ASU Football: Pac-12 against the spread for Week 12
By Carson Field
Arizona and Washington both had byes a week ago, but every Pac-12 team is in action for Week 12 with ASU football facing Oregon.
This year, it’s hard to call the Pac-12 the “Conference of Champions,” at least in football. Washington State is the only team in the conference with a slight chance at the Playoff. Even then, the Cougars have suffered some close calls against so-so teams (i.e. Cal, Stanford).
That said, there’s arguably no conference as competitive as the Pac-12. Neither of the divisions have been clinched with two weeks left in the regular season, but more could be known about those races after Week 12.
Utah at Colorado
Line: Utah -7.0
When Utah’s starting quarterback and running back (Tyler Huntley and Zack Moss, respectively) suffered season-ending injuries, all seemed lost for the Utes. Fast-forward a week and that’s not the case at all.
The Jason Shelley-led Utes took down Oregon to keep themselves in the mix for the Pac-12 South title. But it could’ve been solely because of Utah’s awesome “Swoop” helmets.
Regardless, this week is a high-stakes game for Utah and its opponent, Colorado. Utah needs to win this week in order to have a chance at winning the South, while Colorado needs one win in its last two games to become bowl eligible.
Folsom Field is never an easy place to play, so expect Colorado to keep it close.
It will especially help that star receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. will be in uniform for the Buffaloes. Because of this, Colorado will cover the spread.
USC at UCLA
Line: USC -3.5
At 2-8, UCLA doesn’t really have anything to play for. Even so, spoiling USC’s bowl chances could be the most rewarding thing to happen to the Bruins this year.
In Chip Kelly‘s first season, the team has slowly improved over the course of the year. With two games left, the offense has finally shown signs of life, particularly Wilton Speight and Joshua Kelley.
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USC, on the other hand, has been up and down this year, but lately, the Trojans have hit a low point. Fresh off a loss to Cal, the Trojans’ bowl chances are in jeopardy, sitting at 5-5 with two games left.
While this game is at the Rose Bowl, USC has significantly more to play for than UCLA, and I expect USC’s fans to make the trek across town to see their team get its sixth win. USC will win by a touchdown.
Oregon State at Washington
Line: Washington -32.0
It’s no secret: Oregon State isn’t good at football.
But this spread seems really high. As bad as the Beavers are, it’s hard to see Washington’s offense putting enough up to win by 32. The Huskies haven’t scored 30 points in any of their last four games.
Just because I think Washington won’t cover doesn’t mean it will be close. The Huskies will win by at least three scores in their game leading up to next week’s Apple Cup.
Arizona at Washington State
Line: Washington State -9.5
Earlier this year, the spread for this game could’ve been close to 25.0. That’s when Arizona was regarded as one of the worst teams in power-five football. Much has changed since then.
J.J. Taylor has torn the ground apart recently and is second in the conference in rushing yards. Perhaps more crucial, Khalil Tate has looked like his old self in recent games.
A win away from bowl eligibility and an off chance to win the Pac-12 South, Arizona has a lot to play for. So does Washington State.
The Cougars still have a tiny chance to sneak into the College Football Playoff, but more realistic, they could win the Pac-12 and head to the Rose Bowl. Quarterback Gardner Minshew has been the key to WSU’s success this year, and his performance will likely dictate if Arizona is able to keep it close.
Coming off a blowout win over Colorado, Washington State will keep rolling and cover the spread against Arizona.
Arizona State at Oregon
Line: Oregon -3.5
Among the hottest teams in college football currently is Arizona State. After losing four of five, the Sun Devils have won their last three games and control their destiny in the Pac-12 South Race.
Win out and ASU plays against one of the Washington schools in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
But first, ASU has to play in the furious atmosphere that is Autzen. Not only is Eugene one of the toughest places to play, it’s also bitter cold, something the Sun Devils aren’t used to.
Oregon, fresh off a loss to Utah, sits at 6-4 with one of the nation’s best quarterbacks, Justin Herbert. Though he’s thrown 25 touchdowns this year, he’s struggled with accuracy, completing less than 60 percent of his passes.
What’s stood out for the Sun Devils has been the offense. If that keeps clicking, ASU will win its fourth game in a row.