Pac-12 Betting Guide: Week 9

After UCLA shocked Stanford on the Farm last Thursday, yours truly rallied to go 4-2 in Week 8, bringing my overall record to 31-20-1. In case you’re wondering, the 31-wins ATS through Week 8 match my win total for all of 2018.

Week 9 kicks off tonight, with the Buffaloes trying to pull a program first, beat USC. Here are my selections, and as always, tread lightly.

Overall Record (ATS): 31-20-1

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25

USC (4-3, 3-1 Pac-12) vs. Colorado (3-4, 1-3 Pac-12)

Time, Network: 7:00pm MT, ESPN2

Spread: USC -11 ½ (o/u 64)

After being outscored 86-13 their last two contests, the Buffaloes return to Folsom to host a USC program they have NEVER beaten (0-13 all-time vs. USC). The good news for Colorado? USC is 0-3 on the road this season. It shouldn’t matter however. Expect Kedon Slovis and his bevy of talented wideouts to light up the Buffaloes secondary. For the first time in 2019, this scribe is picking against the Buffs. Take the Trojans tonight giving eleven and a half points on the road. Sorry Buffs fans!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26

Arizona (4-3, 2-2 Pac-12) vs. Stanford (3-4, 2-3 Pac-12)

Time, Network: 1:30pm MT, Pac-12 Networks

Spread: Stanford -1 ½ (o/u 53 ½) – per ESPN.com

Both the Wildcats and Cardinal are coming off tough losses. Stanford should have signal caller K.J. Costello back for this contest, however it’s the Cardinal defense that concerns me. In their 34-16 home loss to UCLA last week, Stanford surrendereda total of 263 rushing yards to Joshua Kelley and company. That said, Arizona’s Khalil Tate and J.J. Taylor must be licking their chops. I’m rolling with the Wildcats in this contest.

No. 24 Arizona State (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12) vs. UCLA (2-5, 2-2 Pac-12)

Time, Network: 5:30pm MT, Pac-12 Networks

Spread: Arizona State -3 (o/u 55)

After dropping their first three games of 2019, Chip Kelly’s Bruins have won two of their last four and are surprisingly still in the hunt in the Pac-12 South. However, UCLA is 0-3 at home this season, a trend that could very well continue when they host 24th-ranked Arizona State. Arizona State’s offense could only muster 136 total yards in their 21-3 loss at Utah last week. That will change Saturday when the Sun Devils take on a Bruins defense that is allowing just under 460 yards per game (115th in FBS). Take Arizona State giving three in the Rose Bowl.

California (4-3, 1-3 Pac-12) vs. 12 Utah (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12)

Time, Network: 8:00pm MT, Fox Sports 1

Spread: Utah -21 (o/u 36 ½)

When was the last time you saw a team favored by 21 points with an over/under of 36 and a half? Such is the case with this matchup. The Golden Bears have a stout defense, but the Utes defense is elite, hence the extremely low over/under. With California potentially down to their third string quarterback Spencer Brasch, it’s tough to imagine the Golden Bears putting many points on the board. Utah’s offense, meanwhile, is averaging nearly 33 points per game. Utah will win, but by 21 points? It’ll be close but give me the Utes giving 21 at home.

Washington State (4-3, 1-3 Pac-12) vs. 11 Oregon (6-1, 4-0 Pac-12)

Time, Network: 8:30pm MT, ESPN

Spread: Oregon -14 (o/u 66)

Mike Leach’s gang snapped a three-game skid with a dominating 41-10 win in Boulder last week. Now the Cougars travel to Eugene, Ore. to take on the 11th-ranked Ducks. Washington State has won the last four games in this series which begun in 1901, but don’t expect that trend to continue. Oregon is perhaps the most balanced team in the conference and should have no problem disposing of the Cougars. I’m rolling with Justin Herbert and the Ducks at home.

*Point spreads are as of Friday, October 25 per the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook unless noted*