Unless Wazzou can win out, the Pac 12’s hopes of CFP comes crashing down. UCLA goes back to back and Utah continues their hot streak.
Stanford 20, Arizona State 13
Stanford continues to stay in the hunt as they get a good home win as their defense stepped up against a really good offense and limited them to just 13 points. Manny Wilkins was picked off as well as N’Keal Harry off a trick play on a ball that was underthrown. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside had 7 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. 3 Turnovers, 3 sacks, and dominating Time of Possession was the key to success for the Cardinal. Arizona State continues to fall losing 4 of their last 5 and their slate doesn’t get much easier. Stanford has both Washington teams back to back. But after that, they should be favored in every other game. Stanford is still in it for a chance in the Pac 12 title game, but it won’t be an easy task.
#25 Washington State 34, #12 Stanford 20
On one of the biggest stages Washington State has been on in quite some time, Gardner Minshew aired it out for 323 yards and 4 touchdowns as Washington State’s defense did just enough to pull away with a humongous win for the Cougars. Although Oregon did pick off Minshew twice, they didn’t create enough pressure to stop Minshew as they didn’t get to Minshew once and only had one Tackle for Loss. 3rd down conversions is another key to a win for Washington State as they were 9-14 on third down, while Oregon was just 5-16. The slim chance that is left for the conference goes through Pullman, Washington with Stanford next week and the Apple Cup on November, 23rd at home. Oregon will look to bounce back on the road in Tucson against the Wildcats of Arizona without Khalil Tate.
#15 Washington 27, Colorado 13
In a big game, Washington came through and their defense once again came to play. Ben Burr-Kirven has been recognized many weeks by PFF and good reason why. He finished with 15 tackles and his first interception of the year. Laviska Shenault did not play and Montez badly missed him. Montez was 17-28 for 144 yards and a touchdown to Daniel Arias on his first career catch from 37 yards out. There wasn’t a ton of fireworks in this game, but it was not needed as neither team eclipsed 350 yards and both were below 6.5 yards per pass. Washington has to play catchup and win out (including a win against Washington State) to make the Pac 12 title game. Colorado has a couple of winnable games left on the schedule, they could finish the year 8-4 and maybe 9-3 if Shenault can come back and put a jolt back into that offense.
Cal 49, Oregon State 7
Cal came into this game ready to play as they shut the door on any chance of them losing this game. Connor Garbers’s best game of the year so far has him 17/26 for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns. In what seemed like Oregon State’s rushing attack would be the best position group on the field, it was actually Patrick Laird that stole the show on the ground. On 22 carries, he rushed for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns as he was getting holes early and often. The Cal defense was flying around, forcing 7 sacks and 12 Tackles for Loss. Most importantly, they limited the duo of Pierce and Jefferson to just 78 yards rushing. After dropping 3 straight, it was key for the Golden Bears to get a win on the road. With the slate coming off, none of these upcoming games are guaranteed wins as they’ll more than likely be underdogs in all 5 of their remaining games. As for the Beavers, they travel to Boulder to face Colorado.
Utah 41, USC 28
Utah came from out of nowhere and torched that USC defense over and over finishing up with 541 yards. It was Tyler Huntley’s best game of his collegiate career considering the opponent. He was 22/29 for 341 yards and 4 touchdowns as he threw all 4 of those touchdowns to 4 different receivers. While on the other side of the spectrum, J.T. Daniels finished with the worst game of his career finishing with 89 yards, two interceptions, and a 5.4 QBR. Matt Fink played well in relief throwing a touchdown pass and having 2 touchdowns drives for the Trojans to make this game look closer than what it really was. Zach Moss was able to run the ball as well as he finished with 136 yards. After being under the radar for the first third of the year, Utah is coming strong within these past 3 weeks and show they have something to prove. Utah is on the road against UCLA on a Friday night in what should be a really good game. USC comes back home to play Arizona State.
UCLA 31, Arizona 30
Rhett Rodriguez in his first start hung around with UCLA, but 2 costly interceptions and a turnover by J.J. Taylor gave UCLA opportunities to win this game. With DTR getting injured, Wilton Speight came in and delivered when they needed him. He finished with 204 yards and 2 touchdowns to Felton and fellow Michigan transfer, Devin Asiasi. UCLA rattles off back to back wins in hoping they can get out of the bottom part of the conference. The chance of a bowl game is nearly impossible, but ruining a couple of teams down the stretch is a possibility with Arizona State and Utah on their schedule still.
Offensive POTW: Tyler Huntley QB Utah
Defensive POTW: Ben Burr-Kirven
Season Predictions: 42-19
