Shake-Up Weekend in the PAC12 South : Week 7 Game Predictions
This is the biggest weekend so far of the PAC12 Schedule and more particularly in the South division where you have three teams: Colorado, Utah, Arizona State, sitting at 2-1. Of those three teams Colorado sits in the best spot as they avoid Washington while Utah and Arizona State do not. Sitting at two losses are USC and UCLA, but both have a brutal schedule coming up as both face each other and Washington. Arizona is the only team in the division that is 0-3 and can do nothing but play spoiler at this point.
Here are this weeks South Division games and predictions:
Arizona State at Colorado 5:00pm PDT on the PAC12 Networks
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona State goes to the altitude of Boulder after finding their defensive legs in a 23-20 upset last week at home versus UCLA. While they might be making strides on defense, suddenly they have questions on offense as Quarterback Manny Wilkins went down with an injury. Everything is pointing to Arizona State having to start a 4th string QB against an opportunistic defense in Colorado that, while giving up 500+ yards in a 21-17 loss at USC last week, generated four turnovers. Colorado comes in with an opportunity lost. Down 21-17 and needing to get the ball back, they were unable to get the ball back from USC last week and lost 21-17. The offense will look to get back on track against an Arizona State defense that was torched by USC, Cal, and Texas Tech. I see the more veteran team in Colorado winning this one and the defense will play a factor versus a 4th string QB. Colorado 41 Arizona State 20.
Utah at Oregon State 1:00pm PDT on the PAC12 Networks
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Utah goes to Corvallis to play Oregon State who shocked the conference last week with a 47-44 overtime win over Cal. Utah is coming in after dispatching of Arizona last week and is looking good on both sides of the ball. The one concern for Utah is that starting running back Armand Shyne might be lost for the year and the injury bug is hitting at a bad time. Oregon State is getting better and they will see better days, but in this game I will take the better athletes and the more physical team. Utah 28 Oregon State 17
USC at Arizona 12:30pm on FOX
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
What has gone wrong with Arizona? The injury bug for one, but lack of execution is not helping Rich Rodriguez in Tucson. If things do not improve, it is easy to say that next year is a must year for Rich Rod or there might be changes coming to UA. USC on the other hand seems to have solved their quarterback issue with Sam Darnold. USC still has a turnover bug, which could have cost them in a 21-17 win versus Colorado last week, but they are starting to play better defense and they are allowing the athletes to play on offense. This could get ugly in the desert. USC 38 Arizona 17
UCLA at Washington State 7:30pm PDT on ESPN
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
This is the game of the week for teams coming from the South. UCLA is as hot and cold as it gets. They have one of the best quarterbacks in the country who at times looks like a Top 5 draft pick and at times looks as if he is destined for NFL journeyman. Washington State is 6 points from being 5-0 coming into this game and have back to back wins versus Oregon and a crushing win at Stanford last week. The Mike Leech run and gun offense is finally taking shape in Pullman and this could be a case of who gets the ball last. UCLA has made too many big mistakes to afford one in a game like this. I like Washington State to in in the last minute and crush the dreams of UCLA winning the South. Washington State 48 UCLA 47
South Standings Next Sunday morning
Utah 6-1 Overall / 3-1 PAC12
Colorado 5-2 / 3-1
USC 4-3 / 3-2
Arizona State 6-2 / 3-2
UCLA 3-4 / 1-3 (eliminated and Jim Mora hot seat talk gets going)
Arizona 2-5 / 0-4
