Pac-12 Week 1 Picks
Updated: Aug 31, 2019
We are invincible.
Bryant: Season to date (0-0) Straight Up (0-0) Against the Spread
Rob: Season to date (0-1) Straight Up (0-1)* Against the Spread
Thursday August, 29th
#50 UCLA (0-0) at #33 Cincinnati (0-0)
4:00pm PT, ESPN
Line: Cincinnati -2.5
Beta_Rank Win Prob: Cincinnati 68%
Beta_Rank Line: Cincinnati -5.28 (DO NOT GAMBLE)
Rob: I actually have to get on the road to make it to this game, so this is going to be short and sweet. I like Cincy in this game. I think the program is more cohesive, I have fewer questions on offense and defense; especially on the lines, and they are at home.
Cincinnati 31 UCLA 24
Bryant: To be added (it's a weird week and mostly on Rob)
#118 Kent State (0-0) at #44 Arizona State (0-0)
7:00pm PT, Pac-12 Network
Line: ASU -25
Beta_Rank Win Prob: ASU 92%
Beta_Rank Line: ASU -18.24 (DO NOT GAMBLE)
Rob: I like ASU a lot in this game and I think they will definitely win by three possessions, but 4 possessions seems like a bit too far; especially with the Herm slow it down game plan.
ASU 45 Kent State 24
Bryant: To be added (it's a weird week and mostly on Rob)
#22 Utah (0-0) at #74 BYU (0-0)
7:15pm PT, ESPN
Line: Utah -6
Beta_Rank Win Prob: Utah 85%
Beta_Rank Line: Utah -13.49 (DO NOT GAMBLE)
Rob: I think BYU will be better than the projection model has them and this is a rivalry game, but Utah should be able to more directly impose themselves in this game on the offensive side of the football than the last time these two teams met. I still have little faith in the Cougs being able to put up points against the Utah defense.
Utah 31 BYU 20
Bryant: To be added (it's a weird week and mostly on Rob)
Friday August, 30th
#110 Colorado State (0-0) vs #57 Colorado (0-0)
7:00pm PT, ESPN
Line: Colorado -13.5
Beta_Rank Win Prob: Colorado 84%
Beta_Rank Line: Colorado -12.96 (DO NOT GAMBLE)
Rob: It's a darn tie between the line and the model projection for this game. I like the Buffs to win this game pretty handily. They have the chance to have some upside this season with upgrades at both coordinator spots; though I am not in love with the Johnson hire long term. Colorado State just has too many problems still for me to buy in on them covering.
Colorado 34 CSU 17
Bryant: To be added (it's a weird week and mostly on Rob)
#31 Oklahoma State (0-0) vs #114 Oregon State (0-0)
7:15pm PT, FS1
Line: Oklahoma State -14.0
Beta_Rank Win Prob: Oklahoma State 90%
Beta_Rank Line: Oklahoma State -18.18 (DO NOT GAMBLE)
Rob: I am in on the Beavers surprising some people this season and I like where their offense is headed, but I am not sold on their defense being able to slow down the Cowboys. I think they are still a year away from having the pieces to have some big defensive improvement and I think the long field starts to tell on their offense in this game.
Oklahoma State 44 Oregon State 27
Bryant: To be added (it's a weird week and mostly on Rob)
Saturday August, 31th
#35 Northwestern (0-0) at #38 Stanford (0-0)
1:00pm PT, Fox
Line: Stanford -6.5
Beta_Rank Win Prob: Northwestern/Stanford 50%
Beta_Rank Line: Northwestern/Stanford Pick 'Em (DO NOT GAMBLE)
Rob: Tough game of strength on strength with the Stanford offense against the Northwestern defense. I like the Cardinal to win, but nor cover.
Stanford 24 Northwestern 20
Bryant: To be added (it's a weird week and mostly on Rob)
#17 Oregon (0-0) vs #6 Auburn (0-0)
4:30pm PT, ABC
Line: Auburn -4
Beta_Rank Win Prob: Auburn 66%
Beta_Rank Line: Auburn -5.41 (DO NOT GAMBLE)
Rob: I like the Tigers overall talent level in this game, but they are not some crazy favorite. If Oregon finishes -1+ on turnovers they should win it.
Auburn 27 Oregon 20
Bryant: To be added (it's a weird week and mostly on Rob)
#120 NMSU (0-0) at #36 Washington State (0-0)
7:00pm PT, Pac-12 Network
Line: WSU -32
Beta_Rank Win Prob: WSU 93%
Beta_Rank Line: WSU -19.47 (DO NOT GAMBLE)
Rob: Washington State wins, but doesn't cover.
WSU 48 NMSU 20
Bryant: To be added (it's a weird week and mostly on Rob)
#89 Fresno State (0-0) at #23 USC (0-0)
7:30pm PT, ESPN
Line: USC -14
Beta_Rank Win Prob: USC 91%
Beta_Rank Line: USC -17.78 (DO NOT GAMBLE)
Rob: The modified projection model has this at -10 and I am going with that.
USC 31 Fresno 20
Bryant: To be added (it's a weird week and mostly on Rob)