Pac-12 football picks, week 5: Stanford, Oregon, OSU, ASU, Washington the winners?

What are your picks for each Pac-12 game this week and why?

Sean Reynolds, Block U

Oregon State over Colorado - Buffaloes are slowly improving, but not enough to knock off the Beavers (I think it'll be close, tho).

Washington over Arizona - Seattle is a tough place to play.

Stanford over Washington State - Wazzu bouncing back, but the Cardinal is just too much for 'em.

Oregon over Cal - No real need to go into this pick.

ASU over USC - Sun Devils tough at home and USC has way too many question marks all around.

Jack Follman, Pacific Takes

Arizona State over USC - The Sun Devils will struggle to stop USC's run game, but have a little more firepower on offense and are at home.

Washington over Arizona - Seattle is a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, and B.J. Denker has done nothing to prove that he can throw the ball. The Huskies offense should also easily put up points on Arizona's defense.

Stanford over Washington State - I think the Cougars' improved defense will make this one a very tight game, but I don't like the idea of Connor Halliday throwing against the Cardinal defense. He will throw a couple interceptions that will give the Cardinal the edge.

Oregon over Cal. The Bears haven't been able to stop the run yet this season and bring a true freshman quarterback to Autzen, this one should be over quickly.

Oregon State over Colorado. The Beavers can't run the ball or stop anyone, but their passing game will shred Colorado whose offense won't be able to keep up with the Beavers in a high-scoring affair.

Phil Fraser, Ralphie Report

Oregon over Cal, because Oregon is much better at football than Cal is. Analysis! The biggest question will be whether or not Cal can force a punt.

Stanford over Washington State. Washington State's been better than I thought, and Stanford's been worse, but the throttling they laid on ASU shows me they're rounding into form. And frankly, WSU= better and Stanford= worse still leaves a pretty large gap between the two.

USC over Arizona State. I went back and forth on this one, because at some point USC will stop sucking, and ASU i pretty beat up right now. Even with an angry ASU team at home, I chose USC.

Colorado over Oregon State, because it's my legal requirement and solemn duty.

Patrick Flower, Pacific Takes

12pm PDT on Pac-12 Network: Oregon State 38, Colorado 34 - It'll be interesting to see how Colorado performs after a 2 week break. Paul Richardson is averaging over 200 rec yards/game. Mannion wills his team to victory over the visiting Buffs.

4pm PDT on FOX: Washington 28, Arizona 17. Both teams put up gaudy numbers vs inferior competition. Here's to thinking the offenses cool off a bit in each teams Pac-12 opener. UW takes the cake in front of the home crowd behind a strong day from RB Bishop Sankey.

7pm PDT on ESPN: Stanford 34, Wazzu 24. WSU's defense is vastly improved. Unfortunately for the Cougs, Connor Halliday is throwing red-zone INTs like its going out of style. Unless the Cougs can capitalize on every opporunity this will end up in typical Cardinal, grind-it-out, style.

7:30pm PDT on ESPN2: Arizona State 24, USC 17. USC's defense will slow the Sun Devils down but for how long and will USC score enough points to score? The answer is not forever and no.

7:30pm PDT on Pac-12 Network: Oregon 63, Cal 20. Cal is terrible on defense - #121 in total defense (out of 123 FBS teams). Oregon is one of the best in the nation offensively - #2 in total offense. You do the math.

Connor Pelton, Building the Dam

Oregon State over Colorado: The Buffaloes have a decent chance at pulling the upset, but I think they'll be a bit rusty playing their first football in three weeks.

Washington over Arizona: There are benefits to playing a somewhat decent non-conference schedule, and Arizona will learn that the hard way against Washington.

Stanford over Washington State: At the end of the night, the strength and talent of the Cardinal will win out. But expect the Cougars to keep it close for three quarters.

Arizona State over USC: Toughest game to pick this week. The Trojan defense will keep this close, but the Sun Devil offense can't be kept down for the entire game. Group that with the home-field advantage and I like ASU to eek out a win.

Oregon over California: Just too much talent. Over after 15 minutes.

Josh Schlichter, Pacific Takes

OSU over Colorado (Buffs need to muster up some defense to slow down the Beavs)

Washington over Arizona (very close game, but home field advantage tips this one over to the Huskies)

Stanford over WSU (even if WSU's offense can crack Stanford's defense, the Cardinal offense is just too difficult for the Cougs to defend)

Oregon over Cal (Cal makes it closer than expected in second half)

ASU over USC (low scoring game but SC's offense will have to really turn things around to outscore the Sun Devils)