2020 Pac-12 Football Previews: Week 1

ASU-USC and Stanford-Oregon highlight the Conference openers

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Posted on November 5, 2020


  By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports

This Pac-12 football season will be like no other. Shortened to just seven Conference games, and played in empty stadiums with piped in fan noise, the season figures to be as unusual as the rest of 2020.

Few will care about any of that when the games finally kick off in Week One. Unfortunately, the cancellation of the Washington-Cal and Arizona-Utah games due to COVID-19 positive tests changes the dynamic of the season. This much still seems likely: The winner of the Arizona State-USC contest will eliminate a contender in the South.

The outcomes of all five remaining games are far from certain. As with the SEC and Big Ten, there are bound to be some surprise outcomes. Nonetheless, my brief previews appear below, along with the picks of our three senior football writers, at the bottom of the page.

Arizona State at USC

USC vs ASU in 2019. | Getty Images via latimes.com

Saturday, Nov. 7
9 a.m. PT, Fox

The Sun Devils and Trojans kick off the Pac-12 season with the eyes of the nation on Kedon Slovis and the USC offense. With chaos in the Big 12, the door is wide open for a team from the Conference of Champions to make their case for a spot in the College Football Playoffs. A convincing win in the opening game of the season on national television would be a good first step for the Men of Troy.

Arizona at Utah

Arizona vs Utah in 2019 | wildcat.arizona.edu

Saturday, Nov. 7
12:30 p.m. PT, ESPN2

UPDATE: This game has been canceled due to a positive COVID-19 test.

The quest for a three-peat in Salt Lake City begins with the Wildcats. The Utah defense could have its hands full with Grant Gunnell and the deep Arizona rushing attack, if they underestimate Kevin Sumlin’s squad. Just as important, Kyle Whittingham’s starting quarterback faces an easy opener against the UA defense that was decimated by transfers and has almost no depth at linebacker.

UCLA at Colorado

Colorado at UCLA in 2019. | Jaren Mangham/CUBuffs.com

Saturday, Nov. 7
4 p.m. PT, ESPN2

The new era in Boulder begins with a matchup against UCLA. Dorian Thompson-Robinson leads the Bruin team that view the Buffs as vulnerable, especially as CU breaks in an inexperienced quarterback. But Chip Kelly will face a substantial amount of criticism if his team can’t find a way to win, and the UCLA defense isn’t his strongpoint. On the flip side, if Karl Darrell wins his first game, the Buffs could surprise a few more teams in the South.

Stanford at Oregon

Stanford vs Oregon in 2019 | Neville E. Guard/USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, Nov. 7
4:30 p.m. PT, ABC

The Ducks begin their campaign for the College Football Playoffs with a nationally televised game against Stanford. All eyes will be on Oregon’s quarterback, as Mario Cristobal vies to replace Justin Herbert. The Tree are coming off their worst season in several years, but David Shaw will have his players prepared. A big OU win would make a statement to the Playoff Committee members.

Washington at California

Cal at Washington in 2019. | Dean Rutz/Seattle Times

Saturday, Nov. 7
7:30 p.m. PT, ESPN

UPDATE: This game has been canceled due to a positive COVID-19 test.

In a game that should receive more national attention, Chase Garbers and Cal take on the Dawgs in Berkeley. Both defenses are elite, but Washington is starting an inexperienced quarterback. The sheer number of starters returning for Justin Wilcox could give his squad the edge, but a UW win would be a statement to the rest of the Conference. Either way, this matchup could be the best contest of Week One.

Washington State at Oregon State

OSU vs. WSU in 2019. | James Snook/USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, Nov. 7
7:30 p.m. PT, FS1

In a meaningful game that will likely get little to no attention outside the Pac-12, Nick Rolovich looks to start his tenure at WSU with a victory. Tristan Gebbia has been named the OSU starting quarterback, and Jonathan Smith has a lot of momentum after last season. It remains to be seen how the limited offseason effects the implementation of the Cougars’ Run-and-Shoot.

Picks from our SportsPac12 Senior Football Writers

—More from Dane Miller—