Washington (6-4, 4-3 Pac-12) at Oregon State (2-8, 2-5 Pac-12)(Saturday, 12:30 p.m.)
The Huskies have lost three of their last four games, but will still be heavy favorites over an Oregon State team that has dropped three in a row. Although Washington’s offense ranks ahead of Oregon State’s in most major statistical categories, the Beavers actually have a rather significant edge on defense. Oregon State is ranked sixth in the Pac-12 in total defense (Washington is 10th),@@http://www.pac-12.org/portals/7/images/Football/2011-Stats/HTML/confldrs.htm@@ seventh in scoring defense (Washington is 10th)@@see previous@@ and second in passing defense (Washington 11th).@@see previous@@ When the uncertain health of Washington starting quarterback Keith Price@@CE@@ and the emotion of Oregon State’s senior day festivities are factored in, Oregon State could have a shot at pulling the upset.
Utah (6-4, 3-4 Pac-12) at Washington State (4-6, 2-5 Pac-12)@@http://pac-12.org/SPORTS/Football/Standings.aspx@@ (Saturday, 2 p.m.) @@http://www.wsucougars.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/wast-m-footbl-sched.html@@
Right when pundits were starting to write Washington State off, the Cougars shocked Arizona State 37-27@@see previous@@ last weekend in Pullman. Redshirt freshman quarterback Connor Halliday,@@http://www.wsucougars.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/halliday_connor00.html@@ who began the season as Washington State’s third-string signal caller, threw for 494 yards and four touchdowns in the upset.@@http://www.wsucougars.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111311aaa.html@@ Presumably, Utah, which has won three consecutive Pac-12 games after losing their first four in conference, will be better equipped to deal with Halliday and the Cougars’ passing attack. Utah is fourth in the conference in passing defense, and, with a week to scout Washington State’s weapons, should be better prepared than the unpredictable Arizona State defense. Even if they contain Halliday, however, Utah must find a way to put points on the scoreboard — the Utes are dead last in the conference in total offense.@@http://www.pac-12.org/portals/7/images/Football/2011-Stats/HTML/confldrs.htm@@
Colorado (2-9, 1-6 Pac-12) at UCLA (5-5, 4-3 Pac-12)@@http://pac-12.org/SPORTS/Football/Standings.aspx@@ (Saturday, 4:30 p.m., Versus) @@http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/ucla-m-footbl-sched.html@@
Somehow, the putrid Buffaloes avoided going winless in their first Pac-12 season by beating Arizona 48-29 last weekend.@@http://www.cubuffs.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPID=255&SPSID=3850&DB_OEM_ID=600@@ In the victory, Colorado dominated on the ground, rushing for 273 yards.@@http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3850&SPID=255&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=205332344@@ And although the Bruins will be home favorites, the Buffaloes will have a good shot of at least somewhat replicating that performance — UCLA ranks last in the Pac-12 in rushing defense.@@http://www.pac-12.org/portals/7/images/Football/2011-Stats/HTML/confldrs.htm@@ Additionally, UCLA’s season-long two-game winning streak came to an abrupt end in a horrid 31-6 loss to Utah.@@http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/ucla-m-footbl-sched.html@@ Bruin quarterback Kevin Prince@@http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/prince_kevin00.html@@ threw two interceptions,@@http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2011-2012/utahucla.html@@ and UCLA surrendered 224 rushing yards to the Utes.@@see previous@@ Perhaps the Bruins can find a way to improve in what could be Rick Neuheisel’s@@http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/neuheisel_rick00.html@@ last home game as UCLA’s coach.
Arizona (2-8, 1-7 Pac-12) at Arizona State (6-4, 4-3 Pac-12)@@http://pac-12.org/SPORTS/Football/Standings.aspx@@ (Saturday, 6:30 p.m.)@@http://www.arizonawildcats.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/ariz-m-footbl-sched.html@@
This year’s Territorial Cup@@CE@@ is a stinker. The once-touted Arizona rivals have each had disappointing years, best evidenced by the inexplicable losses to inferior teams (Arizona to Colorado and Arizona State to Washington State) each suffered last weekend. Even so, Arizona State is probably the more talented of the two, and will be a heavy favorite to win their second-straight Territorial Cup meeting. The Sun Devils are ranked higher than the Wildcats in both scoring offense and scoring defense@@http://www.pac-12.org/portals/7/images/Football/2011-Stats/HTML/confldrs.htm@@ and feature a more balanced offensive attack (Arizona’s passing game is solid, but its rushing attack averages fewer than 100 yards per game and ranks 11th in the Pac-12).@@http://www.pac-12.org/portals/7/images/Football/2011-Stats/HTML/confldrs.htm@@
The Stanford Cardinal, who recently feel from No. 3 to No. 8 after its loss to the Oregon Ducks, will attempt to redeem themselves in a matchup against the unranked Cal Golden Bears. Despite the NCAA rankings, Cal may stand a chance if it can minimize its mistakes. (Michael Ciaglo/Oregon Daily Emerald)
California (6-4, 3-4 Pac-12) at Stanford (9-1, 7-1 Pac-12)@@http://pac-12.org/SPORTS/Football/Standings.aspx@@ (Saturday, 7:15 p.m., ESPN) @@http://www.gostanford.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/stan-m-footbl-sched.html@@
After losing for the first time in more than a year, the No. 8 Cardinal@@http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/football/fbs@@ will try to rebound against its Bay Area rivals. On paper, the Cardinal has a significant edge. Stanford is second in the conference in both scoring offense and scoring defense,@@http://www.pac-12.org/portals/7/images/Football/2011-Stats/HTML/confldrs.htm@@ while the Bears are eighth@@changed from seventh@@ and fourth in those categories. However, if Cal can minimize its mistakes, the game could be closer than some think. The Bears are the most penalized team in the conference in yards per game, and Cal quarterback Zach Maynard@@http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/maynard_zach00.html@@ has thrown 11 interceptions and is completing fewer than 55 percent of his passes.@@.546: see previous@@ If the Bears’ athletic defense (which ranks first@@changed from second: http://www.pac-12.org/portals/7/images/Football/2011-Stats/HTML/confldrs.htm@@ in the conference in yards allowed) can slow the Cardinal’s ground game and force Andrew Luck@@CE@@ and Stanford’s depleted receiving corps to make big plays, they could pull the upset.