Every single Pac-12 team plays this week and the action starts earlier than normal with a Thursday night showdown. College Gameday is going to Pullman, Colorado is a 16 point underdog, and UCLA might get back to back wins after starting the year 0-5.
Thursday: Stanford vs. Arizona State
Arizona State returns home looking for some magic at home similar to what they had earlier in the year when they beat Michigan State. Stanford has started losing steam after back to back losses including a 2 interception performance for K.J. Costello against Utah. The key for the Sun Devils defensively is to try and eliminate the big play through the air. For the most part, Stanford has been underwhelming in their run game and had to rely on big receivers on the outside. If Arizona State can contain Costello’s arm they have a good chance. QB Manny Wilkins should be good to go to play and ASU has played a good defense, he has struggled. Stanford has an all around okay defense so it will be interesting how Wilkins plays and if N’Keal Harry can pick up some steam after being held in check the last few weeks. This should be a huge game for Eno Benjamin as he should be able to find some holes and will be relied on in serious situations. On a Thursday night primetime game with a hostile crowd, Arizona State gets a huge win.
Arizona State 34, Stanford 28
Colorado vs. #15 Washington
After starting off the year on an all time high, Colorado came back down to earth after a road loss to USC. Washington is in a similar boat after a back and forth slugfest with Oregon, they fell short in OT. Going back to Seattle, it’s tough to gauge how well each other team will play based off of last week’s result. PFF Midseason All-American Laviska Shenault, led the Buffaloes in rushing and receiving yards last week, but it was not enough. Washington comes out playing angry with Ben Burr-Kirven leading the team in tackles and pick off Montez twice. Jake Browning has his coming out party and the game gets out of hand.
Washington 42, Colorado 20
Cal vs. Oregon State
With the constant inconsistency on offense and lack of ability to stop much of anybody, this is not the same Cal team we saw 3 weeks ago. Brandon Mcilwain has been effective in the running game, but 703 yards with 2 touchdowns and 7 interceptions is not ideal. The versatility of Patrick Laird is good to see, but there’s a good reason this game is Oregon State’s best chance at a win for the rest of the year. The combo of Jermar Jefferson and Artavious Pierce lights up the scoreboard as Oregon State pulls off the upset at home and beats California for their first conference win of the year.
Oregon State 31, Cal 17
Oregon vs. Washington State
In possibly the biggest game of the 5 years (outside of The Apple Cup), Washington State has a chance to create some havoc in the conference standings. It will be a battle of two extremely talented Quarterbacks in Justin Herbert and Gardner Minshew. Two teams with terrific offenses and suspect defense should have this game being a shootout and a game Oregon has to defend the sticks or else Minshew will torch their secondary. Washington State needs a resume boosting win and Oregon is the only real shot for a chance to make it to the CFP and a win will get them just a little bit closer. Oregon survives and advances as the Ducks squeak it out in their 3rd OT game of the year.
Oregon 48, Washington State 45, OT.
USC vs. Utah
Two teams that are trending upward in the conference will be facing off as Tyler Huntley has played extremely well, as he showcased against Washington (who possibly has the best defense in the conference). J.T. Daniels Is showcasing his skill and the offense is coming together at a very good time. Utah is still a solid team and will be dangerous to any team they play against for the rest of the season. USC continues their really good stretch and picks up a really good conference win.
USC 34, Utah 21
Arizona vs. UCLA
The matchup between two first year coaches at their schools in Kevin Sumlin and Chip Kelly. UCLA put a pounding on Cal last week as these last two weeks, they’ve played really well. DTR is starting to get things rolling, the offensive playmakers in Jordan Kelly and Caleb Wilson are starting to get comfortable and make plays. Both defenses are still struggling, but DTR’s confidence is starting to become apparent and playing in the Coliseum, UCLA pulls off the upset once again and gets back to back wins and get Bruin fans just a little bit more comfortable with Chip Kelly.
UCLA 37, Arizona 24
