Around the Pac-12: Week 13 Football Schedule

Rivalry week in college football is upon us with four in-state matchups. There’s a dual in the desert, a Civil War, a bear bowl, the Apple Cup, and the Rocky Mountain Rumble are a part of the this week’s schedule in the Pac-12. Here’s a look at the at the last week of the season with No. 11 USC on a bye before championship week.

CALIFORNIA BEARS (5-6, 2-6 Pac-12) vs. UCLA BRUINS (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12)

Friday, Nov. 24 | 8:30 pm MT | TV: Fox Sports 1

The bear bowl returns to Westwood’s campus with both teams needing a win for a bowl berth. UCLA’s firing of Jim Mora could be a much needed jolt for the Bears’ postseason hopes. It could also be Josh Rosen’s last game in a Bruins’ uniform, as he’s likely to declare eligible for next year’s NFL Draft. Rosen’s currently third in school history with 9,100 passing yards and 57 touchdowns. UCLA is a perfect 5-0 at home this season for the first time since 2013.

ARIZONA WILDCATS (7-4, 5-3 Pac-12) vs. ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS (6-5, 5-3 Pac-12)

Saturday, Nov. 25 | 2:30 pm MT | TV: PAC12N

The battle for supremacy in the State of Arizona kicks off in the valley of the sun Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats offense marches on after rushing for 150+ yards in the past 17 games, and in the past seven with Heisman hopeful Khalil Tate under center. Arizona has a record 44 rushing touchdowns this season, crushing the previous total of 36 set in 2013. Tate needs just 35 yards to replace Art Luppino for fifth all-time on UA’s single-season rushing list. As for ASU, the red zone efficiency streak continued last week for the Sun Devils, who have gone 40-of-41 (97.6 %) overall on the season and lead the nation.

OREGON STATE BEAVERS (1-10, 0-8 Pac-12) vs. OREGON DUCKS (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12)

Saturday, Nov. 25 | 5:00 pm MT | TV: ESPN2

The 121st meeting of the Civil War will be decided at Autzen Stadium. Oregon bounced back to a bowl game in Willie Taggart’s first season after he succeeded Mark Helfrich. The Beavers hope to turn things around with a new coach next season, but can upset the Ducks for a second straight year. Royce Freeman’s career at Oregon comes to a close as the school’s leading rusher with 5,499 yards and counting. He’s currently ninth in NCAA history and second all-time in the Pac-12. Freeman also owns Oregon’s record with 62 touchdowns and is one shy the Pac-12’s mark held by Oregon State’s Ken Simonton (59 TDs, 1998-2001).

No. 8 NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (9-2) vs. No. 21 STANFORD CARDINAL (8-3, 7-2 Pac-12)

Saturday, Nov. 25 | 6:00 pm MT | TV: ABC

Stanford’s Bryce Love and Notre Dame’s Josh Adams have a final week to show the nation both are worthy of being a Heisman finalist. This games is in prime time and not buried after dark like most of Stanford’s prior games this season. Love leads the nation with 172.3 yards per game, eclipsing the 150 yard mark seven times this year. Adams averages 121.5 yards per game and is fourth in the nation with 7.8 yards per carry.

Brian Kelly and the Irish constructed a great season, and with a victory against Stanford would match the second-best turnaround in school history. It would likely earn the Irish a spot in a New Year’s Day six bowl game. Notre Dame would also sweep the rival trophies game for the year with the Legends Trophy coming back to South Bend. Stanford is looking to avoid a home loss and continue their 17-game home winning streak against non-conference opponents.

No. 13 WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS (9-2, 6-2 Pac-12) vs. No. 17 WASHINGTON HUSKIES (9-2, 6-2 Pac-12)

Saturday, Nov. 25 | 6:00 pm MT | TV: FOX

The hype for the Apple Cup is high in a winner-take-all scenario for the North Division title. Washington State has nine wins for the first time since 2003 and can secure their first-ever Pac-12 Championship Game appearance with a win. Washington has dominated the in-state rivalry with a 14-6 record in the past 20 meetings, including a current four-game winning streak. Cougars quarterback Luke Falk has a record 29 games with 300-yard passing games along with owning the Pac-12 passing records for yards (14,117) and touchdowns (118).

COLORADO BUFFALOES (5-6, 2-6 Pac-12) vs. UTAH UTES (5-6, 2-6 Pac-12)

Saturday, Nov. 25 | 6:00 pm MT | TV: FOX Sports 1

It’s a battle of the Rockies with the winner waltzing into a bowl berth. It’s a lot different from last year when these two teams played for a spot in the Pac-12 Championship. Steven Montez was benched at halftime of the 28-0 shutout against Washington State on Oct. 21 and responded by throwing for 1,068 yards in the last three games. That’s the most by any Pac-12 quarterback over the same span. Utah’s season has bounced in the opposite direction with four near upsets over ranked opponents. A win for the Utes would send them bowling for a fourth straight season.