013, and running back Bishop Sankey, who was the bread and butter for their offense last year. Washington will go through an adjusting period, but they are playing a team who only won one game all last season. Prediction: Washington Wins (1-0) BO
Washington State vs Rutgers; Seattle Game: For the past few years, the Seattle game at CenturyLink Field has been a blowout. That should change this year, with two teams that had identical records in 2013 (6-7). They both have a chip on their shoulder from last season, as they both lost in bowl games. The air raid offense led by returning quarterback Connor Halliday should edge out the Scarlet Knights. Prediction: Washington State Wins (1-0)
California at Northwestern: A lot of fans and experts alike consider this game a warm-up for the Northwestern Wildcats. Expect Jared Goff, Khalfani Muhammad, and Chris Harper from Cal to put on a show. The final score will be closer than what most people expect out of this game, but Northwestern should be able to pull it off in a nail-biter. Prediction: California Loses (0-1) TG
Stanford vs UC Davis: Much like the Oregon game, there isn’t much to say about this one. The Stanford Cardinal will come out and destroy the UC Davis Aggies. Expect the starters for the Cardinal to be out by halftime. Prediction: Stanford Wins (1-0) BO
South Division:
Arizona vs UNLV: The Arizona Wildcats should be able to handle this one easily against the UNLV Rebels. Last season, the Wildcats dismantled the Rebels 58-13. Arizona Wins (1-0) BO
Arizona State vs Weber State: This is one of many warm-up games for teams in the strong Pac-12. The Arizona State Sun Devils are coming off of a year in which they made an appearance in the Pac-12 Championship, and while they have many positions to replace this season, they are still a pretty good team. This game will give them experience as a new unit. ASU Wins (1-0) BO
Colorado at Colorado State: This game between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Colorado State Rams should be interesting. CSU has the bodies, experience, and potential for depth; another season spent chasing short routes, creating lanes over the middle, and allowing big plays downfield is simply unacceptable. Colorado is led by quarterback Sefo Liufau, who threw for 1779 yards, 12 touchdowns with eight interceptions, while completing 59.4 percent of his passes. The Rams will put up a fight with determination, but the Pac-12 team should be able to take this one. Colorado Wins (1-0) TG
Utah vs Idaho State: The Utah Utes are coming off of a disappointing 5-7 season. Their quarterback Travis Wilson must play well for the Utes to have a shot at playing in a bowl game. Kyle Whittingham will attempt to keep his job, and he must show that Utah is going somewhere. Defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake will be counting on his linebackers, most notably Jacoby Hale and Jason Whittingham, to bring a veteran presence to a 4-2-5 defense with questions in the secondary. Being that the Idaho State Bengals are not more than a below-average team, this game should give the Utes a vote of confidence heading into harder games. Utah Wins (1-0) BO
UCLA at Virginia: This game against the Virginia Cavaliers is yet another warm-up in the Pac-12. Brett Hundley should have a monster day while Myles Jack will be chasing down anyone who has the ball. The Cavaliers went 2-10 in a weak ACC last season, while the UCLA Bruins enjoyed going 10-3. UCLA Wins (1-0) BO
USC vs Fresno State: The last time that the Fresno State Bulldogs saw Cody Kessler of the USC Trojans, he was having his way with Fresno’s depleted secondary. These two teams met last year in the Las Vegas Bowl, and it was a blowout, as the Trojans beat the Bulldogs 45-20. The Bulldogs will come into this nationally televised game energized and ready for revenge, but with no Derek Carr, Leonard Williams and Kessler will have their way. USC Wins (1-0)
Wrap-up:
1-0 Teams: Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, Stanford, Arizona, ASU, Colorado, Utah, UCLA, USC
0-1 Teams: California
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