Happy Friday! And Happy Halloween!
Leading off
Friday means picks! Big picks, small picks, upset picks and more. The Pac-12 blog released its picks Thursday morning with a little debate among the higher-profile games. And as we do each Friday, here are some picks from national writers and those who cover the conference.
The FOX pair of Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman are in sync with their Pac-12 picks. Both like Oregon, Arizona State and Arizona to beat Stanford, Utah and UCLA, respectively. Here is Feldman's take on the ASU-Utah matchup:
As good as the Utes D is playing, I think ASU QB Taylor Kelly can handle the heat. The Sun Devils have had fits dealing with the run, and Utah's Devontae Booker has been outstanding, but look for ASU to be able to give more focus to containing him since the Utes’ passing game is hampered further without leading receiver Dres Anderson (out for the season with a knee injury).
Most of the USA Today staff likes ASU and Arizona.
The Athlon Folks like an Oregon sweep.
Jacob Thorpe of the Spokesman-Review sees a tight game between California and Oregon State, but is picking the Golden Bears.
If you're making friendly wagers, Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News says take the Buffaloes and the points against Washington.
Big Board update
ESPN's Mel Kiper has released his latest Big Board projections, and as of right now, the top two picks in the 2015 NFL Draft will be from the Pac-12. Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota is No. 1 overall, followed by USC's Leonard Williams. Here's Kiper's take on the Oregon quarterback:
He combines above-average accuracy and anticipation with an ability to get through his progressions and elite athleticism. How well he can take apart a defense with tools other than his legs matters in terms of how he is viewed as a prospect, but his ability to throw on the run or simply take off and pick up chunk yardage is a major plus.
It's an insider piece, so I can't give away the farm. (Hint: my password is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Safe to say these two aren't the only Pac-12 players who appear in his top 25. There are five more (Washington fans, you'll be pleased).
Mel Kiper's Big Board. pic.twitter.com/YryhXlFapA
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 30, 2014News/notes/team reports
Taking stock of Rich Rodriguez's tenure at Arizona.
Taylor Kelly looks to kick off some of the rust.
Cal's defense prepping for a struggling OSU offense.
Colorado liking its running back-by-committee approach.
Some video of Mark Helfrich talking Stanford.
Some Oregon State notes and injury updates.
Plenty riding on the Oregon game for the Cardinal.
Jim Mora offers some thoughts on social media.
Despite the close losses, USC's spirit is intact.
Some chalk-talk on Devontae Booker's touchdown against USC.
Some video of Chris Petersen's gaggle with the media.
Connor Halliday wishes he had wins, not records.
Just for fun
Lisa Horne, proprietor of PigSkinGrind.com, offers up some awards and highlights thus far this season. She's a Heisman voter, so for what it's worth, she taps Mariota for having the top Heisman moment so far.
Speaking of Mariota ...
Today is Marcus Mariota's 21st bday. Helfrich isn't worried he'd go wild tonight. "I think he and Hroniss might share a Saltine cracker."
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) October 30, 2014