Week 8 Recap

Week 8 is in the books for Pac-12 football. There was lots of high-scoring action to go around, excluding Colorado's 10-5 slug-it-out win over Stanford. This week saw the top teams in the conference start to separate themselves from the rest. Let's see how my picks fared this week. As a reminder, I do not actually gamble on these games myself. This blog is designed to help you make your picks using statistical analysis.  

Cal 52, Oregon 49 (Pick: Cal -1, Under 89.5)

This game had explosive offense written all over it, and that is exactly what we got. The quarterbacks combined for 12 touchdowns, although Oregon QB Justin Herbert threw a game-ending interception. This marked the second straight game that Oregon has allowed six touchdowns to the opposing quarterback. The loss also stopped Oregon's hopes of winning their first conference game of the season. Cal's running backs Tre Watson and Khalfani Muhammed combined for 302 yards on 51 carries, averaging five yards per carry. Things don't get better for Oregon next week as they face Arizona State, a team with one of the Pac-12's fiercest rushing attacks. As I had hoped, Cal's defense stepped up in the second overtime and intercepted Herbert to seal the victory. I picked Cal to beat the spread and they won by 3. However, the teams managed to eclipse the ridiculous over/under of 89.5, which I missed on.

Washington State 37, Arizona State 32 (Pick: Arizona State +7.5, Over 64)

Arizona State's Herb Sendek accused Washington State's Mike Leach of stealing signs during Saturday's showdown.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This game unfolded as most would expect. Lots of points and very little defense. Washington State asserted themselves into the upper echelon of the Pac-12, currently on a five-game winning streak. The victory also marked the first time since 2001 that the Cougars have defeated Arizona State in Tempe. They are undefeated in conference play this season. Arizona State was forced to play its fourth-string quarterback after starter Manny Wilkins was injured in the first quarter. Kudos to the Sun Devils for staying it the game and competing. That is what football is all about. I hit on my picks here, with Arizona State covering the spread and the teams combing for 69 points, well above the over/under of 64. 

Colorado 10, Stanford 5 (Pick: Colorado +1.5, Under 49.5)

This wasn't exactly what I expected. Colorado missed three field goals and had a touchdown called back by a offensive pass-interference penalty. Despite Christian McCaffrey being active for the game, the Cardinal failed to score a touchdown for the first time this season. Stanford QB Ryan Burns threw three interceptions with two of them coming back-to-back in the 4th quarter. Congratulations to Colorado on becoming bowl-eligible for the first time in a decade. Coach Mike MacIntyre has the Buffaloes playing excellent football and hoping for a Pac-12 Championship berth. That is incredible considering that Colorado only won one conference game last season.  I nailed the spread and the under on this one, as the teams really struggled to find good offense. 

#4 Washington 41, Oregon State 17 (Pick: Washington -36.5, Over 53)

Jake Browning's hoping to get an invitation for a certain trophy ceremony in New York.
Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

This game unfolded as everyone expected it would. Washington is clearly the best team in the Pac-12, moving up to number four in the country after #2 Ohio State fell to Penn State. Washington is in the driver's seat to a Championship Playoff berth. QB Jake Browning contributed four touchdowns in the game, making his total 26 for the season. Oregon State showed that they have some fight left in them, refusing to be pushed around for much of the game. The Huskies have now won 10 in a row, and are 7-0 for the first time since 1992. I did make a mistake here, as any time a team is favored by 36.5 is going to have a hard time covering. However, I did hit on the over so the points that I predicted were still there. 

# 17 Utah 52, UCLA 45 (Pick: Utah +7, Under 46)

Joe Williams record-setting performance has Utah thinking about the Pac-12 Championship.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Well, this game caught me completely off-guard. I predicted a slow, smashmouth game that would be won by defense. The defenses were nowhere to be found in this wild affair. Utah RB Joe Williams, in his second game back from retirement, ran for 332 yards and four touchdowns. That is the biggest rushing performance that UCLA's defense has allowed in school history. The Bruins responded with offense firepower of their own. QB Mike Fafaul threw for 464 yards and five touchdown passes. However, Fafaul threw four interceptions that cost the Bruins in the end. I hit on the spread as UCLA was favored despite Utah being ranked in the Top 25. Utah showed why they are the better team, exploding for 52 points and the teams combined to obliterate the over/under by 51! 

For the weekend, I missed one point line (Washington -36.5) that I foolishly picked. Washington didn't keep their foot on the gas pedal for the whole game, as they have bigger goals (National Championship Playoff) on their mind. I missed two point total over/unders (Utah/UCLA and Cal/Oregon). Both games were astounding shootouts, only one of which I saw coming. That gives me a record of 7-3 for the weekend, and some momentum going forward to week 9! Next week's picks will be up on Thursday. 

Ron Stove's record for the season: 7-3.

*All lines and over/under taken from www.vegasinsider.com*