By Spencer McLaughlin of Locked on CFB for SuperWest Sports

---

After early season stumbles against Marshall and Stanford, it appeared that Notre Dame wouldn’t be able to present much of a challenge against USC in the regular season finale.

The Irish come into LA on Saturday winners of five straight, but that shouldn’t give Trojan fans too much pause about their biggest non-conference rival.

On today’s episode of Locked On Pac-12, I’m joined by senior writer/editor at BeaverBlitz.com, Carter Bahns, to go through the Saturday slate of games in rivalry week.

In the game formerly known as the Civil War, Oregon State at Reser Stadium in Corvallis has the opportunity to play spoiler for the Ducks—and their team, combined with the situation of the game, could allow them to do just that.

Washington needs help to reach the Pac-12 Championship Game, but first,/ they have to take care of business against Washington St in the Apple Cup—in Pullman, and the Cougs have won three straight in impressive fashion.

Spencer and Carter go through the biggest questions for both teams heading into the latest edition of one of the oldest rivalries in the Pac-12.

• Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order

• BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds, and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts!

• Rock Auto has an amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.