Pac-12 Predictions: Picks against the spread for Week 8
By Gabe Encinas
Oct 17, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Jared Baker (23) sprints past Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Ryan Moeller (25) on a 77 yard touchdown run during the first half at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
- Date: Saturday October 24, 2015
- Time: 4:00 PM Eastern
- Location: Tucson, AZ
- TV Channel: Pac-12
- Spread: Arizona -7
- Over/Under Total: 72
Arizona had a scare in Boulder this weekend, and they needed a surge from backup quarterback Jerrard Randall to get the job done. By no means is Colorado a great team, and Arizona’s true colors definitely started showing when going up against a decently competitive team.
This Arizona team will beat the teams that they should beat, and will struggle mightily against the top teams in the conference. Yet somehow, they’re always good for an upset. Some see Arizona as the underdog in this game, and for good reason.
Washington State has one of the strongest aerial attacks in the nation, throwing the ball 55+ time a games with ease. Arizona’s pass defense is ranked 108th in the country, and they’ve scrambled for cornerbacks these past few weeks, starting a true freshman last week in Jace Whittaker. They should get their number one corner in DaVonte Neal back this week, which will help ease the pains of the secondary, that might not be enough.
This might be a game where whoever scores 50 points first wins. The over/under only being 72 does these two offenses, and lack of defenses no justice. Arizona has the advantage of being at home, with a projected kickoff being at 84 degrees. This is a tough game to pick, but I think the home field advantage will just be enough to outlast the Cougars.
Next: Utah vs USC