This is a tricky game. Cal isn’t good, but they’re not bad, either. On the road, I think this one stays closer than it should be. I think DJU will be more efficient, Smith will blow an extra point, and it will lead to the Beavs winning but not covering.

27-21 Beavs.

Must win game?……….You Bet!
Go Beavs, need solid D and DJU to at least be a good game manager.

The bottom line is I don’t trust DJU vs good competition. I’m not saying he won’t perform well. He has the ability to do that, but he’s just really flawed mechanically. Throws off the back foot too much when there’s no pressure is the big one. Doesn’t roll out, doesn’t scramble, etc. I’m not convinced we’ll be able to run on Utah, and I’m not convinced DJU can win the game.

That said, I don’t want to get caught on up one game’s results. We know how that goes.

This is a prove me wrong game for the Beavs.

Utah 28, Beavs 17

Go Beavs!

We should win by three. But the final prediction remains the same for “the Smith factor”…

26-24, Beavs

It’s hard to pick the Beavs in this one given the Cougs beat Wisconsin, but I’m sticking with the undefeated rage season until it doesn’t work. I’m going to assume the past few weeks of lackadaisical play is normal for tune up games, and now that conference play has begun the Beavs turn it on 100%. I’ll say this: I’m not as confident in the undefeated season after seeing flaws in DJU’s game and the overall lackadaisical play. What I do like is despite that uninspired play they’re getting pressure on the QB consistently and generally have had sound tackling and overall fundamentals. Things like that win tough road games.

26-24 Beavs. Gotta factor in Smith botching at least one extra point.