Well here we are. College Football training camps are back this week. The Beavers officially get goin Friday in Corvallis. A ton of positive vibes and anticipation about the season for obvious reasons. But the folks who predict games are giving the Beavers basically no chance to compete in their opener at Ohio State. We'll get to that game in a moment.....but let's go through the Pac-12 openers in order and see where the conference stands and who has cupcake openers and who is in a real battle on opening day.
THURSDAY AUGUST 30 5:PM PACIFIC ON PAC-12 NETWORKS
Weber State at Utah
This game has the Utes as prohibitive favorites battling an FCS school at home. No line.
FRIDAY AUGUST 31 6:PM ON FS1
San Diego State at Stanford
The Cardinal listed as 14 and a half point favorites in Palo Alto. But the Aztecs could make this interesting coming off a 10-3 season and an appearance in the Armed Forces Bowl losing to Army 42-35
FRIDAY AUGUST 31 6:30 PM on CBS Sports Network
Colorado vs. Colorado State- Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver
The Buffs are six point favorites to beat in in-state rivals. Colorado State looked impressive against Oregon State in their stadium opener last September. Pretty much a toss up here.
SEPTEMBER 1 9:00 AM on ABC
Oregon State at Ohio State
The trip to Columbus will be ugly according to the prognosticators....Oregon State currently a 38-point underdog. I think Jonathan Smith's debut as a head coach will bring some surprises and this one will be closer than some people think.
SEPTEMBER 1 12:30 PM on CBS Sports Network
Washington State at Wyoming in Laramie
This could be a tricky one for Mike Leach and company with a lot of changes on both sides of the football. Right now Cougs are 3 and a half point favorites on the road.
SEPTEMBER 1 12:30 PM ABC
Washington Huskies at Auburn in Atlanta
Chris Petersen will have a new offensive coordinator in Bush Hamdan. The odds makers say the SEC team is three points better than Washington.
SEPTEMBER 1 1:00PM FOX
North Carolina at California
To me California is once again a mystery team heading into the 2018 season. Last year, they went into North Carolina and pulled off a 35-30 upset....something the Heels will remember. The Bears are six-point favorites at home.
SEPTEMBER 1 1:00 PM Pac-12 Networks
UNLV AT USC
The Trojans are 26-point favorites at the Coliseum. Will be interesting who will shine at QB for USC. Matt Fink, Jack Sears or JT Daniels.
SEPTEMBER 1 4:00pm ESPN
Cincinnati at UCLA
Chip Kelly is back. How will he transform UCLA into a Pac-12 title winner? It should be a soft landing at the Rose Bowl for the former Duck coach. Cinci 4-8 last season. Bruins 16 and a half point favorites.
SEPTEMBER 1 5:PM PAC-12 Networks
Bowling Green at Oregon
The Mario Cristobal era features a battle against the Bowling Green Falcons....talk about soft landings. Bowling Green State University was 2-10 last season and 0-5 at home. Oregon 30- point favorites.
September 1 7:30 PM FS1
UTSA VS ASU
The trip from San Antonio will be easy for the roadrunners. But the cozy temperatures in the Alamo Dome will be not so cozy in Tempe. Last year University of Texas San Antonio was 6-5. ASU and Herm Edwards make their home debut. Sun Devils favored by 18 and a half.
September 1 7:45 PM ESPN
BYU VS ARIZONA IN TUCSON
The Cougars and Wildcats......What kind of offense will BYU show....they had none in 2017....Arizona 13 and a half point favorites