Pac-12 Football Recreation: Week 2 on the horizon

Week 1 left us with more answers than questions after an exciting first slate of action yet we’re still a bit confused on what this Utah team will bring to the table.

Utah lost their game against Utah State, 34-16 and fell from the rankings all the way from No. 14 to No. 26 in the AP Top 25. Fortunately, for the Utes, they get to host FCS West in Salt Lake City this week.

Utah QB Tyler Huntley will look to rebound after a disappointing first start to the 2019 recreated season, completing just 15-of-30 passes for 156 yards with a touchdown and a pick. Zack Moss, at times, carried the Utes offense with 19 carries for 99 yards and six first-down carries, so maybe Utah and head coach Kyle Whittingham can get Moss a few more touches.

Elsewhere in the Pac-12 — we get our first look at the 2019 recreated version of Stanford and Arizona State. The Cardinal will be in action against San Jose State while the Sun Devils take on FCS Southwest. Our detailed preview begins there:

FCS Southwest @ Arizona State

Jayden Daniels is set to make his first start against the Fusion as the true freshman signal-caller will get his first taste of Division I football. Fortunately for Daniels, he has a star running back and star receiver at his disposal in RB Eno Benjamin and WR Brandon Aiyuk, who both should hear their names called in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Herbstreit pick: Arizona State

FCS Midwest @ Colorado

Fresh off their hard-fought victory over Colorado State, the Buffaloes will get the weekend off, perhaps, against FCS Midwest. The Tuskers did an admirable job, however, of hanging tough with Kansas State in Week 1 so they may present some challenges if the erratic Steven Montez has a rough game. Still, this has a Colorado W written all over it.

Herbstreit pick: Colorado

FCS West @ Cal

The Golden Bears hit the win column in one of the two Pac-12 games against Power-5 opposition in Week 1 as Chase Garbers looked like a seasoned veteran at quarterback and RB Christopher Brown Jr. ran for nearly 200 yards on the ground. The Cal secondary is among the best in the nation and they proved it against Northwestern. Under 100 yards of total offense is in sight for them against FCS West.

Herbstreit pick: Cal

FCS West @ Utah

The Utes will look to get back on track in the 2019 recreated campaign after dropping their Week 1 game against in-state rival Utah State. Huntley and Moss will be needed to right the ship after their defense allowed 34 points against the Aggies.

Herbstreit pick: Utah

Oregon @ Virginia

This perhaps it the game of the weekend as the Oregon Ducks will have to compete against the high-flying Bryce Perkins and the rest of the Cavaliers offense. Look for Deommodore Lenoir, Jevon Holland and the rest of the talented Ducks secondary to have a big game and for Justin Herbert to find his favorite target Jacob Breeland, early and often, in this one.

Herbstreit pick: Oregon

Arizona @ UNLV

The Wildcats and QB Khalil Tate head to Vegas to take on the Rebels in the desert. The heat shouldn’t be much of a factor for Arizona as much as the rushing attack of the UNLV offense may be. Tate and Co. will have to bring their A-game to keep up with UNLV and their defense will have to play like they did against FCS West when they intercepted QB Jackson Terry three times.

Herbstreit pick: Arizona

San Jose State @ Stanford

A full preview of this game has been written, thanks to our friends at RuleOfTree, so go check it out there.

Herbstreit pick: Stanford

Hawaii @ Oregon State

The Beavers didn’t light up the scoreboard like you thought they would against FCS West despite putting up 48 points. Jake Luton only threw two touchdowns passes but it was the rushing duo of Artavis Pierce and Jermar Jefferson that totaled 224 rushing yards and four combined touchdowns between the two of them. USC threw all over Hawaii in Week 1 so this may be a time for Luton to air it out some more against the Rainbow Warriors.

Herbstreit pick: Oregon State

Washington State @ USC

The Trojans took to the air against Hawaii, with great success a week ago as true freshman QB Kedon Slovis had the fifth-most passing yards of any quarterback in Week 1. He’ll be tested against a talented Washington State secondary in this one as they limited Auburn QB Bo Nix to just 129 yards and no touchdowns in their victory over the Tigers. Their high-flying offense saw Anthony Gordon even exit with an injury but he should be back healthy against the Trojans. Tackle Abraham Lucas is questionable in this one as he’ll prove vital for the Cougars pass protection against USC’s feared defensive front.

Herbstreit pick: Washington State

Off this week: UCLA (1-0), Washington (1-0)

Herbstreit’s overall after Week 1: 8-2

Week 2 Herbstreit picks:
Washington State @ USC — Washington State
FCS Southwest @ Arizona State — Arizona State
FCS Midwest @ Colorado — Colorado
FCS West @ Cal — Cal
FCS West @ Utah — Utah
Oregon @ Virginia — Oregon
Arizona @ UNLV — Arizona
San Jose State @ Stanford — Stanford
Hawaii @ Oregon State — Oregon State

Reminder, this is a fictional take on our recreation of the 2019 NCAA football season using last year’s updated rosters and playing the games in NCAA Football 14 on a Playstation3. For more information, check out our intro story.