No. 19 Colorado at No. 10 Oregon

Saturday, September 23
12:30 pm PT, ABC

For the first time all season, the national morning shows aren’t on-site to cover Coach Prime and his team.

Perhaps that’s a sign that the national media has lost confidence in CU. The Vegas oddsmakers certainly have, although the bookies in Sin City have been wrong about the Buffs in every game so far this season.

Almost entirely reliant on the pass, Colorado faces an Oregon squad that enters the matchup No. 15 in passing yards allowed per game and No. 21 in pass efficiency defense.

The UO pass defense is easily the toughest the Buffs have faced so far this season. The Ducks have generated four interceptions and six sacks over the first three games of the year.

But, Oregon’s run defense is a different story. Dan Lanning’s group is No. 70 in rushing yards allowed per game and No. 92 in tackles for loss per game.

If Colorado is effective on the ground, the contest could be closer than many expect. True freshman running back Dylan Edwards leads the way, but CU has a stable of three backs that are consistently part of the rotation.

Reports out of Boulder indicate Houston transfer Alton McCaskill is available to play, too, which could change the dynamic of Colorado’s rushing attack.

But the Buffs have too many questions on defense to expect an upset victory at Autzen Stadium. Unless Oregon turns the ball over several times, the Duck offense should roll to a victory in a high-scoring affair.

No. 22 UCLA at No. 11 Utah

Saturday, September 23
12:30 pm PT, Fox

Dante Moore is statistically one of the top quarterbacks in the nation and new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn has the Bruin defense playing at a high level.

UCLA has yet to play a Power 5 team, but its defense is seventh in points allowed per game, eighth in tackles for loss per game, and tied for third in total interceptions.

That makes the status of Cam Rising’s availability even more impactful. The senior quarterback’s mobility and decision-making drastically changes the efficiency of Utah’s offense.

If Rising plays and is his normal self, Lynn’s defense must contain him in the pocket and prevent the quarterback runs that he executes so well. It’s a substantial challenge for the first-year coordinator and a Litmus Test for his abilities.

On the other sideline, Morgan Scalley’s defense has to contend with Moore’s flawless execution.

The true freshman has yet to play a defense anywhere near Utah’s caliber. But, Moore is third nationally in yards per pass attempt and fifth in passing efficiency.

It would be unwise to focus on defending the pass, though, with UCLA entering the game third in the country in rushing yards per game.

Coming to Salt Lake City with a 60/40 run-pass split favoring the run, Chip Kelly’s offense is dangerous.

There’s a reason UCLA is ranked. The Bruins have a dangerous combination of elite offense and defense that can get the job done at Rice-Eccles.

If any of the higher-ranked Pac-12 teams are on Upset Alert, it’s the Utes.

Arizona at Stanford

Saturday, September 23
4:00 pm PT, Pac-12 Network

It’s still early in the season, but this matchup with the Cardinal is one the Wildcats can’t afford to drop.

Troy Taylor runs an innovative, shotgun-based offense that is capable of creating big plays.

The Stanford coach may not yet have the personnel to execute it effectively, but the scheme is in place and could challenge Johnny Nansen’s defense.

The play-calling is skewed towards the run, though, arguably playing into the hands of Arizona’s strength.

The Wildcats enter the game No. 24 in rushing yards allowed per game despite playing two opponents with run-based offenses.

Taylor will be keenly aware of UA’s strength, however, and figures to focus more on the pass in Palo Alto. Nansen’s 4-2-5 scheme is No. 65 in passing yards allowed per game and No. 101 in passing efficiency defense.

The Arizona secondary and linebackers could get burned with the pre and post-snap eye candy Taylor uses, along with the creative route trees that the receivers run.

But, if UA’s strong defensive line can wreak havoc, the Stanford quarterbacks could struggle.

On offense, the Wildcats face a Cardinal defense that hasn’t been able to stop anyone.

The Tree are second-to-last in the Pac-12 in total defense and dead-last in points allowed per game. That presents an opportunity for Jayden de Laura and the UA receivers to feast.

Look for Jedd Fisch to get into a play-calling rhythm that leads to chunk plays both on the ground and in the air. Unless Arizona commits multiple turnovers and gets gashed on the ground, the Cats should leave with a win.

