ASU Football: Pac-12 against the spread for Week 11

After a full set of games last week, Pac-12 football returns in Week 11 with five different conference matchups beginning Saturday with ASU football vs. UCLA.

The Pac-12 has been a mess for a while. Just a few weeks into the season, the conference had almost eliminated itself from the College Football Playoff.

Though the conference is weak at the top, it may be the most competitive.

This month’s Apple Cup will likely decide the Pac-12 North, and in the South, every team still has a chance. Week 11’s five-game slate could help sort out the contenders and pretenders in the division races.

UCLA vs. Arizona State

Line: ASU -13.5

Sure, Herm Edwards’s first season as head coach has been more of a seesaw than a train. Even so, the Sun Devils control their own destiny in the Pac-12 South. Taking care of business at home against UCLA would be crucial momentum heading into two road games to close out the regular season.

In its last two games, ASU has clicked on both sides of the ball, and the Manny Wilkins–N’Keal Harry combination has been as explosive as anticipated.

UCLA’s main weapon is running back Joshua Kelley. After three games of limited reps to start the year, Kelley has established himself as one of the Pac-12’s premier backs.

ASU should have no problem sending its seniors out with one last win, but if Kelley finds his stride on the ground, things could get interesting. ASU won’t cover on Senior Day.

Washington State vs. Colorado

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Line: WSU -6.0

At one point, it appeared Colorado had a clear path to the Pac-12 Championship. But after two bad losses to Oregon State and Arizona, the Buffaloes are fighting to stay relevant.

Sitting at 5-4 overall, Colorado needs to win one more to hit the required six wins for bowl eligibility. That could be tough this week.

While Washington State barely edged Cal a week ago, the Cougars have been the Pac-12’s most consistent team this year, led by star quarterback Gardner Minshew.

Colorado has trended in the wrong direction lately, so Minshew and the Cougars should easily cover the six-point spread.

Oregon at Utah

Line: Utah -3.0

Fresh off a road loss to ASU, Utah returns to Rice-Eccles Stadium to host Oregon. Now without Tyler Huntley, the Utes will rely on backup quarterback Jason Shelley, who didn’t exactly have a stellar game against the Sun Devils.

Oregon had previously lost two in a row, but the Ducks were able to return to its course, cruising past UCLA in Week 10.

Without Shelley, Utah’s offense will likely live and die by Zack Moss, the Utes’ running back. If Moss doesn’t have a big game, Utah could struggle to keep up — even with the conference’s best defense. Oregon will cover the spread and win outright in Salt Lake City.

Oregon State at Stanford

Line: Stanford -24.0

Oregon State was unable to shock the college football world again in Week 10, but in its 38-21 loss to USC, the Beavers showed signs of life.

Quarterback Jake Luton threw for over 300 yards with zero interceptions against an athletic defense. Luton and the Beavers once again face a stingy defense this week in Stanford.

Even though Oregon State’s 2-7 record is dismal, the Beavers haven’t failed to score in most of their games. Because of this and Stanford’s lack of offensive output lately, this game’s score will be closer than Vegas thinks.

California at USC

Line: USC -5.0

Both standing at 5-4 overall, bowl eligibility will be on the line Saturday between Cal and USC. That is not the only implication for this game.

If USC wins, that will go a long way in the Trojans’ quest to the Pac-12 Championship. Because of this, USC will come out firing on all cylinders.

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California has been up and down throughout the season, but the Golden Bears haven’t been able to find stability behind center. Offensive woes will cost Cal, leading USC to a double-digit victory for its sixth win.

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