Pac-12 Week 12 Predictions

I feel like the only reason I'm keeping this feature going is because I keep predicting more games than I'm getting wrong. After going 5-1 last week I'm at 51-26 on the season. Given all the unexpectedness with some of these teams this year, that ain't too shabby.

Here's a quick look since Pac-12 games kick off real shortly.

No. 25 Washington (6-4, 4-3) at Colorado (1-9, 1-6)
If there's one thing you have to credit Jon Embree for, is that he still has his team competing week in and week out. That and he managed to not completely snap. At least not publicly. Colorado simply doesn't have the athletes to be competitive in the conference right now, but they're still out there competing. It won't mean much as they take on Washington this week who will move on to 7 wins. Ugh.
Prediction: Washington 38 Colorado 21

Washington State (2-8, 0-7) at Arizona State (5-5, 3-4)
After WSU's first game, most people expected it to be bad in Pullman this year, but I don't think anyone thought it'd be this bad. The team is losing, players are quitting and accusing coaches of abuse...THEIR PET'S HEADS ARE FALLING OFF! I understand Mike Leach is trying to instill a culture of no-nonsense and discipline, but he seems to be doing it with a "get on, or get out" mentality, which might be tough given this team's already fragile psyche. This looks to be a longer project than anticipated.

The Sun Devils are absolutely struggling after dropping four in a row. I think ASU fans are realizing how soft the front of their schedule was, and how they're still a ways away from being considered one of the top tier teams in the conference. At the very least, they'll lock up bowl eligibility and give themselves a pretty good shot at improving upon last season's win total.
Prediction: ASU 38 WSU 27

No. 18 USC (7-3, 5-3) at No. 17 UCLA (8-2, 5-2)
Oooh, what's this? A USC/UCLA game with two ranked teams? Can't remember the last time we had this. 2005 maybe? Anyway, the Bruins are clearly the best team LA has seen in years, and I think we're in for a good one. With that said, despite USC's struggles, I do think they have the edge in playmakers. The Trojans should pull this one out, keeping their Holiday Bowl hopes alive.
Prediction: USC 31 UCLA 24

No. 13 Stanford (8-2, 6-1) at No. 2 Oregon (10-0, 7-0)
The Stanford are feeling pretty good about themselves, and you have to give them credit: they've managed to keep their Pac-12 North hopes alive. It all comes to an end against the Ducks in Autzen Stadium however. In the Pac-12 there are simply bad matchups. The Trojans struggle against Stanford, and Stanford struggles against the Ducks. I think Stanford's tough front seven should do a good job keeping Oregon's running game from going wild, but the Ducks are too balanced on offense, and have too many ways of breaking down opposing defenses. Ducks win.
Prediction: Oregon 38 Stanford 24

Arizona (6-4, 3-4) at Utah (4-6, 2-5)
It's just about make or break time for the Utes. They lose this game and they're out of the postseason. A part of me thinks that the Utes are in the middle of the their uual second half roll, but then again, I think the Wildcats simply have the edge on offense. It's hard for me to see the Utes keeping up. Going on a bit of a limb here.
Prediction: Arizona 24 Utah 20