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Week eight and we’re now officially past the halfway point in the college football season. Nine Pac-12 teams are in action on Saturday with one non-conference matchup. Four conference teams are ranked coming out of last weekend’s upsets and marks the fifteenth consecutive week with four or more teams in the polls. Here’s the five games on the schedule for this week.
OREGON DUCKS (4-3, 1-3 Pac-12) vs. UCLA BRUINS (3-3, 1-2 Pac-12)
Saturday, Oct. 21 | 2:00 pm MT | TV: Pac-12 Network
Oregon has dropped back-to-back conference games vs. No. 11 Washington State and at No. 23 Stanford by a combined score of 82-17. The Ducks high-flying offense hit a record-low, scoring under 10 points in the past two games for the first time since 2006. The school’s all-time leading rusher Royce Freeman continues to lead the offensive attack this season with 797 yards and 10 touchdowns. UCLA’s Josh Rosen leads the Pac-12 with 2,354 passing yards this season and is currently projected as one of the top quarterbacks in next year’s NFL Draft. He has the opportunity to defeat Oregon for the first time in his career. The Ducks have a six-game winning streak over the Bruins and a seventh could likely ignite Jim Mora’s hot seat.
ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS (3-3, 2-1 Pac-12) vs. UTAH UTES (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12)
Saturday, Oct. 21 | 2:30 pm MT | TV: FOX
Last week’s 13-7 win for Arizona State over No. 7 Washington was the seventh upset during Todd Graham’s tenure. Two of the three wins for the Sun Devils this season have come against ranked opponents and they will likely have another chance in two weeks vs. USC. Utah was edged out by the same Trojans’ team in a 28-27 loss last weekend. The Utes have battered opponents with their style of play, controlling the clock with an FBS leading time of possession average of 33:07 per game. It will be friendly surroundings at home for Utah, who’re looking to extend the current two game win streak over ASU.
ARIZONA WILDCATS (4-2, 2-1 Pac-12) vs. CALIFORNIA BEARS (4-3, 1-3 Pac-12)
Saturday, Oct. 21 | 6:00 pm MT | TV: Pac-12 Network
Arizona’s backup turned starting quarterback Khalil Tate continues to light up Pac-12 foes. Two weeks ago after setting the FBS record for rushing yards against Colorado, he returned to Tucson vs. UCLA and didn’t skip a beat. Tate has racked up 859 yards of total offense in those two contests with 8 touchdowns. Cal’s 37-3 win over No. 8 Washington State was a shocker, especially holding Luke Falk without a touchdown for only the third time in his career. It’s been a complete defensive effort for the Bears this season, leading the nation with 20 turnovers (12 INT’s, 8 fumble rec.) in addition to 20 sacks.
No. 11 USC TROJANS (6-1, 4-1 Pac-12) vs. No. 13 NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (5-1, Independent)
Saturday, Oct. 21 | 8:30 pm MT | TV: NBC
The scene is set for what’s expected to be a great matchup in South Bend. USC enters the must-win non-conference matchup against the Irish hoping to stay afloat in the championship conversation. Sam Darnold lifted the Trojans to a 45-27 victory in last year’s meeting at the coliseum and is 15-2 as a starter. Notre Dame has yet to face an offense like USC’s and will have to make adjustments for Darnold’s game management. Notre Dame rusher Josh Adams and quarterback Brandon Wimbush will have to play flawless to keep this game close.
COLORADO BUFFALOES (4-3, 1-3 Pac-12) at No. 15 WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12)
Saturday, Oct. 21 | 8:45 pm PT | TV: ESPN
Colorado rolls into Pullman with the potential to play the role as a spoiler by pushing Washington State out of the Pac-12 championship race. Phillip Lindsay continues to be a dominant workhorse for the Buffaloes and is likely to reach the 1,000 yard rushing plateau this weekend. All eyes are on CU’s defense and how they can contain Luke Falk. Washington State’s all-time leading passer is 422 yards shy of setting the top career mark for the Pac-12 held by Oregon State’s Sean Mannion (13,600 yards, 2011-14).