As we head into Week 6 of PAC 12 football, Washington is the only remaining Top 10 team. With that being said, a win for the Huskies over the Bruins this week wouldn’t necessarily help their College Football Playoff bid. However, a loss would most certainly ruin it. Here’s a preview and prediction of how this weeks match-ups will shake up:
ARIZONA ST. @ COLORADO – Sat 10/6, 1:00 PM PST (PAC12 Network)
The No. 21 Colorado Buffs are off to a 4-0 start and are the only remaining undefeated team in the PAC 12. The Buffs will look to go 5-0 against two-loss Arizona State at home in Boulder, Colorado. While Colorado QB Steven Montez’s aerial attack has helped the Buffs thus far, I believe their lack of experience against ranked teams will start to show against ASU’s relentless run game. Eno Benjamin rushed for a Sun Devil record 312 yards and 4 touchdowns last week, as ASU steamrolled Oregon State. The Sun Devils will try to repeat that success against Colorado by repeating that formula and feeding Benjamin carries all afternoon. The game will be close, but I think the pressure to remain undefeated will get to the Buffs, as ASU gets a win in enemy territory.
Prediction: Arizona St 35 – Colorado 28
(10) WASHINGTON @ UCLA – Sat 10/6, 4:30 PM PST (FOX)
Chip Kelly & the 0-4 UCLA Bruins host No. 10 Washington this week, with the Huskies coming to Pasadena as 21-point favorites. The Huskies, being the only CFP contender remaining in the PAC 12, need to look flawless to cement their bid moving forward. A 35-7 rout of BYU last week was just a nice statement. But if they had held on for just 41 more seconds in the 4th a shutout would have looked even better. Look for the Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin to repeat last weeks performance in a game with a similar outcome.
Prediction: Washington 42 – UCLA 10
WASHINGTON ST. @ OREGON ST. – Sat 10/6, 6:00 PM PST (PAC12 Network)
Mike Leach and the 4-1 Cougars will seek their 5th win this year as they travel to Corvallis, Oregon. WSU come to town as 17-point favorites, and as we expect Mike Leach to orchestrate an aerial attack all over the field. They will use this match-up to improve their run game as well. The Cougs have 100 first downs achieved through the air, but only 18 earned by the ground. OSU’s weak defense allows Leach some creative flexibility to use his other assets. Bet on Leach to attempt to give his running backs some confidence. Worst case scenario, he can always go back to throwing the ball if that doesn’t go as planned.
Prediction: Washington St 38 – Oregon St 21
CAL @ ARIZONA – SAT 10/6, 7:00 PM PST (FS1)
One week removed from being a ranked team after suffering an ugly loss to the Oregon Ducks, Cal will look to bounce back and get a win on the road. Khalil Tate hasn’t lived up to the hype under Kevin Sumlin, and an ankle injury will force him to beat the bears with his arm. This one will be close, especially if Cal turns the ball over as much as last week. But count on the Bears to control the ball and come home with a win.
Prediction: Cal 28 – Arizona 24
UTAH @ (14) STANFORD – Sat 10/6, 7:30 PM PST (ESPN)
Both teams fresh off a loss will look to get back to form in prime time Saturday night. Stanford got a taste of reality when they couldn’t get into rhythm, as Notre Dame handed them their first loss. The first half against the Fighting Irish was a slug fest, but Stanford just couldn’t hang on and looked gassed in the 2nd half. Utah on the other hand had a slug fest of their own, losing on a 89-yard pass for a touchdown late in the 4th against WSU. Utah will stuff the run forcing Stanford to throw the ball. But as we’ve seen this year, Costello and Arcega-Whiteside will be happy to oblige the Utes.
Prediction: Stanford 31 – Utah 24
