With ASU football on a bye this week, it opens up about a three- or four-hour time commitment in many Sun Devil fans' schedules on Saturday. The State Press recommends you take that opportunity to watch an extra Pac-12 game or two. The conference has turned into the most entertaining battle for first in the country, and the games aren't half bad themselves.
Better yet, the games are slotted perfectly for you to sit down on your couch and have a continuous stream of Pac-12 football from 12:30 to around 11 p.m. Here's a quick primer on the Pac-12 games Saturday, with kickoff times, viewing options and a quick preview of the matchup.
12:30 p.m.
No. 12 Oregon Ducks (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) at No. 18 UCLA (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12)
TV: FOX
Line: Oregon by 2.5 (Over/under: 71)
UCLA has been one of the most underwhelming, inconsistent teams in the country this season. Unfortunately for ASU, the one game the Bruins really turned it on happened to come against the Sun Devils in a 62-27 win. That's the only impressive win UCLA has this season, but it looks to pick up a second one Saturday when it hosts No. 12 Oregon.
This could be the worst matchup of offensive lines between two top 25 teams in recent history. It's the biggest weakness for each team, and they've both been hurt because of it. Last week, the Ducks were knocked off at home by then-unranked UA. The Wildcats, after the win, jumped ahead of Oregon in the rankings and Pac-12 standings (though they are in separate divisions).
3 p.m.
Washington Huskies (4-1, 0-1 Pac-12) at California Golden Bears (4-1, 2-1 Pac-12)
TV: Pac-12 Networks
Line: California by four (Over/under: 69.5)
No matter what happens during the games, possibly the biggest upset Saturday is that Cal is actually favored in a Pac-12 game that's no against Colorado. Nobody could have envisioned that -- or the Bears' 4-1 start -- after winning only one game last season, and that came against Portland State.
Washington, along with UCLA, has been underwhelming to start the season. At times, the offense has been stagnant. At others, the defense has been the issue. Both sides of the ball have had their bright spots, too, but the Huskies have yet to have a game where everything has come together. After giving Stanford a fight two weeks ago and having a bye to prepare, this could be the week the Huskies come out in full force.
7:30 p.m.
USC Trojans (3-2, 2-1 Pac-12) at No. 10 UA Wildcats (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12)
TV: ESPN 2
Line: USC by three (Over/under: 66)
This game brings with it both perspectives of Hail Marys. ASU upset the Trojans in Los Angeles last weekend on a last-second "Jael Mary" and the Wildcats won a thriller over Cal in Tucson because of a "Hill Mary" (in reference to UA receiver Austin Hill). Oddly, the top-10 team here isn't favored, even playing at home, where there will be a sellout for the first time since renovations were finished.
That doesn't create an easy environment to recover from a heartbreaking loss, but that's the task USC is saddled with on Saturday. It will be interesting to see whether USC coach Steve Sarkisian continues to try his "up-tempo" offense against a truly up-tempo offense of UA, or if he will try to control the pace of the game with the Trojans potent running game. The winner of this game will be in the driver's seat of the Pac-12 South race, sitting either at 3-1 or 3-0 in conference play.
Reach the reporter at ewebeck@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @EvanWebeck
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