Now that ASU fans have had a chance to breathe and soak in the improbable upset of USC in Los Angeles, the Sun Devils (4-1, 2-1 Pac-12) themselves have come down to Earth in preparation for defending Pac-12 Champion Stanford.
The bye week enables redshirt senior Taylor Kelly to rest, as the coaching staff has indicated he's going to be the starting quarterback against the Cardinal. But more importantly, it allows coach Todd Graham and Co. to watch two of the most important conference games on the schedule this season, both Saturday.
In the craziness that has been the Pac-12 Conference this season, it would almost be odd to see a game that wasn't decided until the final minute, or that featured two missed field goals in the waning seconds. It wouldn't be a stretch to see something equally ludicrous take place this weekend, and it's time to embrace it. Welcome to the jungle, Pac-12. We're glad you're back.
Former UA quarterback B.J. Denker exits the field after UA's defeat to ASU . The Sun Devils defeated UA 58-21 and clinched home field advantage for the 2013 Pac-12 championship. (Photo by Dominic Valente)No. 10 UA vs. USC
What's at stake: For the Wildcats, a shot at the College Football Playoff, and possibly even advancing inside the Top 10 with a convincing win. According to Playoff Status, UA has a 48 percent shot of winning the South (and a conference championship berth), the highest of any team in the conference.
Only UA and Utah control their own destiny in the battle for a trip to Santa Clara, California for the right to play for even higher stakes.
For the Trojans, coach Steve Sarkisian's team might have derailed its chances at a national title, after being ranked as high as 9th in week three. But both ASU and UCLA fans should be watching intently. We'll find out if UA is a legitimate contender and if USC's locker room has the character to rally back after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory last week.
Prediction: UA 35, USC 30
Depending on the showing that USC has on Saturday, the Wildcats could easily steamroll a team demoralized from a week ago. I'm counting on the Trojans putting up a fight, though, and giving UA a major scare.
Sophomore running back De’Anthony Thomas rushes past the Arkansas State defense during the Ducks’ 57-34 win over the Red Wolves on Sept. 1, 2012. (Photo courtesy of Alex McDougall/Daily EmeraldNo. 12 Oregon vs. No. 18 UCLA
What's at stake: AP voters and Pac-12 media members continually insist that Oregon is the sexy pick to win a national title, and yet, they never cease to disappoint.
But fans of every Pac-12 South team not wearing powder blue and yellow (including Sun Devil supporters) will be happy to board the Oregon bandwagon this week, as a UCLA loss would practically eliminate them from the race altogether.
Perhaps the fact that Cal, which lost to UA on a Hail Mary from freshman quarterback Anu Solomon to senior running back Austin Hill, is 2-1 and atop the North division standings (Oregon, Stanford, and Oregon State are deadlocked at 1-1) is a sign that the conference really is much deeper than most writers originally imagined.
Regardless, with plenty of time to make up ground, both teams are coming off of being upset by Pac-12 South foes (UA and No. 24 Utah) that weren't expected to advance out of the basement in the standings.
Prediction: Oregon 52, UCLA 45
As spotty as Oregon has played in big games, it's had UCLA's number in the last five meetings between the two preseason divisional front-runners, and it doesn't seem to make a difference whether they play in Pasadena or in Eugene. Marcus Mariota and the Ducks will bounce back to out-duel Brett Hundley (in a psuedo-Heisman trophy battle that could have been a lot more fun) and edge the Bruins in a shootout.
Reach the assistant sports editor at smodrich@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @StefanJModrich
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