The first week of the college football season isn’t supposed to mean this much. At least it didn’t back in the good ol’ days when men were men and you could count the number of schools in a conference on two hands.
But here we are at the start of the 2018 season — sorry CSU — and every national taste maker with a microphone is saying the same thing about Washington’s Week 1 game against Auburn in Atlanta: UW must beat the Tigers if the Pac-12 is going to put a team in the College Football Playoff.
That’s a lot of weight to put on one Saturday, especially one landing on Labor Day weekend. If history is any guide, it’s also likely an overstatement. The previous four national champions, after all, had regular-season losses to Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, Pitt and Auburn, respectively. (Yes, the very same Auburn). Two of those losses — Ohio State at VT and Alabama at Ole Miss — came during the fist three weeks of the season. And, if my math is correct, there are still 11 other teams in the Conference of Champions that could presumably win the Pac-12 and a spot in the playoff. (OK, so maybe not Oregon State.)
So while UW-Auburn might be a big game for the Pac-12 — a tone setter for after a miserable 2017 — it’ll be way too early to make broad postseason pronouncements regardless of what happens Saturday… unless UW gets completely thrashed. With that in mind, the Omelette of Champions looks ahead to Week 1 for the Pac:
Weber State at Utah, 6 p.m. Friday (Line: OFF) — Weber State is a respectable FCS program, but second-year Utes QB Tyler Huntley and the brutish Utah offensive and defensive lines will have their way with their fellow Beehive State brethren. (Pick: Utah 38, WSU 10)
San Diego State at Stanford, 7 p.m. Friday (Line: Stanford -14.5) — Revenge game for the Cardinal after last year’s 20-17 loss in Ron Burgundy country. The Aztecs have a new defensive coordinator. Stanford has Bryce Love and four returning starters on the O-line. Not hard to see where this is headed. (Pick: Stanford 35, SDSU 17)
Colorado vs. Colorado State at Broncos Stadium, 7:30 p.m. Friday (Line: Colorado -7.0) — Buffs coach Mike MacIntyre was raving about the Rams’ offense Monday. The CSU defense? He’s convinced it will play better than it did in a regrettable loss to Hawaii. I suppose there’s nowhere to go but up. (Pick: CU 38, CSU 28)
Oregon State at Ohio State, 10 a.m. Saturday (Line: Ohio State -37.0) — Could the Beavers catch The Ohio State University napping with no Urban Meyer on the sidelines? Doubtful. Oscar Meyer could coach these Buckeyes to a 40-point win over Oregon State. (Pick: Ohio State 55, Oregon St. 10)
No. 6 Washington vs. No. 9 Auburn at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, 1:30 p.m. Saturday (Line: Auburn -2.5) — As complete a team as UW is, it’s hard to trust Huskies QB Jake Browning in what is essentially a road game against an SEC power (Auburn is 90 minutes from ATL). Jarrett Stidham and the Tigers will do just enough against a salty UW defense (Pick: Auburn 21, UW 16)
Washington State at Wyoming, 1:30 p.m. Saturday (Line: OFF) — It’s something of an annual tradition for Wazzu to do a face plant against a Mountain West or Big Sky foe at the start of the season. Don’t see it happening with the Pokes, though. (Pick:WSU 31, Wyoming 21)
UNLV at No. 15 USC, 2 p.m. Saturday (Line: USC -25) — Did you know neither the Trojans nor the UCLA Bruins have ever played an FCS team in their storied football histories? The Trojans keep that streak alive here — barely — with a less-than-tantalizing tilt against the Runnin’ Rebs. (Pick: USC 38, UNLV 3)
Cincinnati at UCLA, 5 p.m. Saturday (Line: UCLA -16 1/2) — The Chip Kelly era begins with a game against a down Bearcats club… and six Bruins suspended for violations of athletic department policies. Sounds like a Chip Kelly team to me. (Pick: UCLA 34, Cincy 21)
Bowling Green at No. 24 Oregon, 6 p.m. Saturday (Line: Oregon -31.5) — The MAC has been known to produce a punchy underdog or two from time to time. BG isn’t one of them. Let the Justin Herbert Heisman Hype begin. (Pick: Oregon 42, Bowling Green 7)
UTSA at Arizona State, 8:30 p.m. Saturday (Line: ASU -18.5) — It wasn’t all that long ago that the Road Runners had ASU on the ropes in the Alamadome. This one’s in Tempe. Expect a solid night for the New Leadership Model and Herm Edwards. (Pick: Arizona State 34, UTSA 14)
BYU at Arizona, 8:45 p.m. Saturday (Line: 11.5) — Our best hope for #Pac12AfterDark insanity. Unfortunately, this isn’t the BYU of LaVell Edwards vintage. It’s time for the Cougars to swallow their pride and rejoin the Mountain West. (Pick: Arizona 35, BYU 24)
— , The Denver Post
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What’s on Tap?
- MLB: Rockies at Angels, 8:07 p.m., ATTRM | Pitching matchup |
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Scoreboard
MLB: Angels 10, Rockies 7
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By The Numbers
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Tom Brady hangs up on WEEI interview after too many Alex Guerrero questions
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Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
