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Miller: Week 6 Pac-12 Football Picks and Previews

The Oregon-Washington game remains in jeopardy pending test results

Posted on December 10, 2020


  By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports

When news broke on Wednesday that Washington football players had tested positive for COVID-19, conspiracy theories abounded. The potential cancellation of the rivalry game raised the possibility that the Huskies would be crowned the North Division champions by not playing Oregon, spawning a twitter frenzy that could last years.


 

Soon after, it was determined that the King County 14-day quarantine would likely keep the Huskies from playing in the Pac-12 Championship, were they unable to play the Ducks, and storylines about UW avoiding the game were upended.

Both sides wanted to play. That much seems clear.

But the local Seattle health authorities are in control now.  The Huskies suspended all football activities on Wednesday and Thursday, and the Pac-12 reported the game’s cancellation on Thursday afternoon.

Oregon is reportedly making contingency plays to play another opponent, and we’ll have that news for you if, or when, it breaks. Meanwhile, here are the five previews of the currently scheduled games in the Pac-12.

As always, you’ll find picks from our senior football writers at the bottom of the page.


Arizona State at Arizona

Friday, December 11th
4:00 pm PT, ESPN

The Territorial Cup runs deeper than football.

And with two winless teams facing off against each other, the game arguably takes on a greater meaning than normal.

COVID-19 issues have wrecked Arizona State’s season, while Kevin Sumlin and the Wildcats are on a program-record 11-game losing streak. Something has to give.

Jayden Daniels and the ASU rushing attack project to gash the UA defense as others have done, and the sophomore’s ability to throw the ball just as effectively as pulling it should give the depleted Arizona secondary fits. To make matters worse, Paul Rhoads’ unit is coming off a night that saw it give up 407 on the ground to Colorado.

On the other side of the ball, Grant Gunnell is expected to start after missing most of the past two games. True freshman Will Plummer added a running dimension to the Arizona offense that was missing with Gunnell in the game, but he hasn’t quite developed enough chemistry with his receivers to make the passing game effective.

The return of Gunnell gives the Wildcats a legitimate chance to hang with the Devils. Will it be enough to overcome UA’s deficiencies on defense?

Hey, it’s the Territorial Cup. Anything can happen.


Utah at No. 21 Colorado

Saturday, December 12th
9:00 am PT, FOX

The rivalry between Utah and Colorado was somewhat of an arranged marriage.

Both entered the Pac-12 in the same year, and the matchup was created by default. Since 2011, CU has arguably developed an organic rivalry with Arizona, and perhaps the same could be said of Utah and USC.

But just because the Boulder v. Salt Lake City animosity hasn’t grown to the level that some of the other 100-year-old Pac-12 rivalries enjoy, that doesn’t mean it’s not brewing. And games like this one add fuel to the fire.

The Buffs enter Friday night with an outside shot at a New Year’s Six Bowl. Even if the Fiesta Bowl ends up off the table, the Alamo Bowl isn’t a bad second choice. Unfortunately, Kyle Whittingham stands in the way and is looking to build on his 7-2 mark against Colorado.

But with respectable victories over UCLA and Stanford under their belt, the Buffs should be ready to handle the Utes. Whittingham’s defense is in a rebuild, and his offense features several key newcomers.

The deciding-factor could come down to Utah’s ability to slow down Colorado’s run game and generate turnovers. At the same time, the Utes’ offense can’t afford to turn the ball over as they did against USC and Washington.

In the end, the X-Factors might be the play of Sam Noyer and the CU defense. A strong night from either could carry the day for the Buffs.




Washington at Oregon

UPDATE: THIS GAME HAS BEEN CANCELED AND DECLARED A NO CONTEST DUE TO COVID-19 PROTOCOLS.

Saturday, December 12th
1:00 pm PT, Fox

This one is for all the marbles. If it gets played.

The Pac-12 North Division title is on the line in Eugene, providing an Instant-Classic feel to the game before it’s even played.

The hate between the Ducks and Huskies is palpable and wild, spilling over to twitter and getting personal. And with dueling recruiting classes over the past handful of years, the matchup has risen to a new level.

Both programs take the field coming off a loss, yet each have a championship on their mind. The Dawgs have been plagued with slow starts over the past two games, while UO has played inconsistent on both sides of the ball.

Normally, Autzen Stadium would be rocking at full tilt to energize an Oregon victory, but that element will be absent on Saturday. The advantage that an empty stadium gives to UW is arguably mostly psychological, but it’s an advantage nonetheless.

