Week 12 Picks

Another 4-1 week last week that takes the season record to 32-16-1.  Last week went with four SEC games; this week we'll go with three Pac 12 games.  Starting the weekend early with a Friday night game.

UCLA Bruins Midnight Uniform

at UCLA -2.5 Washington - The Bruins have been fantastic at home and the Huskies have been less
than stellar on the road.  If UCLA can contain running back Bishop Sankey and make quarterback Keith Price have to beat them, I think the Bruins can force a couple of turnovers they can turn into points.  UCLA should be fired up for this game in their black Midnight uniforms and will win by a touchdown or more.

West Virginia -6.5 at Kansas - Granted, the Jayhawks might have a "decided schematic advantage" under coach Charlie Weis, but that still doesn't get around the fact that their players aren't very good.  Yes, the Mountaineers haven't been exactly world beaters either, but they did beat Oklahoma State, they played Texas tough last week and covering a touchdown against a bad Kansas team should be too hard.

Stanford -3.5 at USC - I'll grant that USC is playing better since they got rid of Lane Kiffin.  And the win at Oregon State was nice.  And last week the offense showed up in a rout of Cal.  But the other team from the Bay Area...they actually play defense.  This is one of those games that might be close for a half, maybe even in to the third quarter.  And then Stanford's pounding style will start to wear out the Trojans and the lack of depth due to the scholarship limitations will truly show.  Look for a double-digit victory for the Cardinal and keeping their slim national title hopes alive.

at Arizona -11 Washington State - The Cougars are improving under Mike Leach.  Unfortunately, they still don't have the talent they need to compete with the good to really good teams in the Pac 12.  They've lost four of their last five, and all of those by 24 points or more.  The Wildcats at home will get back on track after their close loss to UCLA last week and maul the Cougars.

at South Carolina -12.5 Florida - This one could get ugly.  The Gators have been decimated by injuries on both sides of the ball this year.  The Gamecocks still have a shot at winning the SEC East and playing for the SEC Championship.  Florida has no offense whatsoever and if they get down 10-0 or 14-3 early, this one will be done by halftime.  Look for Carolina and coach Steve Spurrier to kick them while their down and roll to an easy victory.

Michigan State -6 at Nebraska -  The Cornhuskers have been living lucky the last two weeks with a Hail Mary victory over Northwestern and a last minute win against Michigan.  Unfortunately, those two opponents aren't very good and are really reeling.  On the other hand, the Spartans are rolling and are somehow flying way under the radar at 8-1 with an absolutely nasty defense.  That defense will more than keep Nebraska in check and chalk up another easy win.