Pac-12 has Light Schedule but Important Matchups

This week the Pac-12 has a lighter slate of games due to Stanford, Utah, Washington and Oregon all having byes. Nevertheless, there are important matchups in the conference with much at stake in the South.

Arizona State has an advantage of one game in the loss column over UCLA, USC and Arizona, but that edge is on the line at Washington State on Halloween Night.

A loss by Arizona State coupled with victories by the other three and the division would be in complete chaos entering the final month of the season.

The other marquee game is Oregon State hosting USC on Friday night, as the Trojans try to remain in the race for the South division, but a loss would eliminate any hope.

The other two games are Saturday and feature UCLA at home against Colorado and Arizona visiting Cal.

Arizona State at Washington State

The Sun Devils (-13.5) lost 37-27 the last time they played at Washington State. It was the first start for Connor Halliday at quarterback and he went on to set a single game freshmen passing record of 494 yards.

Halliday set another record in his last game throwing for 89 passes to set an NCAA record for most passes attempts. The Cougars lost however, 62-38 at Oregon.

However, besides that game he has had a tough season with 18 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions.

With the pressure defense of the Sun Devils, Halliday could be in for a long game.

Pick: Arizona State 48-21

USC at Oregon State

USC has had tough going at Oregon State (-1) with their last win at Reser Stadium in 2004.

Last week Stanford showed the best way to slow Oregon State’s aerial attack, pressure Sean Mannion at quarterback and often. Mannion was sacked on eight occasions and pressured on nearly all of his passes.

The USC defense can do the same with Leonard Williams, Jabari Ruffin and J.R. Tavai. However, the secondary of USC needs to step up as well.

Pick: Oregon State 45-14

Arizona at Cal

This could be an upset week for Cal. Arizona (-14.5) has not played well at Cal, as they have not been victorious there for more than 10 years.

The Golden Bears have the longest winless streak in the Pac-12 at six and this season have not won a single conference game. The Bears will be hungry for a win and have just one more home game left on this season’s schedule following this matchup.

Ka’Deem Carey the talented running back for Arizona leads the nation in rushing yards per game. That is bad news for the rush defense of Cal, which is ranked No. 91 in the nation.

The Arizona defense has intercepted 10 passes this season and returned four for touchdowns.

Pick: Arizona 24-20

Colorado at UCLA

Following two straight road games versus opponents in the Top 5, UCLA (-24) returns to the Rose Bowl for a much needed home game.

The Bruins lost both games and will look to take their frustration out on the Buffaloes. Sefo Linfau the Colorado quarterback has only been sacked once this season, but will be pressured all night by UCLA’s defense.

Defensively Colorado is giving up 44 points a game and that works into the hands of the potent UCLA offense led by Brett Hundley at quarterback. The Bruins have scored only 10 and 14 in their past two losses, but should score plenty in this one.

Pick: UCLA 48-14