Pac-12 Saturday Matchups

The college football regular season is headed down the final stretch and teams are jockeying for position to make their conference championship games and qualify for a bowl appearance. Today the Pac-12 has five games, including matchups with implications for the conference championship and the College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame vs. Arizona State

The Arizona State Sun Devils host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a game the Sun Devils have waited for since losing last year 37-34 to the Irish.

This year Arizona State will be on its home field and enters this matchup with possible College Football Playoff spots on the line for both teams.

Arizona State has turned its season around the past four games due to its performance on defense. However, some doubters believe it has been more about weak competition and not a lot of actual defensive improvement.

Playing against a Notre Dame offense that has a balanced attack will answer the question quickly. Taylor Kelley and the rest of the Arizona State offense will be tested in this game as well.

Pick: Arizona State 17-14

 

Washington State vs. Oregon State

Many anticipated this game as one between two of the best passers in the Pac-12. Oregon State’s Sean Mannion is the new career passing leader in the conference. Connor Halliday was the strong arm quarterback for Washington State until last week when he broke his leg and brought his college career to an end. Luke Falk replaces him for the Cougars. Each team is desperate for a W.

Pick: Oregon State 45-21

UCLA vs. Washington

Turmoil took hold of the Washington football program on Thursday when Marcus Peters a cornerback was dismissed from the team by coach Chris Petersen. Washington has only three scholarship cornerbacks on the team and all are true freshmen.

Brett Hundley the dual treat at quarterback for UCLA will exploit that weakness in the Washington secondary.

The struggling offense for Washington could be in for a long day as the UCLA defense finally had a strong effort last week against Arizona.

Pick: UCLA 38-21

Colorado vs. Arizona

Colorado has been close many times this season but has come up short each time. Time is running out for the Buffaloes to pick up a win in Pac-12 play.

Arizona is pleased that the last place Buffaloes come to town after a difficult loss to UCLA last week.

The Wildcats do not control their own destiny in the South division, but winning 10 games during the regular season is still a possibility.

Arizona has tough matchups looming against Utah and Arizona State, but the team cannot overlook Colorado this week.

Pick: Arizona 45-7

Oregon vs. Utah

Utah will look to return to winning form on Saturday when they host Oregon. However, Oregon comes in on fire after ripping apart the top-rated defense in the Pac-12 last week in a win over Stanford.

This week Oregon faces the No. 2 defense in the Pac-12, which means Heisman Trophy candidate Marcus Mariota at quarterback must be at his best running and passing the ball.

Travis Wilson the starting quarterback for Utah will also have to step up if the Utes expect to stay close to the explosive Ducks. Last week Wilson only managed 57 yards passing.

Pick: Oregon 35-12