
By Jack Follman, SuperWest Sports
November 23, 2021
Well, we finally got a week where things massively shifted in the Pac-12.
Utah’s pulverizing of Oregon not only knocked the Ducks out of CFP contention it also makes the Utes the clear favorite now to win the Pac-12 Championship Game.
After Oregon and Utah the conference is stacking up pretty even with a cluster of teams that could really be lined up in a lot of different ways.
Rose Bowl — Utah vs. Michigan
2:00 p.m. PT, ESPN, January 1, 2022, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
I generally like the team that lost the first game in rematches of teams that are somewhat evenly matched, and despite how horribly Utah beat up Oregon, I think the Ducks and Utes are somewhat well matched.
Yet, the Utes were so convincing there’s no way I can’t pick them to win the Pac-12 Championship, for now, and get a huge trip to the Rose Bowl for Kyle Whittingham and the program.
Alamo Bowl — Oregon vs. Baylor
6:15 p.m., PT, ESPN, December 29, 2021, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Saturday was a disaster for the Ducks, dropping them out of the CFP, and probably setting them up to also lose to Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game and drop out of a NY6-level bowl game.
There’s a slight chance I could see them sneaking into an NY6-level bowl even if they lose to Utah again in two weeks though.
Las Vegas Bowl — UCLA vs. Penn State
7:30 p.m. PT, ESPN, December 30, 2021, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
The Bruins are the top of the heap of Pac-12 teams with 7-8 wins.
They and their three-hour drive to Vegas will be appealing to set up a nice Big Ten-Pac-12 matchup in Sin City.
Holiday Bowl — Arizona State vs. North Carolina State
5:00 p.m. PT, FOX, December 28, 2021, Petco Park, San Diego, CA
The Sun Devils lost a tough one at Oregon State, but they should bounce back and get to eight wins with a win over Arizona in the Territorial Cup.
Sun Bowl — Oregon State vs. Miami
9:30 a.m. PT, CBS, December 31, 2021, Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX
It’s tempting to pick the Beavers to upset the now-reeling Ducks, but I don’t see it happening.
Oregon State will finish with seven wins and land in El Paso.
Los Angeles Bowl — Washington State vs. San Diego State
4:30 p.m. PT, ABC, December 18th, 2021, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
What a wild, weird year for the Cougars. Finishing in the first-ever LA Bowl is the perfect ending.
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