Pac-12 Perspective: What UCLA Fans Should Be Looking For This Saturday

UCLA and Arizona State is over. The Bruins won 62-27, but that is old news. We now move on to a full Saturday of Pac-12 football. With four other games in the conference going on, each a Pac-12 battle, what do Bruins fans need to look for in terms of positives for the Bruins? Let us take a look at UCLA’s Pac-12 perspective.

Who are the either contenders in the South Division?

Arizona has a bye, so they get a chance to rest and access the competition. Overall, they have looked accomplished in their first four games, though they have not looked as dominant as UCLA and USC. There is still a lot of time in the season and the Wildcats are in good standing, which, at this point, makes them a contender. They get a chance to show their worth next week as they head to Oregon, whom they beat last season.

Realistically, Arizona State still has a shot to win the South, but it is not the way you want to start conference play. For one thing, they lost the tie-breaker with UCLA, if it ever comes down to it and then starting next week they face USC, Stanford and Washington, in that order. If Taylor Kelly comes back sooner than later, that is good for ASU, because they will need him.

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) reacts after the Trojans recovered a fumble against the Stanford Cardinal in the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Cardinal 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

USC, looking long-term, is the only other threat to the South Division. If they can with stand injuries and work on stopping the run, they can be very dangerous, but their offense has not looked in control in the last two games against Stanford and Boston College. If Cody Kessler can some how channel the quarterback that made an impact in the throttling of Fresno State, they should be fine.

Utah is a team out of no where. Every year they have been in the Pac-12, they have not been able to make the leap out of the cellar. This year their offense is clicking and their defense is impressing, the only thing is, they have not played anyone worth noting as their combined opponent record is 5-7. If they can silence the high-flying Cougars, they should get a lot more attention in the South.

So what is going on with Stanford and Washington?

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It is a hard truth but Stanford needs to prove themselves once again. A 35-0 win over Army is fine, but the sting if the USC loss is lingering. Stanford needs this win against the Huskies just to stay alive. If they go 0-2 in the Pac-12, they will bury themselves with Notre Dame, Arizona State, Utah, Oregon and UCLA still on their schedule.

As for Washington, they need a solid win to establish themselves as a proper threat. The Huskies did a 180 in last week’s game against Georgia State as they trailed by 14 at the half and then scored 45 unanswered points to win 45-14. Maybe the Huskies just need a little time to get things together and if that is the case, Stanford could exploit that. The Cardinal are one of the most disciplined teams in the Pac-12 and taking your time against them leaves you vulnerable. Washington has to start strong and stop the less-than-stellar Stanford offense to make a mark this season.

If Oregon State beats USC, is the North Division up for grabs?

Sep 20, 2014; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers quarterback Sean Mannion (4) prepares to throw in the first quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Susan Ragan-USA TODAY Sports

It is not exactly clear what kind of team Oregon State is, but they are in good position to show everyone this weekend. Their air attack is stunning, but QB Sean Mannion is doing less than he did last season, which is not necessarily a step backward, but in order to stay aead of the game, the Beaver passing game needs to do more. They have a run game that barely has any life, which is unfortunate because it was the run that killed USC in the Trojan’s last game. Surprisingly, the Beavers are holding back opposing offenses. OSU has the 6th best defense in the country, holding their opponents to 255.0 yards per game and only allowing 17.0 points to be put one them. If they can ultize that in the game against USC and come out with a victory, there may indeed be a four-team race int he North.