I'm a New Pac guy and even I know it's not happening. Boise and WSU are not covering at all. OSU most likely isn't either. The gap has just gotten too wide. I WANT them to cover, I highly doubt they will.
I hope they win outright. I just think these are games Oregon usually uses to prove a point and this year they're trying to prove they're #1. BSU might have a chance to cover if it were in Boise but I really think they're going to get boat raced. They just aren't the same Boise of old or even of 2 years ago. The NFL sleepers and especially the NFL caliber players are all on P4 rosters now. Hope I'm wrong though.
I wish conferences or the NCAA did scheduling. UO should have to play at BSU this year; 'Bama and others shouldn't get 7 or 8 home games. In hoops, Duke refuses to play mid-majors in their state on the road. The NCAA is one big yawn.
Oregon will play a Power4 non-conference opponent on the road next week.
In 2018, Oregon and BSU agreed to a 3-game contract. At Oregon in 2024 and 2026. At BSU in 2025. The agreement was an exchange of $300,000 from both hosts, then BSU would receive $800,000 for the 2026 game.
The 2025 game in Boise was canceled. Why? Because Oregon paid a buyout price so Oregon and Oregon State could play due to public pressure and OSU scrambling to fill game slots in 2024 and 2025.
Oregon paid BSU $2.6 million in additional compensation and buyout costs (including adjustments involving other scheduled opponents like Oregon at Hawaii being canceled) to clear room for Oregon State in 2024 (Corvallis) and 2025.
The cost to Oregon to make room for Oregon State in 2024 and 2025 has generally been forgotten.
Ducks would have been fine without it. Beavs were in a tough place getting schedule together for those seasons. Ducks ended up paying $$$ to help the Beavs get a schedule together. There was quite a few newspaper columns about it at the time, but quickly forgotten.
I think most Ducks fans would like to see a rotation of former Pac teams filling that schedule slot: UA, ASU, Cal, Stanford, Utah.
BTW, I think it's pretty well established that the Ducks--like most teams--make decisions according to their own best interests. Despite the price tag, I don't see anything different here.
The reasons? Perhaps some PR damage control after the implosion.
But I suspect it's mostly because UO fans were already mourning the loss of tradition with the re-alignment...
It is a Big12 member. They beat Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl as recently as 2021. Oregon State would give almost anything to have that Big12 logo at Reser.
That crew of coaches and players who came over from North Texas won't be an easy out. QB Mestemaker led the nation in passing yards last season.
Very interesting how you think none of the B1G schools cover. But I do get how UCLA loses. USC and Washington can lose by 1000, if it were me. But I still think they’ll cover. 🤣
OREGON covers the -24.5. Both teams have new O-lines, but Oregon has the superior athletes, and Boise's best defender in 2025 is now at LSU.
HOUSTON, with Connor Weigman back at QB, easily covers the -21.
The Fresno starting QB has thrown seven passes in his career to date. SC starters on both sides of the ball play more of the game, and SC covers the -23.5.
UCLA wins a virtual toss-up game in Berkeley. Chesney and his staff have experience that Tosh and his assistants do not have.
It's great for West Coast football that this game is a sellout. (If the fight songs sound the same, it's not because you've had too much to drink. 😁)
It's a rotten Apple Cup for WSU; UW covers.
ND coach Marcus Freeman played for Luke Fickle at Ohio State and coached for Luke at Cincinnati. I agree that ND wins, but Wisconsin, with Colton Joseph 😍 at QB, covers.
LSU covers against Clemson but not against the SEC in federal court.
I think that Chesney was a great hire for UCLA but JKS will be the difference-maker. UCLA will struggle this year but will show improvement and become more of a force next year.
Go Cougs! Beat the Dawgs.
I’m picking which Washington score I’ll add the ‘State’ to! 😂
Now now. :)
Go Cougs!
So you are saying Washington is an absolute sure thing?
“The pick: Washington 35, Washington 17“
I just bet the farm!
You are so behind the times. I just bet the Data Center.
well played
UW wins... but you also win.
Bet the farm, but don’t bet on “The Farm”. Miami rolls in a quiet Stanford Stadium.
Stanford Steve joked that Miami was preparing to play its first home game in the Bay Area.
Really tough opener for the Beavers. I just hope they look to be improved over last year with no special team gaffes and play with energy.
Go Washington, beat Washington! ;-)
That would be something... but UW wins.
Go Cougs!
The Cougs or the Huskies, which? I am rooting for the Cougs !
Picking 4 out of 5 NewPac teams playing ranked opponents to cover on the road
Bold
I think the spreads are too fat. I like a lot of the dogs.
I'm a New Pac guy and even I know it's not happening. Boise and WSU are not covering at all. OSU most likely isn't either. The gap has just gotten too wide. I WANT them to cover, I highly doubt they will.
I think those spreads are fat. But let's see.
I think you are drinking too much Gould Kool Aid, but we will see
30-0 USC over Fresno at the half
BSU is most likely to cover.
I hope they win outright. I just think these are games Oregon usually uses to prove a point and this year they're trying to prove they're #1. BSU might have a chance to cover if it were in Boise but I really think they're going to get boat raced. They just aren't the same Boise of old or even of 2 years ago. The NFL sleepers and especially the NFL caliber players are all on P4 rosters now. Hope I'm wrong though.
Bold or hopeful? Probably both.
I am a Duck but I was shocked by the spread against BSU.
Boise was one of the best teams UO played two years ago. Good coach and good culture equals a tough match to me.
You may be right. I just have a hunch that the Ducks will be even more dominant this year. And maybe Boise State not quite as good.
