Jack Follman's 2023 Pac-12 Football Trap Games

Jack Follman’s 2023 Pac-12 Football Trap Games

Marquee showdowns get the most attention but trap games frequently decide the season

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Posted on March 27, 2023


  By Jack Follman, SuperWest Sports

We’ve been through the biggest games in the Pac-12 in 2023 on the schedule—conference and non-conference.

Now it’s time to look at the games that could sneak up on us.

The marquee showdowns get the most attention—and rightfully so—yet, it’s these upsets and trap games that frequently decide the season.

I define a trap game where one team should be favored but it feels like there is a decent chance they could get upset for a variety of reasons.

For this list, I’m choosing games for each team in the conference so, obviously, my assessment of how good each team is determines which one (the team mentioned first) is most likely to be trapped.

So let’s get to it. Here is what I think are the biggest trap games for each Pac-12 program going into the 2023 season.

Arizona at Stanford

September 23

This feels like a year where the Wildcats can break through and get back to a bowl game.

There’s no margin for error, though, and their conference opener could easily determine if they get to one or not.

Playing in Palo Alto could easily be their easiest Pac-12 challenge but it’s still one they’re capable of losing, especially if they look ahead to trying to upset Washington the week after in Tucson.

Arizona State vs. Fresno State

September 16

The Sun Devils are in rebuild mode and every win is going to be tough.

Unfortunately for them, their second-toughest game is against a strong Mountain West program and it’s not going to be easy.

It’s also sandwiched between huge games with Oklahoma State and USC and they can’t afford to lose it and risk starting the season quickly in the hole.

Cal at North Texas

September 2

The Bears are in the club where almost every game this season could be a trap game since they’re trying to pick themselves back up.

An opener against a sneaky decent mid-major on the road is a huge trap game. They can’t look past this game at all or their season could quickly get off the rails.

Colorado vs. Colorado State

September 16

Coach Prime starts with a nightmare schedule.

They open at TCU and then host Nebraska and the only game they could be favored in all season follows those against rival Colorado State.

This is an absolute must-win for the Buffs. They can’t get gassed against TCU and Nebraska and get trapped by their in-state rival.

Oregon at Arizona State

November 18

The Ducks host USC and Oregon State in massive November showdowns to close the season.

Resting in the middle of those games is a trip to Tempe, which is always tricky for Pac-12 opponents.

Plus, 2022 Oregon offensive coordinator, Kenny Dillingham is at the helm for the Sun Devils and assuredly will have his sights set on what will likely be a huge chance for a statement win in his first year.

Oregon State at Washington State

September 23

Expectations are sky-high for the Beavers this year after a big 2022.

That means they’re going to have a target on their back this season though and every game is going to be bigger.

Opening conference play in Pullman won’t be a game that is likely heavily circled going into it, but it’s one where they’re going to get a huge punch from the Cougars and will have to be up for a week before a showdown with Utah.

Stanford vs. Sacramento State

September 16

This 2023 season looks tough for the Cardinal.

This is the only game I think they might be favored in, against their new coach’s old team.

They can’t overlook this one, especially a week after playing at USC, and against a team that will likely be set on kill to beat them.

UCLA vs Cal

November 25

The Bruins play at USC the second-to-last week of the year and win or lose, it’s going to be hard to rally for one more game against a Cal team that likely won’t be a big-time matchup.

There could still be things at stake for the Bruins, but they’ll have to stay up or could risk dropping a late game to a scrappy Cal team.

USC at Cal

October 28

The Trojans have a scary stretch in October and November and right in the middle of it is a road trip to Berkeley against a Cal team that always seems to play them tough.

It’s a game they absolutely cannot overlook and the kind of game that has tripped them up in the past.

Utah vs. Arizona State

November 4

Utah’s season will likely be defined by an October/November stretch where they play Oregon, USC, and Washington.

In the middle of all that is a game against Arizona State, which should be a tough squad under Kenny Dillingham and could come into Salt Lake City and pull off an upset if Utah isn’t ready.