Rivalry week begins as their are many impactful games on this schedule when it comes to final rankings and which team gets which bowl game. Bragging rights is also on the lines for a lot of teams. But for two specific teams, it’s a chance to meet Utah in the Pac 12 title game as well as an At-Large bid for a NY6 bowl game.
Friday:
Oregon vs. Oregon State
For Oregon, this was a season with high hopes and aspirations with an NFL-Talented QB with experienced skill players returning as well as some studs along the defensive side of the ball. For parts of the season, Oregon has looked really good. But for others, you get games like Arizona (15-44 L). To be fair to the Ducks the other 3 losses were much closer and against teams like Stanford and Washington State. Oregon can cap off the season with a chance to dominate Oregon State and finish off the season with a hopeful bowl win. Outside of a very good running game, the Beavers don’t really do anything else well (on a consistent basis). If they limit Oregon State to below 300 rushing yards, Oregon should take care of business.
Oregon 48, Oregon State 21
#16 Washington vs. #8 Washington State
Primetime. Apple Cup. Chance at the Pac 12 Title game. What more could you ask for from two rivals out of Washington? Washington State was heavily slept on to begin the year as Athlon Sports had Washington State pledged for 2018 as a “rebuilding year” and had them projected to finish 5th in their own division (6-6). College Football News also had the Cougars tabbed at around 6 wins on the year. Washington was the clear favorite by many to win the conference and still has a chance to do so. But Washington’s defense throughout the season has shown holes and with a Washington State offense that is very dynamic and exciting, Washington State could turn this game into a blow out. I don’t think they will as Ben Burr-Kirven and Byron Murphy step up and play big in this game for UW on defense. Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin will be able to put up some points, but not enough as Minshew throws for 300 yards and 4 TD’s as Washington State clinches a berth to the Pac 12 Title game for the first time in 15 years.
#8 Washington State 38, #16 Washington 34
Saturday:
Stanford vs. UCLA
The Saturday slate begins with one team that had their game postponed and another coming off an emotional high after taking down their rival. The key for Stanford is to stop Joshua Kelley on offense. Wilton Speight doesn’t appear to have an elite arm and UCLA has unproven receivers outside of Caleb Wilson. Kelley has 1,110 rushing yards so far on the year and Stanford is barely in the Top 50 in run defense (ranking 46th). UCLA is not great at defending the pass (75th)and with KJ Costello and the weapons he was around him, Stanford should be able to find some open spaces and exploit UCLA’s defense. UCLA has nothing to lose as they won’t be playing for a bowl game. But back to back wins against teams going bowling sure will help for the future of the program. For Stanford, this is a game you can’t let get away and a game the Cardinal should win. JJ Arcega-Whiteside bounces back for a big game and KJ Costello throws for 3 TD’s in the Cardinal win.
Stanford 41, UCLA 24
Arizona State vs. Arizona
This pits two teams that three weeks into the season, were going in two completely different directions. Arizona State had started out the season defeating UTSA and upsetting Michigan State in a primetime game where N’Keal Harry was the buzz of the entire conference. While Arizona started the year 0-2 including an embarrassing loss by 27 points to Houston. Both teams have looked streaky throughout the year, but now it’s time to put that aside and focus on this game. Arizona State has a chance to play spoiler with a win, it would knock Arizona out of a bowl game. Arizona is fresh off of getting nearly 70 put up on them against Washington State in a game where they put up a good effort on offense, but still was not close. Arizona has the worst pass defense in the conference and ranks 115th in the nation. Manny Wilkins and Eno Benjamin have a chance to exploit a really weak defense. Arizona State has done a fairly good job this year at keeping the ball away from the opposing team and creating turnovers as they have a +7 Turnover Margin on the year, while Arizona is -2 in that department. If Arizona State creates enough turnovers and keeps Khalil Tate in the pocket, this is a game the Sun Devils should take.
Arizona State 35, Arizona 21
Colorado vs. California
After an emotional win 2 weeks ago in which they snapped a 14 game losing streak against USC, their game against Stanford was postponed because of massive wildfires and will be played during Championship Week next week. For Colorado, they might go from “potential high bowl game” to staying home in December. Colorado has hit rock bottom after a hot start. But the Buffs have a chance. Cal is coming off an emotional win, but with not playing last week, it might mess with Cal’s psyche and the Golden Bears might start a bit slow out of the gates. Colorado’s ability to make Cal’s offense one dimensional will be a big factor in this game. I believe Cal will win this game, but there will be some sloppy play based off of recent performance and well as some loll from last week’s unexpected “bye” week.
California 21, Colorado 17
#3 Notre Dame vs. USC
Rivalry week continues, but this one begins out of conference rivalry and USC would love nothing more than to ruin Notre Dame’s CFP hopes and aspirations. Notre Dame is attempting to keep USC of bowl contention and due to being an Independent, trying to impress the committee to try and move up to #2 (although from a matchup standpoint, that wouldn’t matter too much unless Clemson lost). J.T. Daniels is going to need a superhero like performance and Cameron Smith is going to need a huge game on the defense for the Trojans to play spoiler. Ian Book has completely changed that offense and Dexter Williams has been one of the more underrated RB’s in the country. Miles Boykin is the leading receiver with 8 touchdowns and 730 yards. Dream scenario is that the Trojans get it done, but not today. The road atmosphere will make it close at times, but Notre Dame wins by a couple scores.
#3 Notre Dame 28, USC 17
BYU vs. #17 Utah
The Holy War comes only once a year. Some years it’s two teams fighting for bowl eligibility. Others it’s years when they are both down. BYU is 1-2 against the Pac 12 this year with losses against Cal and Washington and their lone win against Arizona. The key for BYU is to stop Zach Moss and for the most part this season, BYU has played the run really well, ranking in the Top 25 in run defense. BYU has a good ground game as well with the combo of Squally Canada and Lopini Katoa (both over 400 yards). With one half of the Kaufusi Brothers out for the remainder of the year (Corbin) Isaiah, as well as Sione Takitaki will be relied on heavily to stop not only Moss, but the mobility of Tyler Huntley as well. The indecisiveness of the QB situation with Tanner Mangum and Zach Wilson should be enough and #17 Utah will be heading into Conference Championship week with some confidence and ready for Washington/Washington State.
#17 Utah 34, BYU 24
Image Credit: https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2018/10/how_dillon_mitchell_got_open_f.html
