The matchup between Oregon and Cal isn’t the only Pac-12 game this weekend. There are four other conference tilts on Saturday, each between fairly balanced teams in a wide open Pac-12. Here’s a preview of the other action.
Colorado (2-0) @ Oregon State (3-1)
12 p.m. PT Pac-12 Network
The undefeated Buffaloes look to stay unbeaten against the heart-attack Beavers, who have won three straight after being upset in week one by Eastern Washington, who plays in the FCS. Oregon State’s last two wins were dramatic, as they blew a 17-point lead against Utah before winning in overtime two weeks ago and staged a comeback win against San Diego State last weekend. Oregon State and Colorado both have prolific passing games, ranked third and seventh, respectively, in passing yards per game in the nation. Colorado has the country’s seventh-best rushing defense, which becomes moot against OSU’s pass-heavy offense, led by Sean Mannion and Brandin Cooks, who lead the country in passing yards and receiving yards, respectively.
Arizona (3-0) @ No. 16 Washington (3-0)
4 p.m. PT Fox
Two undefeated teams square off at the newly renovated Husky Stadium, where Washington is 2-0 this season. The Wildcats have cruised to victory in their first three contests and have put up elite rushing stats with their four-headed running game. They also rank third nationally in points per game (8.7), but will be tested by UW, which has a superb rushing attack of their own, led by Bishop Sankey. Two great running teams with stingy defenses should be an interesting spectacle Saturday evening.
No. 5 Stanford (3-0) @ Washington State (3-1)
7 p.m. PT ESPN/WatchESPN
The fifth-ranked Cardinal haven’t been overly impressive in their first three games but present a balanced offensive attack that may have to lean on the running game this weekend. The Cougars have allowed the second-fewest passing yards per game (118.3) and have yet to yield a passing touchdown while forcing six interceptions. WSU beat their lone ranked opponent thus far and has a strong passing game led by Connor Halliday, who is sixth in the country in passing yards (1,288).
USC (3-1) @ Arizona State (2-1)
7:30 p.m. PT ESPN2/WatchESPN
The Lane Kiffin-led (for now) Trojans have been disappointing offensively through four games this season, scoring 22.3 points per game (96th nationally). They do however have a stout run defense, which ranks third in the country in rushing yards per game (59.25). That shouldn’t be a problem for junior quarterback Taylor Kelly and the Sun Devils, who like to air it out to the tune of the country’s eighth-best passing game.