College Football Week 9: Picking a few other games around the country

This week seems as good as any to continue my pick'em series. I will be predicting each Pac-12 game against the spread and trying not to look like an idiot. Feel free to post your own picks in the comments.

Record to Date: 4-4

OREGON - 17 vs California

This Friday night battle in Santa Clara should be tight for two or three quarters, but Oregon's offense has been too potent lately to not run away with this one late. Marcus Mariota and Royce Freeman provide too much explosiveness for one of the weaker defenses in the conference to hold down. California is reeling after back-to-back losses, one of which came against Washington by 24. The Ducks beat that same Husky team by 25 six days ago.

COLORADO + 14 vs UCLA

I don't know if Colorado can pull the upset, but it should be able to stay within two touchdowns against UCLA at home. The Buffaloes have not lost a game by more than 14 points in Boulder this season. On the other side we have the Bruins, who struggled past California last week after losing two straight games in the weeks prior. This one is a toss-up.

OREGON STATE + 13 at Stanford

This should be one of the uglier games this week. Both offensive units have left a lot to be desired as of late. I don't know if Oregon State can go to The Farm and pull the upset, but I do know that Mike Riley produces great results when having more than a week to prepare for a big opponent. I also don't know if Stanford can put up more than 13 points. That's a lot of question marks.

ARIZONA - 3 at Washington State

Does Vegas know something we don't? I know Arizona might be slightly overrated, but this a top 15 team going up against a 2-5 one. I'll take the Wildcats by more than a field goal.

UTAH + 1.5 vs USC

The toughest game of the week to pick should also be one of the best. The winner becomes Arizona State's main competitor for the south division title while the loser will have a lot of work to do over the final month of the season. Give me the home team.

ARIZONA STATE - 3 at Washington

Love Arizona State in this one. The Washington defense should be able to keep its team in the game, but I think Oregon exploited a lot of problems with this team last week in Eugene.

Bonus Pick (Lock of the Week, Worth Double)

BOISE STATE - 6.5 vs BYU

This game is the one I'm most confident in throughout the country. BYU has lost three straight since its starting quarterback and darkhorse Heisman candidate Taysom Hill was lost for the year against Utah State. On the other side you have Boise State, who is nearly unbeatable at home and has only lost to Mississippi and Air Force, when a good chunk of its secondary was out with injuries. I like the Broncos by at least a touchdown.