Pac-12 Predictions: Picks every game against the spread for Week 3

Sep 12, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) drops back to throw against San Diego State Aztecs in the 2nd quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

California Golden Bears At Texas Longhorns

Austin, Texas

The Line: California -1.5

Another juicy line for the Golden Bears. This was a team that was favored by barely a touchdown against San Diego State last week, and they responded to that slight by beating the Aztecs 35-7. Their defense seems to have improved greatly, while they are still led by Heisman Trophy dark horse candidate Jared Goff.

Texas, however, is coming off a 42-28 “victory” over the Rice Owls. That followed an opening week smackdown delivered by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 38-3. Texas is just not the program it once was, while Cal is gaining steam in the wide open Pac-12 North. Watch this game on Fox at 3:30PM, pacific time on Saturday.

Keys To The Game:

Texas threw the ball just 10 times against Rice, and had a time of possession of just over 15 minutes for the entire game. Rice, meanwhile, had five turnovers in the game while mostly outplaying the Longhorns. If not for the three interceptions and two lost fumbles, Texas very well might have lost that game. If the Longhorns have trouble stopping Rice, then head coach Charlie Strong should cringe just thinking of his defense trying to stop Cal.

The Prediction:

Media members, odds-makers, and college football coaches around the country finally take notice as the Bears come out and annihilate the University of Texas on the football field in week 3. There are no more questionable lines, and professional betters of football curse that the secret is finally out. Goff’s Heisman candidacy gains steam, and people start talking about Cal as a possible dark horse to win the North. The final score? Cal 55, Texas 10.

Next: Stanford At USC