Pac-12 Football Week 6 Preview: Revenge Week
Thursday, October 3
Arizona (4-0, 1-0) at #2 Oregon (4-0, 1-0), 7:30 p.m. PT (ESPN)
Nov 23, 2013; Tucson, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (right) is consoled by defensive tackle Ricky Havili-Heimuli after suffering an injury in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Arizona defeated Oregon 42-16. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Talk about a Thursday night matchup. Arizona had smoked duck last season as they gave Oregon an embarrassing 42-16 loss that killed their national and conference title hopes. This year Oregon have a healthy Marcus Mariota who is looking fantastic this year and is a Heisman candidate front runner to several pundits. Arizona has looked good, but shaky at times. They have also looked down right impressive in sections of games as they did against Cal when they came back from a 28-6 halftime deficit to beat the Golden Bears on a Hail Mary play. The Wildcats can score, there is no doubt about that, but t is their defense that looks shaky and might not be able to handle the power of the Ducks offense.
Prediction: Arizona 38 – Oregon 45
Saturday, October 4
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#14 Stanford (3-1, 1-1) at #8 Notre Dame (4-0), 12:30 p.m. (NBC)
Stanford has already been tested this season in their contests versus USC and Washington. As for Notre Dame, they have not. The Irish have, for the most part, been feasting on diet of cupcakes to start the season. Notre Dame have been very impressive but they have not played against a ranked opponent or one that currently has a winning record. Stanford has been given a few body blows early which should at least have them physically prepared for this game, especially behind the Cardinal defense which is always good. The question here is if quarterback Kevin Hogan can deliver on the offensive side. This is where Stanford has struggled in the last few weeks against proper opponents, but ultimately, they should give the Irish a game they might not be ready for.
Prediction: Stanford 21 – Notre Dame 20
Oregon State (3-1, 0-1) at Colorado (2-3, 0-2), 1 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)
You can call this the new “Battle of the Cellar Dwellers” as an unimpressive Oregon State takes on Colorado, who themselves cannot seem to get out of the bottom of the South Division. One thing is for sure, one of these are going to have a W at the end of the day and help their season to head back in the right direction. Currently, that team looks like Colorado.
Prediction: Oregon State 13 – Colorado 28
Arizona State (3-1, 1-1) at #16 USC (3-1, 2-0), 4:30 p.m. (Fox)
Sep 28, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin reacts during the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Remember this game last year in the desert? It turned out to be the final straw for Athletic Director Pat Haden. In one of the most famous terminations in college football history, the USC AD fired then-head coach Lane Kiffin on the tarmac of LAX as the Trojans returned from a horrible trip in Tempe. USC lost 62-41 which added to their season of bad press. Things are different this year for USC as they have a solid coach in Steve Sarkisian that the fan base doesn’t hate, at least not yet, who has looked good early on leaden this team. Arizona State is coming off of its beating from UCLA in which they lost by 35 despite the fact that they racked up over 600 total yards. If ASU can run D.J. Foster down the Trojans throat and hold the USC offense, then they have a shot. Until then, this is all USC.
Prediction: Arizona State 20 – USC 35
Utah (3-1, 0-1) at #8 UCLA (4-0, 1-0), 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
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Last year, UCLA went the distance on a rainy, snowy and cold Thursday night game in Salt Lake City. Utah was in this game, but six interceptions by Utah QB Travis Wilson killed that. The Utes had one last chance to try to tie the Bruins, but was stopped with an INT on their final drive by a little known freshmen named Myles Jack. This year, Utah looks to clicking on all cylinders… at least they did before they let a 24-7 halftime lead deteriorate into a 28-27 loss against Washington State last week. UCLA put up 62 points on ASU in their last game, so this match-up looks a lot more favorable to the Bruins in the last 7 days. Although, there is one danger for UCLA, looking ahead to next week versus Oregon.
Prediction: Utah 14 – UCLA 48
Cal (3-1, 1-1) at Washington State (2-3, 1-1), 7:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)
Both teams are on an exciting win streak… of one. Cal has, surprisingly, looked pretty good this year as they have already tripled their wins from a season ago. Washington State has been a little of the opposite, but have righted the ship as they took Oregon to the limit two weeks ago and had a shocking come from behind victory against Utah last week. Both teams will utilize some potent aerial attacks, which could have this game come down to which defense can hold the other team. Honestly, even though this is not a marquee Pac-12 match-up, this game is as exciting as every other one being played on Saturday. You are darn right it is the best conference on the country!
Prediction: Cal 35 – Washington State 42