Preview of major games;
Cal (4-1) at No. 14 Oregon (3-1) (19 point favorite)
Oregon is probably the best team in the Pac12. Unquestionably, if it weren't for that Eastern bias, the Ducks would be in the Top 10. Their only blunder this season was a mistake-filled final quarter of their season-opening game against No. 7 Auburn. The Ducks dominated almost all the way and looked like they were going to win easily.. But the Tigers rallied and slipped past the Ducks, 27-21. Even if Oregon wins the rest of its games, that loss should keep the team out of the Final Four.
This is not typical Ducks team. Normally their strength is a zippy, race-horse offense that outscores the opposition. But the calling card of this team is its defense, which has allowed just 15 points and no touchdowns in the last three games Its monster pass rush should make life miserable for backup Cal QB Devon Modster, who was held to just 23 yards passing last week by an Arizona State defense nowhere near as ferocious as Oregon's. Cal's offense, subpar under injured starting QB Chase Garbers, will be smothered by the Ducks with Modster in charge.
Cal's exceptional defense, featuring a superb secondary, will have its hands full with the Ducks masterful QB Justin Herbert, who is hitting 74% of his passes, with 14 TDs and no INTs. But with no help from the offense, the Cal defense, on the field far too long, will wear down in the second half.
Prediction: Oregon victory
(No. 15) Washington (4-1) (16.5 favorite) at Stanford (2-3)
Stanford was supposed to be a Top 20 team this year but that plan went out the window quickly when QB KJ Costello was hurt in the first game against Northwestern. Davis Mills has been an adequate replacement but he's no Costello. Under Costello the Stanford offense is smooth, efficient and powerful. However, these days it chugs along slowly and breaks down often.
When facing a first rate passer like Washington's Jacob Eason, the Stanford D really collapses. A transfer from Georgia who gets better each week, Eason has completed 71% of his passes and has only been picked off twice. He will have a field day against Stanford's over matched secondary.
Prediction: Washington wins
Oregon State (1-3) at UCLA (1-4) (6 point favorite)
Only hard core fans of these teams will be watching this battle of the Pac12 bottom dwellers. Though the Bruins are favored, the Beavers look like the better team. First of all, Bruin QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, banged-up in the Arizona loss last week, won't play He triggered the offensive explosion two weeks ago against Washington State, which many hoped was the start of an era of offensive prosperity. But the Bruins fell back to earth with a thud last week. Backup QB Austin Burton's passing and running skills are several notches below DTR's.
The key to this game is Oregon State senior QB Jake Luton, who led a late TD surge that nearly upset Stanford last week, Underrated Luton, who has no INTs, heads a potent offense that averages nearly 500 yards a game. The Beavers should pile up points against a soft Bruin D that gives up 500 yards a game.
Prediction: Oregon State wins.
When facing a first rate passer like Washington's Jacob Eason, the Stanford D really collapses. A transfer from Georgia who gets better each week, Eason has completed 71% of his passes and has only been picked off twice. He will have a field day against Stanford's over matched secondary.
Prediction: Washington wins
Oregon State (1-3) at UCLA (1-4) (6 point favorite)
Only hard core fans of these teams will be watching this battle of the Pac12 bottom dwellers. Though the Bruins are favored, the Beavers look like the better team. First of all, Bruin QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, banged-up in the Arizona loss last week, won't play He triggered the offensive explosion two weeks ago against Washington State, which many hoped was the start of an era of offensive prosperity. But the Bruins fell back to earth with a thud last week. Backup QB Austin Burton's passing and running skills are several notches below DTR's.
The key to this game is Oregon State senior QB Jake Luton, who led a late TD surge that nearly upset Stanford last week, Underrated Luton, who has no INTs, heads a potent offense that averages nearly 500 yards a game. The Beavers should pile up points against a soft Bruin D that gives up 500 yards a game.
Prediction: Oregon State wins.
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