Gotta love the way you cover all the bases in your predicted score for the Washington-Washington State game John!!!! Very creative.
Well... my mind was definitely on Washington.
Washington has always head a problem “beating itself!”
that was good
Thank you for taking the comment in the fun spirit it was intended. Believe me, I’ve been there before! Keep it JC.
I wish conferences or the NCAA did scheduling. UO should have to play at BSU this year; 'Bama and others shouldn't get 7 or 8 home games. In hoops, Duke refuses to play mid-majors in their state on the road. The NCAA is one big yawn.
Oregon will play a Power4 non-conference opponent on the road next week.
In 2018, Oregon and BSU agreed to a 3-game contract. At Oregon in 2024 and 2026. At BSU in 2025. The agreement was an exchange of $300,000 from both hosts, then BSU would receive $800,000 for the 2026 game.
The 2025 game in Boise was canceled. Why? Because Oregon paid a buyout price so Oregon and Oregon State could play due to public pressure and OSU scrambling to fill game slots in 2024 and 2025.
Oregon paid BSU $2.6 million in additional compensation and buyout costs (including adjustments involving other scheduled opponents like Oregon at Hawaii being canceled) to clear room for Oregon State in 2024 (Corvallis) and 2025.
The cost to Oregon to make room for Oregon State in 2024 and 2025 has generally been forgotten.
This is just so sad and terrible! Those poor Ducks. Why can't things ever go their way?
As far as any public pressure, my guess is that it came mainly from Duck fans. Most Beavers would be happy to not see another Civil War.
So relieved we at least get a two year reprieve.
Ducks would have been fine without it. Beavs were in a tough place getting schedule together for those seasons. Ducks ended up paying $$$ to help the Beavs get a schedule together. There was quite a few newspaper columns about it at the time, but quickly forgotten.
I think most Ducks fans would like to see a rotation of former Pac teams filling that schedule slot: UA, ASU, Cal, Stanford, Utah.
That sounds great.
BTW, I think it's pretty well established that the Ducks--like most teams--make decisions according to their own best interests. Despite the price tag, I don't see anything different here.
The reasons? Perhaps some PR damage control after the implosion.
But I suspect it's mostly because UO fans were already mourning the loss of tradition with the re-alignment...
Of which the Civil War played a big role.
Okie State is a P4 football team in name only.
They now have a pile of NIL money and 91 new players.
It’s a brand new team, literally.
It is a Big12 member. They beat Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl as recently as 2021. Oregon State would give almost anything to have that Big12 logo at Reser.
That crew of coaches and players who came over from North Texas won't be an easy out. QB Mestemaker led the nation in passing yards last season.
Okie State just lost to Tulsa, by two touchdowns. Tulsa was 4-8 last year. OSU's hotshot QB averaged five yards an attempt.
Brand-new team that still sucks.
Very interesting how you think none of the B1G schools cover. But I do get how UCLA loses. USC and Washington can lose by 1000, if it were me. But I still think they’ll cover. 🤣
Let's see how it goes.
If Oregon's defense is as good as they're saying out of camp, no chance Boise puts up 17...
Just fired up for games to finally be back...
Might happen if Boise State gets a late meaningless touchdown. Happens a lot in lopsided games.
See CFP game last December. Lanning had to put his starters back into the game to prevent JMU from getting too close.
Take nothing for granted. Halftime Thursday evening: U Mass 24-7 at Rutgers.
U Mass was 0-12 last season. Since moving to FBS in 2012, UMass is 28-142, a 19.7% win percentage that is by far the worst by any team since then.
Final 37-21. Yes, U Mass was 0-12 last season. And, 0-16 going back to end of 2024.
U Mass QB was 18 of 21 passing. 3 TDs, 6 for 40 rushing. But, Rutgers problem was in their own O-line.
Uh, Rutgers still gets a full share of Big Ten revenue share.
Rutgers paid U Mass $1.55 million for today's game.
LOL! Paid to get smoked.
I wonder what will happen to Rutgers when the media packages are up?
Ducks favored by 24.5 points over Boise State??? Really?? That seems very high. I think the Ducks will win but I would take the points for BSU.
Think it's too big of a number. Back-door cover is there.
Lanning typically looks for wins and protects his players. Doesn't seem to care about spreads.
But Duck players are likely motivated to dominate this year. Talent wants what it wants. New coordinators want to prove themselves.
This feels bad for the Broncos. Maybe four touchdowns bad.
Thank you, JC, for the Week 1 picks -
FWIW (not much), my take on a few of your picks.
OREGON covers the -24.5. Both teams have new O-lines, but Oregon has the superior athletes, and Boise's best defender in 2025 is now at LSU.
HOUSTON, with Connor Weigman back at QB, easily covers the -21.
The Fresno starting QB has thrown seven passes in his career to date. SC starters on both sides of the ball play more of the game, and SC covers the -23.5.
UCLA wins a virtual toss-up game in Berkeley. Chesney and his staff have experience that Tosh and his assistants do not have.
It's great for West Coast football that this game is a sellout. (If the fight songs sound the same, it's not because you've had too much to drink. 😁)
It's a rotten Apple Cup for WSU; UW covers.
ND coach Marcus Freeman played for Luke Fickle at Ohio State and coached for Luke at Cincinnati. I agree that ND wins, but Wisconsin, with Colton Joseph 😍 at QB, covers.
LSU covers against Clemson but not against the SEC in federal court.
BEAT BOISE!
I think that Chesney was a great hire for UCLA but JKS will be the difference-maker. UCLA will struggle this year but will show improvement and become more of a force next year.
I should add that Chesney is the first good hire for UCLA in several years IMHO.