By Jack Follman, SuperWest Sports

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T he preseason is in the books and Conference play is in full swing in weeks four and five of our simulated season. Every Pac-12 game has big implications early, but among those that stand out in this two-week stretch are ASU at USC, Utah at Cal, USC at Utah, and Washington at Oregon.

Don’t forget to check out the updated simulated Pac-12 standings at the bottom of each week, and let me know what you think. Remember, these are just my opinions, and I would love to debate and talk about any or all of my picks on Twitter (follow @JackFollman to play along).

 

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Week Four (September 26)

 

 

Arizona State at USC

Series History: Trojans lead 22-13

USC 38, Arizona State 27

 

Both these teams know the Pac-12 South will be really hard to win going into this game, and the Trojans control it throughout with their more-experienced and more-talented offense and good-enough defense.  Consequently, the Trojans take early command of the South with their second conference win.

 

 

Utah at Cal

Series History: Tied 6-6.

Cal 17 Utah 13

 

A defensive struggle ensues in Berkeley and the more-veteran Bears get the win at home behind more late-game heroics from Chase Garbers, who starts the season with a surprise run at Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year due to his clutch performances late in wins.

 

 

Oregon at Colorado

Series History: Ducks lead 13-9.

Oregon 38, Colorado 10

 

 

Washington State at Oregon State

Series History: Cougars lead 54-47-3.

Oregon State 41, Washington State 38

 

 

Stanford at UCLA

Series History: Bruins lead 46-42-3.

UCLA 31, Stanford 28

 

 

Week 4 Simulated 2020 Pac-12 Standings

North Division
Team	Conf	Overall
Cal	1-0	4-0
Oregon	1-0	3-1
OSU	1-0	3-1
Washington	0-0	3-0
Stanford	1-2	2-2
WSU	0-1	3-1
South Division
Team	Conf	Overall
USC	2-0	3-1
UCLA	1-0	4-0
ASU	0-1	3-1
Utah	0-1	3-1
Arizona	0-1	2-2
Colorado	0-1	2-2

 

 

Week Five (October 2-3)

 

 

USC at Utah

Series History: Trojans lead 12-6.

Utah 30, USC 27

 

It’s Utah’s turn to get the upset at home over USC after the Trojans did it to them last year. The new-look Utah offense comes of age at home and Jordan Wilmore finds success on the ground while Utah’s retooled defense is able to slow down the Trojan air raid just enough seal the win.

 

 

Arizona at UCLA

Series History: Bruins lead 25-17-2.

UCLA 48, Arizona 45

 

 

Oregon State at Arizona State

Series History: Sun Devils lead 29-14-1.

Arizona State 37, Oregon State 31

 

 

Cal at Washington State

Series History: Bears lead 48-28-5.

Cal 28, Washington State 21

 

 

Washington at Oregon

Series History: Huskies lead 60-47-5.

Washington 28, Oregon 27

 

The Ducks and Huskies lock up in another ultra-tight battle. The Huskies come off a bye week this year and get the one-point win with tight defense and a ball control attack that scores a go-ahead touchdown in the final moments.

 

 

Week 5 Simulated 2020 Pac-12 Standings

 

North Division
Team	Conf	Overall
Cal	2-0	5-0
Washington	1-0	4-0
Oregon	1-1	3-2
OSU	1-1	3-2
Stanford	1-2	2-2
WSU	0-2	3-2
South Division
Team	Conf	Overall
UCLA	2-0	5-0
USC	2-1	3-2
ASU	1-1	4-1
Utah	1-1	4-1
Colorado	0-1	2-2
Arizona	0-2	2-3

Previous Installments of Jack Follman’s Simulated Season

Part 1

Part 2