Happy Friday!
Leading off
This is the final weekend of "mostly" nonconference play. Starting next week, it's a full slate of Pac-12-only games. So say your hellos and goodbyes to the Michigans, Hawaiis and Georgia States of the world this weekend. There are still three dates with Notre Dame and Cal's season finale against BYU. But for the rest of the league, we wrap up the non-league games this weekend.
The nonconference schedule always makes for some interesting picks. The Pac-12 blog unleashed its picks on the world yesterday morning. Not a ton of discrepancy, other than a 4-1 decision on the Utah-Michigan game. Besides that one game, the rest of the Pac-12 blog is in agreement.
Here are what others from across the country are picking for Week 4.
The folks at CBS make their picks on some of the national games, including an across-the-board-selection of Oregon in Pullman.
Jacob Thorpe of the Spokesman Review was pretty good last week straight up, not so much if you're betting pennies. His picks this week.
Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News weighs in with his picks here.
Athlon Sports offers up their Pac-12 predictions here.
Christian Caple of the News Tribune lays out his picks.
(I'm noticing a lot of folks went 7-1 last week ... hmmm, USC...)
Big Board update
When the first two names are called at the 2015 NFL draft, there's a good chance they will both be from the Pac-12. So says ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., who updated his Big Board. It's an Insider piece, but I'll tell you the new big board is silly with Pac-12 players. Eight players from the league are in his top 25 -- including three in the top 10.
Mel Kiper Jr. drops Winston from 3rd to 25th on Big Board » pic.twitter.com/Kkc8I249al
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) September 18, 2014
News/notes/practice reports
This just in, Arizona's Tyrell Johnson is fast.
D.J. Foster brings stability to ASU's offense.
How does Cal's defense shape up against Arizona's offense?
Mike MacIntyre is pleased with his offensive balance.
The Register-Guard guys talk about Oregon's trip to Pullman.
Good news for OSU that offensive lineman Garrett Weinreich practiced.
Blake Martinez is a more subdued leader for the Cardinal.
Jim Mora continues to play coy on Brett Hundley's status.
USC's performance against BC has given the defense a bad name.
Some Utah notes heading into the showdown with Michigan.
Some quotes from Chris Petersen heading into Saturday.
A bigger, stronger Isiah Myers is also more disciplined.
Just for fun
Not sure what to get that special Duck in your life for Christmas? Try this.
Another chuckle from Oregon. This is just digitally adorable.
Pretty cool new website from Oregon State dedicated to all things Sean Mannion.