We are officially done with the first month of the season, which means it's on to the spookiest month of the year -- October.
This is the month where teams really find their groove or stumble to find their footing in a race for a divisional. It can get scary for some, as the pressure starts to mount. Ghoulish games are around the corner to trip up the league's best, while real stat-eating monsters are likely to become even more terrifying for opponents to face.
As the leaves begin to change color, we're even starting to see a little bit of an opening in our picks. The rookie made a strong move last week with that Oregon pick over Cal. Kyle didn't even know the Ducks would lose starting quarterback Justin Herbert, but he still went against the Quack Attack. Me, nah, I stayed loyal to an offense that can move with or without a quarterback.
It's the little things, Kyle. Sometimes you get a little cocky and you start to under-prepare. You get lazy in your execution, and you pick blindly.
Not this kid. Nah, the ATL kid came out to the West Coast to win.
On to the picks! Visit our college football PickCenter page for additional information on these games and many more.
Oregon State (1-4, 0-2 Pac-12) at No. 14 USC (4-1, 2-1)
Edward Aschoff: It's redemption weekend for the banged-up Trojans, and there's no better opponent to take all your frustration out on in this league than Oregon State. USC 41, Oregon State 13
Kyle Bonagura: After suffering its first defeat in more than a calendar year, USC should have no problem getting back on track in the Coliseum against the Beavers. They'll hope to rotate in a bunch of players, too, as they try to improve the overall health of the team. USC 45, Oregon State 13
No. 11 Washington State (5-0, 2-0) at Oregon (4-1, 1-1)
Aschoff: The Cougars are riding high after that upset win over USC last Friday. You'd think that there would be some sort of an emotional letdown for this team, but they'll travel to Autzen Stadium to face an Oregon team that will be without Herbert, who is out for an extend amount of time because of a broken collarbone. Expect another big fourth quarter from Luke Falk. Washington State 34, Oregon 24
Bonagura: Wazzu is on the national radar thanks to its win against USC and now must avoid what would be the ultimate letdown in its first road game of the season. Oregon has the firepower to keep up, but without Herbert it's a tall order. Washington State 38, Oregon 31
Arizona (2-2, 0-1) at Colorado (3-2, 0-2)
Aschoff: This has not been the start that anyone in Boulder expected. The Buffaloes are still trying to figure out an offense that returned nine starters, but is in the bottom half of the conference in scoring, rushing, passing and total offense. Arizona has run the ball very well this year, and with a week off following a close loss to Utah, the Wildcats will find themselves stealing a win from Colorado. Arizona 28, Colorado 27
Bonagura: Colorado has one of the most talented groups of receivers in the conference, but there have been some key drops recently that need to get cleaned up. If the Buffs want to remain around in the South, this is close to a must win. Colorado 35, Arizona 24
Stanford (3-2, 2-1) at No. 20 Utah (4-0, 1-0)
Aschoff: The Utes have to be the quietest unbeaten team in the country, right? They find themselves at the top of the Pac-12 South entering October, but to be honest, the Utes haven't really played anyone, and the health of quarterback Tyler Huntley is in question. Stanford has, and while it's still trying to find its defensive footing, the legs of Bryce Love will be too much for the Utes to hold the Cardinal down. Stanford 27, Utah 24
Bonagura: It's unlikely that Huntley will be ready to go by Saturday, but with the way Love has been running the ball for Stanford, it might not matter. Stanford 31, Utah 28
California (3-2, 0-2) at No. 6 Washington (5-0, 2-0)
Aschoff: For some reason, we just aren't talking about the Huskies much. They might not have played the toughest schedule, but they've taken care of business and they've done it with authority. They'll continue that trend this weekend against a scrappy Cal team. Washington 38, California 21
Bonagura: The Huskies are a machine right now and this one has the makings of their sixth straight lopsided win of the season. Washington 44, California 17
2017 picks records: Bonagura 35-8, Aschoff 35-8
This is the month where teams really find their groove or stumble to find their footing in a race for a divisional. It can get scary for some, as the pressure starts to mount. Ghoulish games are around the corner to trip up the league's best, while real stat-eating monsters are likely to become even more terrifying for opponents to face.
As the leaves begin to change color, we're even starting to see a little bit of an opening in our picks. The rookie made a strong move last week with that Oregon pick over Cal. Kyle didn't even know the Ducks would lose starting quarterback Justin Herbert, but he still went against the Quack Attack. Me, nah, I stayed loyal to an offense that can move with or without a quarterback.
It's the little things, Kyle. Sometimes you get a little cocky and you start to under-prepare. You get lazy in your execution, and you pick blindly.
Not this kid. Nah, the ATL kid came out to the West Coast to win.
On to the picks! Visit our college football PickCenter page for additional information on these games and many more.
Edward Aschoff: It's redemption weekend for the banged-up Trojans, and there's no better opponent to take all your frustration out on in this league than Oregon State. USC 41, Oregon State 13
Kyle Bonagura: After suffering its first defeat in more than a calendar year, USC should have no problem getting back on track in the Coliseum against the Beavers. They'll hope to rotate in a bunch of players, too, as they try to improve the overall health of the team. USC 45, Oregon State 13
Aschoff: The Cougars are riding high after that upset win over USC last Friday. You'd think that there would be some sort of an emotional letdown for this team, but they'll travel to Autzen Stadium to face an Oregon team that will be without Herbert, who is out for an extend amount of time because of a broken collarbone. Expect another big fourth quarter from Luke Falk. Washington State 34, Oregon 24
Bonagura: Wazzu is on the national radar thanks to its win against USC and now must avoid what would be the ultimate letdown in its first road game of the season. Oregon has the firepower to keep up, but without Herbert it's a tall order. Washington State 38, Oregon 31
Aschoff: This has not been the start that anyone in Boulder expected. The Buffaloes are still trying to figure out an offense that returned nine starters, but is in the bottom half of the conference in scoring, rushing, passing and total offense. Arizona has run the ball very well this year, and with a week off following a close loss to Utah, the Wildcats will find themselves stealing a win from Colorado. Arizona 28, Colorado 27
Bonagura: Colorado has one of the most talented groups of receivers in the conference, but there have been some key drops recently that need to get cleaned up. If the Buffs want to remain around in the South, this is close to a must win. Colorado 35, Arizona 24
Aschoff: The Utes have to be the quietest unbeaten team in the country, right? They find themselves at the top of the Pac-12 South entering October, but to be honest, the Utes haven't really played anyone, and the health of quarterback Tyler Huntley is in question. Stanford has, and while it's still trying to find its defensive footing, the legs of Bryce Love will be too much for the Utes to hold the Cardinal down. Stanford 27, Utah 24
Bonagura: It's unlikely that Huntley will be ready to go by Saturday, but with the way Love has been running the ball for Stanford, it might not matter. Stanford 31, Utah 28
Aschoff: For some reason, we just aren't talking about the Huskies much. They might not have played the toughest schedule, but they've taken care of business and they've done it with authority. They'll continue that trend this weekend against a scrappy Cal team. Washington 38, California 21
Bonagura: The Huskies are a machine right now and this one has the makings of their sixth straight lopsided win of the season. Washington 44, California 17
2017 picks records: Bonagura 35-8, Aschoff 35-8
