2011 Pac-12 Football Predictions: Which Teams Win in Week 12?

Pac-12 Week 12 predictions. Previous predictions:

The Week 11 predictions.

The Week 10 predictions.

The Week 9 predictions.   

The Week 8 predictions.   

The Week 7 predictions.

The Week 6 predictions.     The Week 5 predictions.   

The Week 4 predictions.     The Week 3 predictions.   

The Week 2 predictions.     The Week 1 predictions.

USC at Oregon, Cal at Stanford, Arizona at Arizona State and more.

USC at Oregon

USC at Oregon

Saturday, Nov. 19, 5:00 p.m. (PST)

on ABC

Upset Alert!!!

Game Prediction:

USC 38, Oregon 31

Oregon has not lost to USC since 2008. Oregon has not lost at home to USC since 2005. That changes in 2011.

Oregon will have two losses (LSU and Stanford) and hosts undefeated USC at Autzen Stadium. One thing the Ducks have trouble with is winning the big game, and this will be a big game. USC will be ranked higher than Oregon - by the time this game is played, and USC will continue to play an aggressive game against Oregon's spread, like they would have against Minnesota's spread ,and like they will against UCLA's spread.

Auburn, Alabama and Missouri all know this key point against the spread: unleash your defensive linemen, especially your nose and defensive tackles. It blows up the timing on these speed defenses. LSU will be the first to blow up Oregon's backfield. Stanford will take their turn, then USC will finish off the Ducks, keeping them out of the first annual Pac-12 Championship game, sending them to a lesser bowl and leaving Chip Kelly scratching his head while he avoids reporters.

In postgame reports, USC's head coach Lane Kiffin will say, "The team played pretty well tonight, but we still have a huge game next week against our number one rival, UCLA."

For more "logic" on why I'm calling for this upset, see my comments to Matt below:

Cal at Stanford

Cal at Stanford

Saturday, Nov. 19, 12:30 p.m. (PST)

on ABC

Game Prediction:

Stanford 42, Cal 28

California will have an impressive defense in 2011. Their offense will be developing. They will come into this game bowl-bound with seven wins. They will leave this game bowl-bound with seven wins. Andrew Luck will show why he is the top quarterback in the 2012 NFL draft. WR Chris Owusu, WR Griff Whalen and TE Coby Fleener will all have big days. Stanford will win their 10th game.

Arizona at Arizona State

Arizona at Arizona State

Saturday, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m. (PST)

on Versus

Game Prediction:

Arizona State 27, Arizona 24

Last year, the Sun Devils came away winners in the Territorial Cup rivalry.

And ASU only completed 45 percent of their passes. Arizona State only ran for 2.8 yards per rush (average). The Sun Devils only had one TD in regulation. And they won!

Now they will win at home. ASU's defense will be stifling and Osweiler will be hot.

Washington at Oregon State

Washington at Oregon State

Saturday, Nov. 19, TBA p.m. (PST)

on TBA

Upset Alert!!!!!

Game Prediction:

Oregon St. 31, Washington 24

Both teams will come into this game with a 3-7 record, with both having disappointing seasons. But the Beavers will have progressed on offense much better than the Huskies have. Both coaching staffs will be very sound. Both teams will have to replace quite a few players on both offense and defense. Oregon State will have a superior passing game. Washington will have a better running game (if Polk stays healthy). The Huskies will be coming off four straight tough games (at Stanford, Arizona, Oregon and at USC). There is a strong chance that Polk will be black and blue.

Washington will struggle with quarterback Keith Price this year, while Beaver QB Ryan Katz will shine with his continued development. Reser Stadium is also a difficult place to play for any visiting team. Oregon State will win this game in an upset, since Washington will be favored.

Utah at Washington State

Utah at Washington State

Saturday, Nov. 19, TBA p.m. (PST)

on TBA

Game Prediction:

Utah 27, Washington State 13

Washington State's weaknesses on both sides of the line will have led to a two-win season entering this game. QB Jeff Tuel will have a high pass completion percentage, and wide receiver Marquess Wilson will compliment Tuel, but the lack of a very strong running game will allow Utah to play back in coverage. Utah will win their seventh game against the Cougars and become eligible for a bowl game invitation.

Most Cougar fans were really hoping for a four or five-win season at a minimum, so Washington may be looking to replace coach Wulff after the season is over. 

Colorado at UCLA

Colorado at UCLA

Saturday, Nov. 19, TBA p.m. (PST)

on TBA

Game Prediction:

UCLA 17, Colorado 9

About nine years ago, the Buffaloes were hit with two years probation by the NCAA for 53 violations. 51 of the violations (mostly recruiting cheats) occurred between 1995 and 1998, when Rick Neuheisel was the head coach.

The Colorado Buffaloes will stop by Pasadena to pay their respects to Neuheisel, but he won't be accused of recruiting violations—mostly because he hasn't recruited any great classes at UCLA when he should have capitalized on his cross-town rival's woes.

Now Rick can't use "no bowl games for two years," or "Kiffin might have more sanctions coming," or "the NCAA is going after the Trojans," anymore, because those arguments won't apply to USC. He will have to sell UCLA prospects on his quarterback coaching abilities (if he is not gone before February).

Back to the game: Jonathan Franklin will slightly outrun Rodney Steward. The quarterbacks on both teams will struggle. UCLA will eek out their third victory of the year. 

Week 12 Projected Pac-12 North Standings

Projected Pac-12 North Standings After Week 12
Team	P-12 North	P-12 Conference	Overall
Stanford	5-0	8-1	10-1
Oregon	3-1	6-2	8-3
California	3-2	4-4	7-4
Oregon State	2-2	3-5	4-7
Washington	0-4	1-7	3-8
Washington State	0-4	0-8	2-9

Week 12 Projected Pac-12 South Standings

Projected Pac-12 South Standings After Week 12
Team	P-12 South	P-12 Conference	Overall
USC	5-0	8-0	11-0
Arizona State	4-1	6-2	8-3
Arizona	3-2	5-4	6-5
Utah	1-3	5-3	7-4
UCLA	1-3	2-6	3-8
Colorado	0-4	1-7	2-10

Note: Arizona's P-12 South standings rank them higher than Utah's.