Pac-12 Previews and Predictions: Week 7
The Pac-12 is quickly becoming the second-best conference in college football these days. Some may argue that this conference is very close to overtaking the mighty SEC with all of the top teams in features across the conference.
The Oregon Ducks are the clear-cut favorite to win the conference title as of right now, but it won’t be long before people start talking about the Washington Huskies, UCLA Bruins and Stanford Cardinal. While many people could argue that Stanford is the favorite to win the conference title right now since they made it to the Rose Bowl a season ago, but Oregon is just too hot right now to not be mentioned as the top team from the Pac-12.
Week six began with the Bruins taking to the road to play the Utah Utes and winning in close manner. The Bruins and Jim Mora are more confident now than ever before with their unbeaten record through six weeks of the 2013 season.
When Oregon traveled to take on the Colorado Buffaloes, no one expected the type of beat-down that the Ducks administered on the Buffs. Oh wait, yes they did. Oregon proved once again why they are the best team in the conference and quite possible the best team in college football. The Ducks won 57-16 and it was the fifth-straight shellacking to begin the season for Oregon.
Playing at a neutral location, the Arizona State Sun Devils had a hard time with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, losing a game no one thought they would.
Finally, in the prime-time game of the week, the Cardinal hosted the Huskies and the game went down to the wire before Stanford pulled it off in the end and proved to be the better team.
Check out the week seven Pac-12 previews and predictions for each game.
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].
Arizona at USC
USC will be playing in their its first game without Lane Kiffin as head coach in a few years -- and that can only be a good thing. It seems like the players are rallying around each other and the passing game will get back on track thanks to wide out Marquise Lee. Expect this to be a high-scoring affair, however.
PREDICTION: Arizona 38, USC 42
No. 2 Oregon at No. 16 Washington
Marcus Mariota is easily played the best football of any quarterback in the nation right now. Keith Price, on the Huskies, is also playing some pretty solid quarterback. It will come down to who can make the most plays and that will be Mariota and the Ducks. Too many playmakers on Oregon for Washington to stop.
PREDICTION: Oregon 40, Washington 34
No. 5 Stanford at Utah
Stanford has the difference-maker in this game in Kevin Hogan as well as the X-factor in Ty Montgomery. Utah quarterback Travis Wilson has a turnover problem that the Stanford defense is sure to take advantage of as well.
Colorado at Arizona State
Arizona State and Taylor Kelly will be looking to take out their anger after a tough loss to Notre Dame in week six. Don't be surprised if Kelly takes advantage of the weak secondary of COlorado just like Mariota did in week six.
PREDICTION: Colorado 17, Arizona State 37
Oregon State at Washington State
Oregon State's passing attack will be too much for the Washington State defense to handle -- as it has been for everyone else this season as well. Sean Mannion has over 2,000 yards and 21 passing touchdowns this season -- unreal through six weeks.
PREDICTION: Oregon State 38, Washington State 28
California at No. 11 UCLA
While Jared Goff might be one of the best freshman quarterbacks in the nation for the Golden Bears, Brett Hundley might be the best quarterback in the conference -- or close to it -- for the Bruins. The Heisman-contender will have no problem taking down the one-win Bears at home.
PREDICTION: Cal 14, UCLA 37
