The Pac-12 opens its redemption tour with three matchups towards Energy 5 opponents, however one is extra essential than the others.
Utah’s go to to Florida is the sport of the week, month and 12 months for the convention — to a better extent even than Oregon’s duel with Georgia, the defending nationwide champions.
Permit us a second to reengineer the season …
The Pac-12 hasn’t reached the School Soccer Playoff in six years and is determined to return to the game’s grand stage.
On the identical time, no two-loss staff has been invited to the CFP in its eight years of existence. All 32 semifinalists have carried a zero- or one-loss file into the choice committee’s remaining assembly.
By that measure, a loss Saturday would require the Utes and/or Geese to run the desk by means of 9 Pac-12 video games and the convention championship.
That’s extremely unlikely: No staff has gone undefeated in league play for the reason that Pac-12 expanded within the 2011 season.
So for Utah and Oregon, the playoff path seemingly calls for a victory this weekend.
The Utes are going through a weaker opponent than the Geese and, with their veteran roster and training continuity, usually tend to navigate convention play with just one loss.
The staff greatest positioned to supply a playoff-worthy resume can be the staff greatest positioned to win on Saturday.
That makes Utah-Florida an important recreation on the Pac-12 schedule, this week or every other week.
To the picks …
Spreads taken from vegasinsider.com web site utilizing strains listed for BetMGM
For leisure functions solely (or not).
(All occasions Pacific)
*** Not included (FCS opponents): Arizona State, Cal, Stanford and Washington State.
TCU -13.5 at Colorado (Friday)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. on ESPN
Remark: An insulting line for the Buffaloes contemplating that TCU was 5-7 final 12 months and has a brand new coach, Sonny Dykes, who has little regard for protection. However is CU adequate to behave on the insult? Will probably be an extended season in Boulder, however not less than it begins with an upset.
Choose: Colorado +13.5
Bowling Inexperienced +23.5 at UCLA
Kickoff: 11:30 a.m. on Pac-12 Networks
Remark: Search for early vitality from the Bruins and a heavy reliance on the working recreation. (Over/Below on the variety of UCLA cross makes an attempt: 21.) Not for nothing, the on-field temperature must be properly above 100 when the second half begins. The Falcons will wilt.
Choose: UCLA -23.5
Arizona +6.5 at San Diego State
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. on CBS
Remark: The Wildcats opened as a double-digit underdog and would have been a straightforward decide at that quantity. SDSU is opening a brand new stadium, however we marvel if the Aztecs may make the harmful assumption that Arizona is not any higher than the model they throttled final season.
Choose: Arizona +6.5
Oregon +17.5 vs. Georgia (in Atlanta)
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. on ABC
Remark: Oregon’s protection must be probably the greatest within the Pac-12, if not the nation. And coach Dan Lanning is aware of Georgia properly. That mixture will preserve the Geese inside vary of the huge unfold, however the path to outright victory has just a few too many obstacles.
Choose: Oregon +17.5
Rice +33.5 at USC
Kickoff: 3 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks
Remark: For all the joy concerning the Lincoln Riley period, we marvel concerning the attendance with the intense temperatures anticipated. These keen to courageous 105 levels (or extra) will see a stunning begin from the Trojans, adopted by an uneventful second half.
Choose: Rice +33.5
Utah -3 at Florida
Kickoff: 4 p.m. on ESPN
Remark: Notice the beginning time: 7 p.m. in Gainesville — it will likely be humid within the second half however not oppressively so. That mentioned, the Utes could be greatest served by holding a lead coming into the fourth quarter in case legs get heavy and vitality dissipates. Additionally, watch the particular groups, particularly kick protection: Utah can’t afford the forms of breakdowns it suffered final season.
Choose: Utah -3
Kent State +22.5 at Washington
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. on FS1
Remark: If it’s shut at halftime, the house crowd, nonetheless haunted by Montana, will develop anxious. However we count on UW to succeed in a degree of offensive competency it by no means attained final season, with creativity and changes that make all of the distinction within the second half. It received’t shut down the stretch, however that’s an enormous quantity to cowl towards a MAC staff that received seven final season.
Choose: Kent State +22.5
Boise State +2.5 at Oregon State
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
Remark: This easily-overlooked affair may present the most effective end of the weekend. Each groups have returning quarterbacks and veteran lineups. The Broncos aren’t what they was once however stay formidable. Looks like a field-goal recreation. If that's the case, OSU’s Everett Hayes to the rescue.
Choose: Oregon State -2.5
Straight-up winners: TCU, UCLA, Arizona, Georgia, USC, Utah, Washington, Oregon State
5-star particular: Oregon State. We love the Beavers at that quantity (2.5) however could be cautious of giving a half-point extra.
Help the Hotline: Obtain three months of limitless entry for simply 99 cents. Yep, that’s 99 cents for 90 days, with the choice to cancel anytime. Particulars are right here, and thanks on your assist.
*** Ship options, feedback and suggestions (confidentiality assured) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or name 408-920-5716
*** Observe me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline shouldn't be endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Convention, and the views expressed herein don't essentially mirror the views of the Convention.