Dane Miller’s Week 7 Pac-12 Football Previews

That depth has caused the voices angling for a change of quarterback to grow louder by the week. True freshman Ty Thompson has sat on the sidelines while Anthony Brown struggled to operate Joe Moorhead’s offense.

The unwillingness to make a change under center has kept Oregon within striking distance of weaker programs, and might have cost the Ducks the game against Stanford.

But the Buffs’ defense is stouter, holding opponents to 23.8 points per contest while the Cats give up 31.6.

The keys to the game figure to be the efficiency of CU’s rushing attack and Brendon Lewis’ execution of the passing game.

Putting pressure on the quarterback appeared to pay dividends for ASU last weekend, and Jake Dickert may copy the strategy Antonio Pierce utilized.

Yet, the 4-2-5 scheme is geared toward stopping the run, and the system was exploited by USC’s pass-heavy Air Raid. The Cardinal average the fewest rushing yards per game in the Pac-12, and McKee is attempting 30.5 throws per night.

With a one-dimensional offense, the Stanford gunslinger will test Dickert’s scheme.

The wildcard, though, is the play of Jayden de Laura. Poor decisions in the passing game must be limited, as turnovers in the red zone could cost Washington State the game.

But de Laura’s mobility and consistent threat to the run should result in an efficient Cougar offense that is able to put up points and move the sticks on third down.

UCLA at Washington

Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA
Saturday, October 16
5:30 p.m. PT, FOX

The three-pronged rushing attack of Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Zach Charbonnet, and Brittain Brown figure to take full advantage.

And with an 11-to-2 touchdown to interception ratio, DTR should light up the UW secondary preoccupied with stopping the run. Kyle Philips and Greg Dulcich are deadly weapons to throw to, but the Dawgs allow just 19.6 points per game.

With the Pac-12’s No. 2 scoring defense, Jimmy Lake’s gameplan might be to avoid giving up the big play and clamp down in the red zone.

The deciding-factor could be the production of Dylan Morris. The Husky quarterback has thrown six picks to just seven touchdowns, and has -15 total rushing yards.

Morris’ longest scramble of the season is for 15 yards, allowing Jerry Azzinaro to call a blitz-heavy game.

But if Morris handles the pressure and limits his turnovers, Washington’s defense could slow down UCLA just enough for the Dawgs to secure the victory.

No. 18 Arizona State at Utah

Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
Saturday, October 16
7:00 p.m. PT, ESPN

But Utah is undefeated in conference play, fresh off an historic victory over USC in L.A. On a collision coarse, the two programs square off in a game that could decide the South.

Utah’s run defense is fifth in the Pac-12, allowing 129.4 yards per game. But the Utes have given up just three rushing touchdowns all season, and have a front seven capable of limiting the ASU running backs.

That could leave Jayden Daniels to get the job done through the air against the Pac-12’s No. 5 passing defense. Utah has allowed eight TD’s through the air, but Daniels has only found the end zone in two of Arizona State’s six games.

The clash of offensive firepower and defensive prowess could result in a low scoring game that turns into an Instant Classic.

Antonio Pierce’s defense doesn’t back down from anyone, and Kyle Whittingham can be sure Pierce has spent all week scheming up ways to frustrate Cameron Rising.

Assuming the battle between the Sun Devil offense and Ute defense is a wash, the game will be won and lost when Utah has the ball.

If Arizona State shuts down the Utah passing attack, the Sun Devils should advance to 6-1 and obtain full control of the South.

SportsPac12 Football Writers Week 7 Game Picks