This article is from SuperWestSports.com, a partner of Oregon Sports News.
Wise is the bettor who consults Nick’s No-Nonsense Betting Tips before logging on to his sportsbook.
Upsets throw everything off kilter. But even at that, I went 7-2 in Week 11.
Combine that with my 8-1 in Week 10, 6-2 in Week 9, 7-1 in Week Eight, 1-6 in Week Seven, 6-1 in Week Six, 7-2 in Week Five, 8-1 in Week Four, 10-2 in Week Three, 9-2 in Week Two, and 11-2 in Week One. and I’m a solid 80-22 on the season.
That’s a respectable 78% success rate.
Now, as for those upsets . . . I think I knew (in my gut) that the Huskies could win, but I didn’t dare to act on it. The regret is always 20/20.
Arizona’s win over UCLA? Get out of here. No one saw that coming.
As usual, the mighty SuperWest is full of surprises.
But enough excuse-making. It’s time to make my Week 12 picks.
As always, my selections come with incredibly accurate game scores and just enough commentary to keep me from eating too many pickles here in the beautiful Shoreline district of Seattle.
San Diego State at New Mexico – Friday, November 18 – 6:45 p.m., PT, FS1
San Diego’s State season has proven strange.
The Aztecs have won three of their six victories by a combined ten points, indicative of an average team.
On the other foot, had SDSU not blown the game against Fresno State, they’d be in the midst of a conference title race. Where they stand is where they stand, and it feels accurate in the end.
As for New Mexico, what can I say? They’re the Lobos. The Lobos haven’t scored more than ten points in their last four outings.
They also haven’t won since week three, and it’s now (checks calendar) week 12.
Aztecs by 16.
Final Score: San Diego State 30-14
Washington State at Arizona – Saturday, November 19 – 11:00 a.m., PT, Pac-12
This matchup is the Jayden de Laura bowl, who is now the quarterback of Arizona, but was the signal caller for Washington State last season.
This should add a rivalry-esque vibe to the contest.
The problem is, the Wildcats used all of their card tricks in their upset victory over UCLA, and they’re not going to sneak up on the Cougars this week.
For WSU, they must rely on their defensive line pressuring de Laura. The duo of Ron Stone Jr. and Brennan Jackson should alleviate this problem.
Jayden’s going to need a morning-after pill.
Cougs by eleven.
Final Score: Washington State 35, Arizona 24
No. 23 Oregon State at Arizona State – Saturday, November 19 – 11:15 a.m., PT, ESPN2
Oregon State’s offense did something extraordinary last week—they decided to play.
The Beavers scored 38 points against California in arguably their best performance since Ben Gulbranson took over. If they can show the same level of consistency, they’ll cruise in Tempe.
Things felt good for Arizona State when Shaun Aguano took over, but ASU’s still ASU, and their lack of talent is becoming all too apparent.
Trenton Bourguet also won’t be 100 percent for this contest. And a questionable quarterback equals questionable results.
Beavs by ten.
Final Score: Oregon State 27, Arizona State 17
Utah Tech at BYU – Saturday, November 19 – 12:30 p.m., PT, ESPN3
Utah Tech? Utah Tech?
We’re not talking about Utah, but Utah Tech? Not Utah State, not Southern Utah, Weber State, but Utah Tech?
Who the freckle is Utah Tech?
We’re talking about Utah Tech, not an actual game. We’re talking about Utah Tech.
For BYU, if they show up to practice, they’ll get the dub. But remember, we’re not talking about practice; we’re talking about Utah Tech.
Cougars cruise.
Final Score: BYU 42, Utah Tech 13
Stanford at California – Saturday, November 19 – 2:30 p.m., PT, Pac-12
In this year’s version of the little game, we have two fanbases who don’t care about football until “The Big Game.”
Cal’s season has been all but over since its loss to Colorado. The Golden Bears are a defensive team that ranks 80th in the nation in points per outing.
And Stanford is just really bad at football. If it weren’t for Tanner McKee, they would arguably be one of the worst Pac-12 teams of all time.
Cal’s season may be virtually over, but the Bears can still smoke the tree.
Bears by three.
Final Score: California 23, Stanford 20
Boise State at Wyoming – Saturday, November 19 – 4:00 p.m., PT, CBS Sports
It feels like Boise State’s loss to BYU might have been the perfect alarm clock.
The Broncos bounced back last week with a schlepping of Nevada, but that should’ve been expected.
This game’s different. Both teams enter this matchup hoping for a Conference championship, but championship football’s dirty.
Luckily for BSU, they’re built for this type of matchup. Halfback George Holani has rushed for 100 yards in four out of the five games, and their scoring defense ranks eleventh in the nation.
Wyoming may be an upstart team, but they’ll be “downstopped” by Boise.
Broncos by three.
Final Score: Boise State 27, Wyoming 24
No. 7 USC at No. 16 UCLA – Saturday, November 19 – 5:00 p.m., PT, FOX
Well, at least the Crosstown Rivalry is in the Pac-12 this season.
UCLA must get out to a hot start. They can’t take another bodyslam to their confidence.
This all rides on how DTR performs. It’s his chance to be the dude in L.A.
For USC, it’s about how they respond without Travis Dye. Caleb Williams may get all the hype, but Dye was the spirit of the Trojans.
Someone will have to do all the little things he did as a former three-star. Five-star recruits are some-ones, but can they fill his brave and speedy shoes?
USC by seven.
Final Score: USC 38, UCLA 31
Colorado at No. 17 Washington – Saturday, November 19 – 6:00 p.m., PT, Pac-12
Washington’s performance against Oregon made UW relevant again.
If the Huskies don’t blow this game against Colorado, then they’re an “Apple Cup” victory away from a 10-win season. They just can’t Coug it.
Really, that’s it.
Colorado needs to show some ticker. The Buffaloes have lost three out of their four by thirty points or more.
There’s a difference between competing and losing, and the Buffs are doing the latter.
Huskies by 28.
Final Score: Washington 42, Colorado 14
No. 10 Utah at No. 12 Oregon – Saturday, November 19 – 7:30 p.m., PT, ESPN
Even though the Battle of L.A. will likely receive more promotion, this one is for real.
One of these teams will be eliminated from the Pac-12 Championship Game with a loss.
How is Oregon going to respond to the UW defeat? And will the Ducks have Bo Nix behind center?
The Ducks may be eliminated from the College Football Playoff, but they can still get revenge on Utah, with or without Nix.
The Utes dismembered UO twice last season, including in the Conference Championship.
The men of Utah will look to continue their usual November hot streak. They enter this matchup as winners of four in a row and seek a spot in their third straight Pac-12 Title Game.
One, two, three, four, something about a thumb war.
Ducks by three.
Final Score: Oregon 30, Utah 27
Fresno State at Nevada – Saturday, November 19 – 7:30 p.m., PT, CBS Sports
Outside of Boise State, Fresno State’s arguably in the best position to make the Conference Championship game.
The Bulldogs face Wyoming next week at home, and regardless of the outcome, the Cowboys should be tired. All FSU needs to do is take this game seriously.
They’re obviously the better team, and they can’t waste the miracle onside kick win against the Aztecs by losing this one.
It’s senior night for Nevada, so just do anything. But anything requires skill.
FSU by 17.
Final Score: Fresno State 31, Nevada 14
