Pac-12 Football Week 13 Breakdown

Pac-12 Football Week 13 Breakdown

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Game of the Week:

#22 Notre Dame @ #4 Stanford

With #8 Oregon hosting an overpowered Oregon State team, and Washington/Washington State offering little significance, this rare, late-season, non-conference game undoubtedly is the best matchup of the week.

Notre Dame has tallied four wins in a row and will be looking to continue that streak. They struggled last week against a weak Boston College team, but the potential to put up points is certainly there. Stanford has been struggling since their embarrassing loss to Oregon two weeks ago. However, if all the cards fall into place, there is still a possibility the Cardinal plays for the National Championship. But first, they must defend their home turf against the streaking Fighting Irish. This is quarterback Andrew Luck’s time to shine if he hoped to maintain his number one projected selection in the NFL draft next April. Do not expect big numbers from Luck, but he will perform when it counts.

Stanford 28 Notre Dame 21

 

Honorable Mention:

Washington State @ Washington

Washington, with an injured Keith Price, started Nick Montana last week against Oregon State. Although Price would relieve Montana in the fourth quarter, it was not enough to overcome the large deficit. Washington should have Price back this week against hated rival Washington State in the annual Apple Cup.

Washington State, with an overtime loss to Utah last weekend, will not be bowl-eligible this season and will only be fighting for bragging rights. The matchup seems to favor the Huskies, but don’t count out any team in a rivalry game.

Washington 31 Washington State 28

 

Do Not Overlook:

California @ Arizona State

California put up a strong showing last week against Stanford with a fourth quarter rally ending in a 3-point loss for the Golden Bears. Meanwhile Arizona State, who entered the season as a potential winner of the Pac-12 South, has taken some lumps against seemingly inferior teams such as UCLA, Washington State, and Arizona. Both teams have reached the six-win bowl-eligibility threshold but a win could move them into a more prestigious bowl game. Arizona State will be looking to stave off the embarrassment of losing four out of the last five games. California is on the rise after the battle with Stanford, and two wins prior to that. The Sun Devils have too much defensive prowess to lose this one.

Arizona State 24 California 20

 

Upset Alert:

UCLA over Southern California

The Bruins have found some mojo recently and currently, due to USC’s NCAA sanctions, sit in position to win the Pac-12 South. UCLA will be bursting with motivation to prove that they belong in the Pac-12 Championship, and the only way to do that is to beat the powerful Trojans. Southern Cal quarterback Matt Barkley has been playing at a very high level and will have plenty of opportunities to make plays against an inferior defensive squad. However, when the final whistle blows, it will be the ferocity of the UCLA running game that controls the ball and keeps Barkley and the Trojans off the field. USC’s high from beating Oregon a week ago comes to an end in Los Angeles.

UCLA 31 USC 30

 

Players to Watch:

LaMichael James RB, Oregon: There is almost never a week that James wouldn’t be mentioned on this list, but against Oregon State it’s a can’t miss.

Nick Foles, QB, Arizona: Foles has been magic all season, regardless of outcome, and will have a field day with Louisiana-Lafayette.

Nick Perry, DL, USC: A Pac-12 leading 8.5 sacks, Perry will be the lone force up front that puts pressure on the UCLA passing game.

Johnathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman, RB, UCLA: The Bruins will feed these two carries until they’re blue in the face in an attempt to keep USC off the field. Expect no less than 20 carries each.

 

Week 13 Football Breakdown Page