The Pac-12 have a handful of nonconference matchups this week with other AQ conferences, which means it might be worthwhile to check in with what the other ESPN.com bloggers though.
So we did.
Big 12 blogger David Ubben
No. 21 Missouri 20, Arizona State 17: Missouri is actually the underdog in this one by a touchdown, but Arizona State is somehow unranked in The Associated Press poll. The Sun Devils are great, but Missouri grabs an early lead in the desert and James Franklin's legs prove to be a huge asset.
No. 9 Oklahoma State 41, Arizona 31: We may have another Big 12 nonconference thriller on our hands. After Baylor and TCU put on an air show on ESPN on Friday night, expect the Cowboys and Wildcats to do the same with a national ESPN broadcast on Thursday. Once again, Justin Blackmon gets the best of Arizona, but saves himself a celebration penalty this time around.
Our double-shot of Big Ten bloggers
OREGON STATE at NO. 8 WISCONSIN
Adam Rittenberg: The Beavers rarely fare well in early season big games, and you have to wonder about their confidence level after the Sac State debacle. Wisconsin's defense is hungry and makes a statement. ... Wisconsin 35, Oregon State 13
Brian Bennett: I could see the Badgers taking this one too lightly with that Sacramento State score fresh in their minds. But Montee Ball and James White still run wild. ... Wisconsin 42, Oregon State 20
ACC blogger Heather Dinich
Stanford 41, Duke 21. Stanford wins easily, but Duke will score some points. It’s one thing to come across the country to play a bowl game, it’s another to do it in a weekend. Still, the Blue Devils will be overmatched and won’t be able to slow down quarterback Andrew Luck.
So the only quibble is over the Missouri-Arizona State game, where I picked the Sun Devils.
We shall see.