In rivalry games, even small factors build enough confidence to make a difference on the field.

Still, on paper, UO has a stronger offense that is more capable of putting up points. Tyler Shough has thrown 11 touchdowns compared to Dylan Morris’ four, but Morris has thrown one less interception. On the ground, Sean McGrew has emerged as the primary Washington back, but Kamari Pleasant adds an additional punch behind Morris.

That being said, Shough is arguably a better runner and fits into Mario Cristobal’s offense more smoothly than Morris in Jimmy Lake’s.

This year has been so unpredictable through six weeks, and a defensive struggle wouldn’t be surprising, but this game is liable to turn into an old-fashioned shootout that comes down to the wire.


No. 15 USC at UCLA

Saturday, December 12th
4:30 pm PT, ABC

Things have never been better in Westwood during the Chip Kelly Era. And with a victory over USC already on his resume, his players should be brimming with confidence in their ability to walk away with the Victory Bell.

usc logoStanding in the way is Graham Harrell’s offense. Kedon Slovis and the Trojans are coming off their best performance of the season, a five-touchdown first half against Washington State. The 35 points dropped on the Cougars came in a flurry of touchdown passes on the back of defensive stops and forced turnovers.

Yet, the Bruins are fresh off a fourth quarter comeback-drive from Dorian Thompson-Robinson that secured a victory in Tempe over Arizona State.

With each team full of confidence, the Battle for L.A. should be a barn-burner.

Defensive stops could come at a premium on Saturday, and the winner may end up being the team that commits less turnovers. Jerry Azzinaro’s defense has appeared to turn a page this season for the Bruins, while Todd Orlando has got things together since the Arizona game.

Still, tasked with slowing down the powerful Air Raid and dual-threat DTR, both defensive coordinators could have their hands full.

But for the Trojans, a New Year’s Six bowl and Pac-12 Championship are within reach. The extra motivation that brings can’t be understated, and Slovis and Company should come out hard and fast.


Stanford at Oregon State

Saturday, December 12th

7:30 pm PT, ESPNU

Leading in different directions, the Tree and Beavs do battle in Corvallis. David Shaw has turned Stanford’s season around, while the injury to Tristan Gebbia and the COVID restriction on Jermar Jefferson has put a damper on Oregon State’s strong start.

The momentum favors the Cardinal.

Running back Austin Jones has developed over the four games of this shortened season, taking full advantage of his opportunity by posting seven touchdowns on the ground. His ability to continue running the ball effectively should make things easier for Davis Mills. Though the Oregon State defense isn’t a showstopper, they are more than capable of making life miserable for Mills if the Stanford run game is shut down.

By some small miracle, OSU hasn’t had a game cancelled due to the Coronavirus and enters Week Six with five games on its record. But Jefferson was held out of last weekend’s Utah game, and his status for Saturday is uncertain.

Chance Nolan figures to get his second start of the season due to Gebbia’s injury sustained against Oregon, and the quarterback should play better with a full game under his belt.

The key for the Beavers may be to take any early punches the Cardinal land and come out strong in the second half. The nearly successful comeback in Salt Lake City proved Jonathan Smith’s players don’t give up, and with the Tree spilling with confidence, it could take another late game comeback to get it done.




California at Washington State

Saturday, December 12th
7:30 pm PT, FS1

Nobody is quiet sure what exactly happened in the first quarter against USC, but it’s not something that will be forgotten anytime soon. Ideally, Washington State will use that experience as a learning tool and get better from it.

Perhaps the answer is to be less aggressive on fourth down, but that hasn’t been Nick Rolovich’s M.O. through three games.

Regardless, it’s up to Jayden de Laura to prove the first half in Los Angeles was nothing more than a fluke. The California defense has been porous through most of the year, but the unit is coming off their strongest performance of the season against Oregon.

That shouldn’t make a difference to de Laura, though it remains to be seen how much of a blow his confidence took after leaving the game against Southern California.

On the other sideline, California has an opportunity to reach bowl eligibility. To get there, it must win out. But even that small sliver of hope is enough to motivate its players to make those unnoticed effort-plays that change games.

The matchup to watch is the Cal defense versus de Laura. But WSU’s ability to contain Chase Garbers is just as important. Justin Wilcox’s offense hasn’t put up more than 27 points this year, and eclipsing that mark could be enough to secure the win.

At the same time, a big night from Deon McIntosh and the Cougar rushing attack is arguably the key victory.

WSU is more than capable of winning a shootout, and a lower scoring game favors the Bears.

Buckle up.




Picks from our SportsPac12 Senior Football Writers