PAC-12 Games To Watch … Besides Oregon / Auburn

College football storms into our living rooms this weekend with a daunting number of opening-weekend games involving FBS teams.  But, don’t worry—you’ll survive. How do I know? Well, if you’re still alive after last year’s 84, then this year’s 83 should be a snap!

Only two games match nationally ranked teams led by #11 Oregon as a projected 33-31 winner over #19 Auburn. Oregon will start four-year senior Justin Herbert at quarterback while the Tigers return fire with newcomer, Bo Nix.   Yes, Nix is a true freshman but he’s hardly an ordinary one.  His composure and decision-making are second only to his NFL-ready arm.

In a mild upset, #24 Stanford is a one-point favorite at home against slow-starting Northwestern (#20).  In another mild upset, we see Memphis surprising Mississippi, 37-36.

We see USC as a narrow favorite over Fresno State, although the reliability factor for that prediction is very low because FSU must replace a record-breaking quarterback and USC is going with a complete change in its offensive scheme and coordinator.

One we’re paying especially close attention to is UC-Davis against California of the PAC-12.  Although UCD is a three touchdown underdog, the Aggies are solid contenders for the FCS national championship. 

Most predicted point spreads are conservative in week 1 games.

In other PAC-12 matchups:

Washington State 41,  New Mexico State 24

Cincinnati 32,  UCLA 28 (Bearcats won by nine last year)

Utah 32,  Utah 17   (Utah won 35-27 last year)

Washington 42,  Eastern Washington 21  

Arizona St. 37,  Kent State 21

Colorado 33,  Colorado State 28   (Buffs have won four straight.  Odd-numbered years are blow-outs. Not this year.)

Oklahoma State 38,  Oregon State 28

Most of the top ten teams are projected to win with little more than token challenges.

A full list of all 83 predicted games will be posted here before 2pm PDT.

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About Bobby Albrant 148 Articles
Bobby Albrant is a former journalism major at the University of Oregon, creator of Savvygameline.com for college football predictions and rankings, former analyst for Southern Mississippi football games, and twenty years coaching girls basketball for all ages through CIF high school. He has three grown children with his youngest daughter playing on the Ventura (Ca) High School basketball team that defeated Dom Lugo High School and was the last high school game ever played by Diana Taurasi. He can be reached at bobbywildcat@gmail.com.