No. 14 Oregon State at No. 21 Washington State

Saturday, September 23
4:00 pm PT, Fox

But the single Oregon State victory came last season and the Beavers are arguably a better team this year.

The offenses that each team runs are dramatically juxtaposed and in many ways opposite.

OSU has the top offensive line in the Pac-12, which is predicated on the run and prefers to limit the number of passing attempts it executes.

Ben Arbuckle’s offense, on the other hand, is pass-happy and rarely utilizes the traditional ground game.

Each is a strong system in its own way, yet Oregon State has a stronger defense. The Beavers are 11th nationally in points allowed per game, 12th in total defense, and tied for seventh in sacks per game.

Arbuckle’s system with Cam Ward running the show, however, is the toughest offense OSU has faced to date. Wazzu is sixth in the nation in points per game with a scheme almost entirely reliant on the pass.

The Cougs still struggle along the line, though. Coming into the matchup tied for 79th in sacks allowed per game, Ward might not have the time he needs to effectively run the offense. If that’s the case, Washington State could have problems moving the ball the way it did in the second half against Wisconsin.

And matched up against a Beaver offense capable of grinding out games on the ground and then punching deep shots downfield off of play-action, Jake Dickert must be worried.

It’s an old-school-style offense built with an elite offensive line. It may not be flashy, but Oregon State has what it takes to make it two straight against the Cougs.

Unless DJ Uiagalelei is flustered by Wazzu’s pressure or makes mistakes executing the passing plays, the Beavs should find a way to win.

California at No. 8 Washington

Saturday, September 23
7:30 pm PT, ESPN

Michael Penix Jr. leads the country in passing yards per game while the Huskies are No. 8 nationally in points per game.

But, California’s strength is its secondary. The Bears are No. 34 in the country in passing yards allowed per game and No. 46 in passing efficiency defense.

Justin Wilcox’s team has produced five interceptions to start the year and has experienced defensive backs running the show.

There has yet to be an opposing coordinator in America that has schemed up a game plan to stop Washington’s system, yet Cal at least has the personnel available to make it more difficult.

The key to beating the Bears, though, is stifling their traditional rushing attack. Jaydn Ott, Isaiah Ifanse, and Ashton Stredick form one of the top running back units in the Conference.

The group has combined to produce the country’s No. 5 rushing offense.

The quarterback situation for the Bears, on the other hand, is a problem. Sam Jackson creates a respectable threat to run that helps open lanes for his running backs, yet he’s inefficient through the air.

Completing only 53.7 percent of his passes for just 267 yards on the season, the Bears are worryingly one-dimensional. In fact, California is 96th nationally in passing yards per game and No. 106 in passing efficiency.

That makes the game plan relatively straightforward for Washington’s defense: sell out to defend the run and force Jackson to beat them with his arm.

The result could be a handful of chunk plays over the top, but as long as the Cal ground game is relatively contained the job should get done.

Washington’s defensive strength is its front seven, too, creating an analytical matchup that disfavors the Bears. It might not be as wide of a margin as some expect, but the Dawgs should handle business.

No. 5 USC at Arizona State

Saturday, September 23
7:30 pm PT, Fox

The Sun Devils have been spectacularly ineffective on offense to start the year, but that could change with reports indicating Kenny Dillingham is taking over the play-calling duties.

Still, ASU has a substantial number of injuries within its offensive line that have led to numerous injuries to its quarterbacks.

Reports out of Tempe are indicating Drew Pyne could be available to play, but both Jaden Rashada and Trenton Bourguet have been ruled out.

The personnel issues on offense are a problem facing a USC defense angry at the outside perception of the group. Alex Grinch figures to call an aggressive game plan with a heavy emphasis on blitzing and creating turnovers.

The Sun Devils coughed up eight against Fresno State last week and Grinch’s calling card at USC has been creating TO’s.

And despite Brian Ward working wonders with Arizona State’s defense, no one has been able to slow down Lincoln Riley’s offense. The Trojans are No. 1 in the country in points per game and have incredible depth at the skill positions.

It’s a recipe for disaster for the Sun Devils.

The largest Trojan margin of victory in the series is 50 points and that could be broken this Saturday on national television.

There’s no beating around the bush: Arizona State is one of the worst teams in the FBS at this point of the season and it faces arguably the top team in the country coming off a bye week.

The Sun Devil faithful figure to be in for a long night.

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