Non-conference play continues for the Pacific-10 Conference teams this weekend with only one Pac-10 team facing off against a top-25 opponent.
Oregon remains the only Pac-10 team to have yet played a game, while six Pac-10 teams successfully passed their first test by winning their season openers.
Three Pac-10 teams lost their season opening games last weekend, including Washington’s 35-16 loss to Fresno State. The Huskies, however, will not play this weekend and will return to the field Sept. 18 to begin conference play at home against UCLA.
No. 1 USC (1-0 overall) vs. Colorado State (0-1)
The defending national co-champions USC will return after a bye week and their 24-13 victory over Virginia Tech two weeks ago.
The Trojans will look to move on without star wide receiver Mike Williams, who was deemed ineligible after his failed attempt to enter the NFL Draft this summer. In his place, receiver Reggie Bush takes over as quarterback Matt Leinart’s top target after catching five passes for 127 yards in their first win.
Both teams will play each other for the first time in their schools’ histories. Colorado State travels to Los Angeles following a near-comeback against state rival Colorado in a 27-24 loss. The Rams are led by quarterback Justin Holland, who completed 29 of 41 passes for 403 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 12 California (1-0) vs. New Mexico State (0-1)
The offensive juggernaut at Cal continues on behind head coach and former Oregon offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford. The Golden Bears have won six of their last seven games, averaging 42.9 points and 520.3 yards per game in that seven-game stretch.
The offense rolled toward a 56-14 victory against Air Force last weekend. Running back J.J. Arrington starred in the contest, compiling a total of 181 yards on only 16 attempts. As a team, the Golden Bears rushed for 342 yards on 44 carries — an ungodly 7.8 yards per carry.
Both teams will meet for the second time in their schools’ histories, with the Golden Bears winning their first matchup 34-13 on Sept. 7, 2002. New Mexico enters the weekend after having been walloped by Arkansas 63-13.
Oregon State (0-1) at Boise State (1-0)
We all know what happened to Oregon State last weekend with their heartbreaking 22-21 overtime loss to the defending national co-champions Louisiana State. The Beavers now look to bounce back and avoid starting the season 0-2 for the first time since 1996.
One of the questions surrounding the Beavers will be whether their kicker Alexis Serna can recover after missing three extra points last Saturday. Serna missed his third attempt in the overtime period to seal his team’s fate.
This week does not look promising for the Beavers as they travel to Boise State, which holds the nation’s longest home winning streak at 19 games and longest overall winning streak at 12. The Broncos are coming off a 65-7 win over Idaho last weekend.
History, however, is in Oregon State’s favor, having won each of the team’s three matches, including a 26-24 victory in Corvallis last year. Boise State is 0-9 all-time against the Pac-10.
Washington State (1-0) vs. Colorado (1-0)
Both teams were originally scheduled to play Sept. 15, 2001, but the game was canceled due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. This weekend will make up that game and marks the sixth time that Washington State and Colorado will battle. Colorado leads the series 3-2 despite losing to the Cougars 47-26 last season in Boulder, Colo.
Last weekend, Washington State came back from a 10-point deficit to win their season opener against New Mexico 21-17. The Cougars have won their last four season opening games and are riding their best four-year span in team history, including three 10-win seasons.
Courtesy U
Stanford (1-0) vs.
Brigham Young (1-0)
Stanford looks to repeat their start from last season where they defeated San Jose State and BYU to begin 2-0. Last week, the Cardinal beat San Jose State in a convincing 43-3 win.
Stanford and BYU will meet for the second time after an offensive struggle in last season’s game, in which the Cardinals won 18-14. Stanford passed for just 56 yards, which set a school record. They also held the Cougars to -5 yards rushing — the fourth lowest total in Stanford’s history.
Sophomore quarterback Trent Edwards who threw for 187 yards and two touchdowns last weekend, will head the offense. Edwards made his collegiate starting debut against BYU last season.
Arizona State (1-0) at Northwestern (0-1)
Senior quarterback Andrew Walter leads the Arizona State offense into Evanston, Ill. after an impressive 41-9 victory over Texas-El Paso last weekend. Walter finished with 241 yards and three touchdowns in only three quarters of play. He returns for his final season as one of the top quarterbacks in the Pac-10.
The Sun Devils are 2-0 all-time against Northwestern, with this game being the first meeting between the two in over 26 years. Arizona State has won six of their last eight games against Big Ten Conference teams.
Northwestern lost to Texas Christian University 48-45 in a double overtime thriller last Thursday.
UCLA (0-1) at Illinois (1-0)
The teams will meet for the 11th time in their schools’ histories with the series tied 5-5. UCLA dropped their season opener to Oklahoma State 31-20 despite totaling 443 yards of offense — the most since 2002.
Bruins running back Manuel White leads the offensive attack after a career-high 145 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s loss.
Illinois trampled Florida A&M in their 52-13 victory to start their 2004 campaign.
