Arizona State at No. 18 Utah

Saturday, November 4
11:00 am PT, Pac-12 Network

The day begins with an early kickoff between Arizona State and No. 18 Utah.

After facing one of the nation’s top offenses last week, the Utes face a team entering the matchup No. 116 in points per game. The Sun Devils do most of their damage on the ground and are predictably one-dimensional.

But Kenny Dillingham has benefitted from the return of running back DeCarlos Brooks. With a second punch in the backfield, ASU is able to use primary RB Cameron Skattebo more sparingly while opening the playbook.

Quarterback Trenton Bourguet has struggled, though.

Originally the third-string option who has been forced into the starting role due to injury, Bourguet has thrown just a single touchdown pass on the year compared to three interceptions.

He is reasonably mobile, however, and has avoided taking a sack in four of the five games he has played. Over that stretch, he has also posted two scores on the ground.

But with an offensive line that has struggled all year (No. 103 in sacks allowed per game and No. 82 in tackles for loss allowed per game), Morgan Scalley figures to call a blitz-heavy game.

As long as the Utes get pressure on Bourguet and force the Sun Devils to be one-dimensional on the ground, Utah’s seventh-ranked run defense should keep Arizona State contained.

Despite what some X accounts are saying online, Utah is not on Upset Alert.

Brian Ward has done wonders with the ASU defense and could keep Bryson Barnes from having a strong game. Yet, the Sun Devils just don’t have the offensive firepower to produce the win on the road.

Look for the Utah ground game to be effective and open up the passing game as a result. Unless the Ute defense gives up chunk plays through the air, Barnes and Company should put up enough points to secure the win.

California at No. 6 Oregon

Saturday, November 4
2:30 pm PT, Pac-12 Network

This is one of those culture-defining games.

Dan Lanning and the Ducks have proven capable of stepping up to the plate for big-time matchups this season. But can they do the same for an under-the-radar trap game?

California may have a failing defense, but its offense has been reborn under quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The redshirt freshman is mobile and executes the Cal offense to perfection.

Mendoza does, however, routinely throw interceptions (three over the last three games) and any mistakes on the road could be decisive.

Still, the Bears’ primary offense runs through their backfield. Jaydn Ott is ninth nationally in rushing yards per game and Isaiah Ifanse is tied for 37th nationally in rushing touchdowns.

Both are questionable for Saturday’s matchup, though, which could substantially change the effectiveness of California’s offense.

But as Lanning consistently tells his team, “It’s us versus us.”

It almost doesn’t matter who the opponent is lining up on the other side of Oregon’s sideline. The team is entirely focused on itself. And for good reason.

The Ducks have the talent on both sides of the ball to beat anyone in the country and their own execution is arguably the lone factor standing in their way.

Matched up against a Cal defense that’s No. 117 in points allowed per game and No. 65 in rushing defense, Oregon should eat.

Look for Bo Nix and the UO running backs to have efficient games while busting chunk plays throughout the day. At the same time, the Oregon defense should fluster Mendoza and generate multiple interceptions.

Unless Mendoza is effective scampering on the ground and the Cal running backs are able to take advantage of the resulting open space, the game should be a blowout.

No. 5 Washington at No. 20 USC

Saturday, November 4
4:30 pm PT, ABC

In the Pac-12’s Game of the Week, No. 20 USC hosts No. 5 Washington with a potential Playoff spot on the line.

The Huskies have struggled the last two weekends and enter the Coliseum on Upset Alert. For all the talk about how bad USC’s defense is, the Dawgs’ 116th-ranked passing defense has gotten somewhat of a pass.

Perhaps that’s because Washington still boasts the nation’s No. 33 scoring defense despite its struggles to defend the throw.

Whatever the reasons are, UW faces an exponentially stronger offense than the likes of Stanford and Arizona State that it has faced the last two weeks.

The Trojans are second in the nation in points per game and take the field with the No. 7 passing offense. Lincoln Riley’s system is particularly deadly due to Caleb William’s mobility and willingness to run.

The defending Heisman Trophy winner could have a field day against UW’s struggling secondary.

With multiple weapons at receiver to throw to and capable running backs to use on the ground, USC’s offense is the toughest Washington has faced to date.

But, for as strong as the Trojan offense is, its defense is inversely weak.

Alex Grinch has the players at his disposal to create a strong “D,” but his coaching has resulted in the nation’s No. 109 scoring defense and No. 104 passing defense.

That’s a problem facing Michael Penix Jr.

Still, the gameplan figures to be straightforward: apply pressure from the opening snap. Penix has struggled the last few games and could be less effective if USC blitzes.

Defensive linemen Bear Alexander and Solomon Byrd, then, could be deciding factors. For all the flack that the SC defense receives, it does enter the game No. 42 in tackles for loss.

If the Trojan front seven can consistently get pressure on Penix, the USC offense figures to score enough points to get the job done at home.

Still, Kalen DeBoer’s system is designed to get the ball out quickly under pressure and could thrive under SC’s blitzing.

