By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
October 28, 2021
This week the Conference of Champions features a full slate of games with all 12 teams in action.
Two intra-divisional matchups kick off at midday when Washington State takes the field in Tempe against Arizona State and Oregon hosts Colorado in Eugene.
The remainder of the games are battles within the North and South divisions, highlighted by Utah-UCLA in prime time.
The results will shape the final stages of the divisional races, and may result in another Pac-12 team finding its way into the AP Top 25.
I preview all six games here and, as always, our football writers’ picks appear at the bottom.
Washington State at Arizona State
Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ
Saturday, October 30
12:00pm PT, FS1
The added firepower should energize the Sun Devil roster playing their first day-time home game of the season.
With temperatures predicted to be in the upper 80s, the home field advantage of playing under the desert sun figures to give ASU an additional boost against the Jake Dickert-led Cougars.
But Dickert’s 4-2-5 scheme is designed to stop the run and could slow down Zak Hill’s gameplan.
Yet, with the triple-threat of Jayden Daniels, Rachaad White, and Daniel Ngata, plus Chip Trayanum—if healthy—the Sun Devils’ ground game could be too much to contain.
Mix in the consistency of Curtis Hodges, LV Bunkley-Shelton, and Ricky Pearsall, and Arizona State’s offense outmatches WSU.
The X-Factor, though, is the production of Jayden de Laura.
Held without a touchdown against BYU, the young leader of Washington State might come out with something to prove. His decision-making and execution are what could tip the scales in favor of the Cougs.
Colorado at No. 7 Oregon
Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
Saturday, October 30
12:30pm PT, Fox
Colorado averages just 15.1 points per game, the sixth-lowest in the FBS, and on the road its struggles are magnified. Averaging eight points per game away from Boulder, the offense under Brendon Lewis isn’t able to move the ball.
The freshman isn’t afforded many opportunities through the air, and is risk-averse during passing plays.
Instead of throwing into tight areas, Lewis holds the ball or tries to make plays with his legs. But with 20 sacks on the year, Karl Dorrell is forced to rely on his run game.
The one-dimensional Colorado offense allows opposing coordinators to gameplan to stop the run and dial up blitzes on obvious passing downs.
Facing such a struggling team, Mario Cristobal could challenge his defense to hold Colorado scoreless. And on national television, the margin of victory and passing the eye test are what the rest of the country wants to see.
Look for Anthony Brown to be in top form, making plays with his arm and legs in a game that gets out of hand by halftime.
Oregon State at California
California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Saturday, October 30
4:00pm PT, Pac-12 Network
Last week’s blowout victory over Colorado should give the Bears confidence in the direction of their season, but that could go out the window with another close loss.
Chase Garbers is having the most productive season of his career, already eclipsing 2,000 total yards of offense.
Yet, facing the Avery Roberts-led Oregon State defense, Garbers must deal with a linebacker corps focused on slowing him down.
Likely to be spied on all game, the senior quarterback’s rushing numbers might be the tell-tale stat that indicates the winner of the game.
If Garbers’ mobility isn’t contained, California could pull off the upset.
That might not matter, though, if Oregon State’s offense continues to run wild. The Beavers’ 35.1 points per game is tops in the Pac-12, and its rushing average of 245 yards per game is seventh in the country.
And with an ultra-efficient Chance Nolan passing the ball 20 times or less per game, it’s an uphill battle for Wilcox to scheme up a winning defensive gameplan.
Arizona at USC
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, October 30
4:00pm PT, ESPNU
Raising the stakes, Don Brown’s press-man scheme matches up with the Air-Raid better than any other offensive system the Wildcats have faced all year.
The UA scheme is guaranteed to bring pressure on the quarterback, and Brown has a strong defensive line to generate penetration. Arizona is fifth in the Conference in tackles for loss and likely plays with nothing to lose at the Coliseum.
If ever there was a day for the USC running backs to explode, this is it. Facing a run defense that’s ninth in the Pac-12, Keaontay Ingram and Vavae Malepeai should eat.
But the backs can only do damage if they are given the ball.
On the other sideline, wide receiver Jamarye Joiner figures to have a prominent role in Jedd Fisch’s offense. Utilized in wildcat formations, Joiner brings a running dynamic that Will Plummer doesn’t have.
If Fisch successfully introduces a wrinkle or two into the scheme, perhaps with Joiner passing the ball multiple times, the Cats could stay in the game long enough to keep things interesting.
UCLA at Utah
Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
Saturday, October 30
7:00pm PT, ESPN
The availability of Dorian Thompson-Robinson remains questionable, but the battle to watch is Jerry Azzinaro’s containment of Cameron Rising’s mobility. The Utah quarterback averages 7.4 yards per carry and is able to change the game with his legs.
With an 11-to-2 touchdown to interception ratio, Rising takes care of the ball by tucking it and running up field when plays break down. The scrambles keep drives alive and open lanes for the Utah running backs, compounding the problems Azzinaro faces.
But a star wide receiver has yet to emerge on the Utah roster. Tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Brant Kuithe have seven combined touchdowns, but the Utes’ longest pass play of the season is a 45-yard completion to freshman Devaughn Vele.
Without a receiver to threaten UCLA over the top, Azzinaro could afford to be more aggressive with his play-calling. The result could be a better-than-expected showing from the Bruin defense, and a game that comes down to the final possession.
Washington at Stanford
Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA
Saturday, October 30
7:30pm PT, FS1
That’s a problem for the Cardinal offense.
David Shaw’s unit lacks a run game and is overly reliant on throwing the ball. But that probably won’t stop Shaw from giving his running backs opportunities.
The Dawgs struggled to stop the run against Arizona, and are likely focused on slowing down Tanner McKee. Breaking tendencies on first and second down could catch UW off guard, and the Cardinal backfield might have its most productive game of the year.
The X-Factor in the matchup figures to be ball security. If the Tree turn the ball over, Lake’s offense is capable of making them pay.
Dylan Morris isn’t going to single-handily win games, but the quarterback is able to capitalize on momentum to lead his team to victory.
At the end of the night, the team that wins the turnover battle should come out on top.
SportsPac12 Football Writers Week 9 Game Picks
-
Final 2024-25 Best in West Men’s Basketball Power Rankings
> Our Dane Miller ranks the Top 10 teams in the region with summary updates for each - April 4, 2025 -
Given No Chance, Arizona Spoiling to Shock World, Duke
> Comparisons to the Wildcats team that lost to the Blue Devils in November no longer hold - March 27, 2025 -
Forcing Turnovers BYU’s Key to Keeping Pace with Tide
> The Cougars allow 71.4 points per game but Bama ranks among nation's worst in errant plays - March 26, 2025