Pac-12 bowl picks: Utah handles Ohio State; WSU wins the Sun; Oregon and ASU struggle

Within a disappointing bowl season for the Pac-12, which has no playoff participants and only one New Year’s Six team, lies opportunity.

Expectations are low: The conference is an underdog in five of its six matchups. If it can conjure an upside surprise, there’s momentum available heading into the offseason.

And it could use some momentum.

The regular season did nothing to boost its reputation.

The recruiting season looks dark and stormy.

Yes, coaching changes have provided some hope, but the on-field results always serve as judge and jury.

Over the next month, we’ll see the evidence.

All times Pacific
Odds taken from BetMGM

Regular season: 39-39-2
Five-star special: 5-9

LA Bowl: Oregon State (-7) vs. Utah State
Kickoff: Dec. 18 (4:30 p.m., ABC)
Comment: Difficult situation for the Beavers. In fact, it’s close to a no-win situation. They’re substantial favorites against a sneaky-good opponent that beat Washington State and San Diego State and will be extremely motivated to topple another Pac-12 school. OSU should bring its best effort for the program’s first bowl appearance in eight years, but is the defense, which has played poorly away from Reser Stadium, up to the task? The Beavers must establish their running game against a porous Utah State front seven that allows 4.4 yards per rush. We like the Aggies and the points. We love the Over (66). Pick: Utah State

Holiday Bowl: UCLA (+1) vs. N.C. State
Kickoff: Dec. 28 (5 p.m., FOX)
Comment: The line opened with NCSU favored by 2.5 points and has since dropped — in some places, the Bruins are a slight favorite. Either way, there’s every reason to expect this to be in doubt with five minutes remaining. The Wolfpack has one of the top low-profile coaches in the country in Dave Doeren. His staff will craft a defensive strategy that attempts to limit UCLA’s running game and forces Dorian Thompson-Robinson to make plays from the pocket. But UCLA’s fate is likely tied to a wobbly defense that will face one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in Devin Leary, who has 35 touchdowns,  just five interceptions and an efficiency rating that ranks in the top-20 nationally. Defensive coordinator Jerry Azzinaro’s unit is once again in the spotlight. Pick: N.C. State

Alamo Bowl: Oregon (+4) vs. Oklahoma
Kickoff: Dec. 29 (6:15 p.m., ESPN)
Comment: The ‘Interim Coach’ Bowl will match Bob Stoops on the Sooners’ sideline against Oregon fill-in Bryan McClendon. The former has won a national championship, but the latter isn’t entirely new to the role: McClendon served as Georgia’s interim coach for a bowl game six years ago. The dynamics are difficult to predict given the departures of Lincoln Riley and Mario Cristobal, especially with regard to focus and preparation. But we know Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown is struggling. We know Kayvon Thibodeaux isn’t playing, and we know the Ducks are battered and bruised. Neither team landed where it hoped in the postseason. But when urgency wanes, it’s easier to play offense than defense, and the Sooners have a better offense. Pick: Oklahoma

Las Vegas Bowl: Arizona State (+7) vs. Wisconsin
Kickoff: Dec. 30 (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Comment: The first edition of the upgraded Las Vegas Bowl, which has a new home (Allegiant Stadium), a new participant (the Big Ten) and a new date (post-Christmas). The Sun Devils will be without their top running backs: Chip Trayanum is in the transfer portal while star Rachaad White has decided to focus on the NFL Draft. That’s problematic for the Sun Devils, because they failed to muster a consistent passing game and relied heavily on White for their offense down the stretch. (Third-year starter Jayden Daniels has thrown 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions.) This is a typical Wisconsin team that prefers the power running game and plays stout defense. The closest Pac-12 equivalent is Utah, and that’s suboptimal for the Sun Devils. Pick: Wisconsin