It’s a matchup that figures to be a high-scoring affair that could be decided by a single, pivotal defensive stop. The only question is: Which defense will it be?

Stanford at Washington State

Saturday, November 4
6:00 pm PT, Pac-12 Network

Jake Dickert and the Cougars face a must-win game on their path to bowl eligibility.

After starting the year 4-0, Washington State has lost four straight, and its defense is giving up 40.0 points per game over the last three weeks.

Matched up with a Stanford team that’s lost six of its last seven games, Wazzu can’t afford to stumble.

The Cardinal defense is dead-last in the country in passing yards allowed per game. The group allows 322.5 yards passing per game and is No. 126 in passing efficiency defense.

If Ben Arbuckle’s offense can’t eviscerate the Tree’s “D,” there are serious issues in Pullman moving forward.

On the other side of the ball, the Cardinal offense has begun to find itself. The quarterback situation has been mostly resolved by Ashton Daniels, and Troy Taylor has transitioned his playcalling to a pass-happy system.

Daniels is averaging 46.6 passing attempts per game over the last three matchups and he’s thrown six touchdowns to just one interception.

At the same time, Daniels started running the ball (13.3 attempts per game over the last three contests) and is fresh off a 16-carry game for 85 yards rushing with two touchdowns.

In other words, Stanford’s entire offense runs through Daniels, and keeping him contained is key.

For whatever reason, Dickert’s defense has struggled mightily this season and could continue to have problems against Stanford’s quarterback.

But, Washington State’s strength is its passing game and Stanford is the worst passing defense in the nation. Advantage WSU, although the game might be closer than expected.

If Daniels has a strong game on the ground, Stanford could keep the score close late into the fourth quarter.

No. 16 Oregon State at Colorado

Saturday, November 4
7:00 pm PT, ESPN

Looking to bounce back after falling short in the desert, No. 16 Oregon State takes on Colorado for a noteworthy matchup in Boulder.

The offensive schemes of each program are opposite in many ways.

The Beavers prefer to move the ball on the ground and enter the matchup with the nation’s No. 28 rushing offense.

The Buffs, on the other hand, have the third-worst rushing offense in the country and are entirely one-dimensional through the air.

Shedeur Sanders is one of the top quarterbacks in the country and leads the No. 6 passing offense in the FBS. And he does it despite an offensive line that gives up more sacks per game than every team in the nation except for one.

It’s a clash of styles that makes time of possession a factor.

If Oregon State is successful running the ball, its offense will keep Sanders off the field for substantial portions of the game. With limited possessions, the pressure will be on CU to score.

It may be oversimplified, but the team that punts the ball fewer times likely walks away with the win. In other words, Colorado must convert its drives into points or it will be in trouble.

The Beavers thrive in low-possession games and can sustain extended drives. Colorado’s run defense is No. 95 in the FBS and could struggle to contain OSU’s backs.

And unlike UCLA, it’s highly unlikely that DJ Uiagalelei will throw four interceptions in the first half to keep the game within reach.

When Oregon State does throw the ball, it’s either off of playaction or in a spread-shotgun formation. Uiagalelei is mobile, too, and figures to take advantage of Colorado when they are expecting another run play.

On top of all of that, the Beaver defense is respectable, entering the game No. 38 in points allowed per game. But, OSU is No. 67 in passing yards allowed per contest and No. 60 in pass efficiency defense.

Sanders should be able to take advantage of the issues defending the pass and keep the game within reach.

The final score will probably be closer than expected and it might take a key play or two from the OSU front seven to secure the win.

No. 19 UCLA at Arizona

Saturday, November 4
7:30 pm PT, FS1

In the last football matchup of the UCLA-Arizona rivalry for the foreseeable future, UA defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen faces his old team.

The Wildcats upset the Bruins in Pasadena last season and enter the game in Tucson full of confidence.

Nansen understands the ins and outs of Chip Kelly’s system while boasting a substantially stronger UA defense than last year’s squad.

The UCLA offensive line has struggled this year, too, and the Arizona defensive line is its strength.

The base 4-2-5 formation that UA runs is more effective against the run, as well, with the Cats entering the game with the country’s No. 17 run defense.

With depth up front and two stalwarts at linebacker, it’s a defensive showdown that favors Arizona.

The keys, then, figure to come down to how Jedd Fisch handles the elite Bruin defensive line. D’Anton Lynn’s front seven is arguably the top unit in the Pac-12 and enters the game as the best-scoring defense in the Conference.

Laiatu Latu and Gabriel Murphy are problems up front and Darius Muasau is one of the top linebackers in the league.

It’s a tough challenge for Fisch’s offensive line that could result in a low-scoring game.

Yet, Arizona has depth at running back to wear it down. With four options that are heavily featured in the passing game, Arizona has the horses to get the job done.

Still, the most important player for Lynn to stop could be Jacob Cowing.

Used extensively in the slot and the flats, the Arizona wide receiver could gash the UCLA “D” with yards after the catch. If Cowing and Tetairoa McMillan aren’t stopped, Arizona should find a way to win at home.

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