Pac-12 Football Week 3 Preview

Sep 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback

(17) warms up before the game against the Memphis Tigers at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

After a wacky Week 2 in Pac-12 football, the third week gets a little bit easier for the majority of the conference. Oregon, Stanford and USC look forward to the games against lesser opponents after their recent epic battles. The Washington schools look to reverse the negative perceptions that are currently plaguing their programs and both UCLA and Arizona head into what should be a pair of classics. Here is the Go Joe Bruin Pac-12 Football Week 3 Preview:

#2 Oregon vs Wyoming, 11 a.m. PT

The Ducks showed they nation that they are one of the elite teams in the country after the blew out the Michigan State Spartans. Let us face it, this could be the Year of the Duck as Mariota has already collected 585 yards through the air with six touchdowns. He has also scampered for 85 yards and 1 TD on the ground. Wyoming maybe 2-0, but they have not scored more than 17 points in a game. Unless they have stellar defense, which they do not, they are going to have to find a way to out score Oregon, which they cannot.

Prediction: Wyoming 3 – Oregon 56

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Washington vs Illinois, 1 p.m.

The Chris Petersen era has stumbled a little bit in his first year. The Huskies had to grind out a late win against lowly Hawai’i and then found themselves in a shoot out with big time FCS team, Eastern Washington. Although the Illini are 2-0, they were struggles against Youngstown St. and Western Kentucky, so this will basically be more of the same for both teams. The Husky offense looked good behind Cyler Miles last week while the defense suffered dearly. They better be ready because this Illinois team likes to throw.

Prediction: Illinois 38 – Washington 42

Stanford vs Army, 2 p.m.

After a weekend of horrors, the Cardinal look to take their frustration out on Army. Stanford’s defense held the Trojans at bay for the entire game last week, only to have the offense blow it on several red zone attempts, very uncharacteristic of them. Army has only played one game in which they won, but they also had 554 yards put on them by Buffalo. BUFFALO! Kevin Hogan should be licking his chops right now as he looks to prove Stanford merely had a hiccup last week.

Prediction: Army 0 – Stanford 38

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; USC Trojans head coach Steve Sarkisian celebrates with offensive tackle

(73) 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 at Boston College, 5 p.m.

After beating Stanford for the second time in a row, the Trojans head east to play the Eagles. USC proved they are a Special Teams juggernaut, but need to correct a lot of issues as they had a lot of trouble moving the ball on the offense. The defense is fine. There is absolutely nothing wrong in this department. If anyone will win game solely on defense, it is USC. Anyway, they take on an average-to-low ACC Boston College team that runs the ball a lot. Either way, there is no chance for this Eagles team, but godspeed!

Prediction: USC 54 – Boston College 17

UCLA vs Texas at AT&T Stadium, 5 p.m.

The Showdown in Jerry World! UCLA travels to Texas to play a neutral site game against, um, Texas. Neutral site as it may be, this is nothing but a glorified home game for the Longhorns. The Bruins have shown they have inconsistency issues and look to lock that down as they play a Texas team that hopping along in their own right. Talent-wise, it is not bad for the Longhorns, but injuries and discipline issues have had them a step below what they should be. Both teams should should improvements in this game, but ultimately, this is all UCLA.

Prediction: UCLA 42 – Texas 17

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Washington State vs Portland State, 5 p.m.

What is going on up at the Palouse? Mike Leach had such promise going into this season but got shut down in the first two games. The offense is one of the most dangerous in the country, but just like the Cougar running game, the Cougar defense does not exist. There does not seem to be any certainty with the Cougars and playing Portland State is not a gimme either. Two weeks ago, the Vikings went toe-to-toe with another high-flying team, Oregon State. That is a red flag for WSU. Still, they should win, but not by much.

Prediction: Portland State 30 – Washington State 33

Arizona State at Colorado, 7 p.m.

You would think with all the talent in the Pac-12 that every conference game would be a battle from start to finish. Not so much. Colorado is not looking much better than last year. It does not get any easier for them as they take on a Sun Devils team that does not seem to have missed a step with their offense from last season. ASU is averaging 345 yards rushing behind RB D.J. Foster and although it was against two cupcakes, the Sun Devils are posting 51.5 points. This should be a no-brainer.

Prediction: Arizona State 48 – Colorado 21

Arizona vs Nevada, 8 p.m.

Despite not getting national attention, the contest between Arizona and Nevada should be an epic one. Last week, the Wildcats got an interception to shut down a last ditch effort by an upstart UTSA team.  Nevada came out victorious over a not-to-good Washington State team in a very impressive many. Both teams have good quarterbacks, coahces and should be a very fun game to watch. In the end, it should be Arizona that comes out on top.

Prediction: Nevada 38 – Arizona 42