Pac-12 Football Week 12 Breakdown
Game of the Week:
#21 Southern California @ #4 Oregon
In the middle of a string of tough games for the Ducks, they had a season-altering win against #4 Stanford last week, dropping the Cardinal to #8. Oregon put up 53 points against Stanford, and looks to have similar success against the Trojans this week.
Southern California is fresh off a beating of the once powerful Washington Huskies in L.A. USC crushed Washington from top to bottom and came away with a 40-17 victory. The Trojans scored on a passing play, running play, kickoff return, and a defensive safety.
Motivation will be the key to victory in this matchup, and USC will have that. Banned from postseason play, the Trojans aim to ruin the BCS hopes of a high-riding Oregon squad. They will do just that.
USC 31 Oregon 28
Honorable Mention:
California @ #8 Stanford
Rivalries change everything. California became bowl eligible with their win over Oregon State this past weekend. They are motivated to continue their two game winning streak, and will have a chance for a season-making upset over Stanford in Palo Alto.
Stanford was embarrassed by Oregon on Saturday and if they have any chance of a BCS bowl bid, they will need to win the remainder of their games this season. A win over Cal has never come easy in this rivalry, but this year will be different.
Stanford 42 Cal 17
Do Not Overlook:
Arizona @ Arizona State
I’ll say it again, rivalries change everything. Both of these teams are coming away from disappointing games last weekend. Arizona couldn’t muster a win against a one-win Colorado squad, and gave up an astonishing 48 points to a lackluster team. Arizona State was upset by the unpredictable Washington State Cougars. The Sun Devils normally tough defense gave up 223 yards and three touchdowns to WSU wide receiver Marquess Wilson.
An angry and downtrodden Arizona State team takes it out on a Wildcat team that has seen much, much better days.
ASU 35 Arizona 14
Upset Alert:
See Game of the Week
Players to Watch:
QB Sean Mannion, Oregon State: Even though the likelihood of a win against Washington is slim, quarterbacks have great success against their weak pass defense.
RB Chris Polk, Washington: Polk had 18 straight games with over 100 yards rushing, and now has two consecutive games under that. He will bounce back this week and have more than 150.
WR Juron Criner, Arizona: If Arizona State is capable of giving up 223 yards and three touchdowns to a wide receiver, imagine what they’ll give up to an athlete like Criner.
DL Nick Perry, USC: He will be the key to putting pressure on Oregon’s stud backfield. The opportunities will be endless.
Week 12 Football Breakdown Page
