Here are some things to watch this week in the Pac-12 Conference:
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 24 Washington (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12, No. 25 CFP) at No. 6 Oregon (8-1, 6-0, No. 6 CFP), Saturday. Behind transfer quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the Huskies have the most proficient air game in the nation at 370.2 yards passing. Behind transfer quarterback Bo Nix, the Ducks are averaging 520.6 total yards and riding an eight-game win streak. The Huskies are venturing into a tough place to play — the Ducks have tied a school record with 23 straight home wins. Oregon has won 15 of the last 17 games over Washington, but the Huskies still lead the overall series by a 60-48-5 margin. Oregon is a 13½-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
MATCHUP OF THE WEEK
Arizona State (3-6, 2-4) at Washington State (5-4, 2-4), Saturday. The closest game on the conference schedule, with the Cougars a 7 1/2-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. With a win, Washington State becomes bowl eligible for a seventh time in eight seasons. The Cougars have won three of the last four games over the Sun Devils.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Lincoln Riley is the first Trojans head coach to begin his career 8-1 since John Robinson (8-1) in 1976. ... Over his last three games, Trojans QB Caleb Williams has thrown for 1,152 yards with 14 TDs and zero interceptions. ... Colorado will be without freshman playmaker Jordyn Tyson for the rest of the season. He suffered a lower leg injury in a 49-10 loss to Oregon last weekend. Tyson had 22 catches for 470 yards and four touchdowns. ... USC WR Brenden Rice and DB Mekhi Blackmon played for Colorado. ... Washington kicker Peyton Henry connected on a game-winning 22-yard field goal last week against Oregon State. Henry is 12 of 14 on field goals this season. ... No. 13 Utah (7-2, 5-1, No. 13 CFP) gives up only 16.6 first downs per game while gaining 25.7. The Utes are a 24 1/2-point favorite over Stanford (3-6, 1-6) at home Saturday night. ... Oregon has allowed just one sack this season. ... No. 9 UCLA (8-1, 5-1, No. 12 CFP) has won eight straight home games, the longest streak by the Bruins since 10 straight over the 2005 and ’06 seasons. They host Arizona (3-6, 1-5). ... UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson ranks third in Bruins history in career passing with 9,681 yards. He’s closing in on Brett Hundley (9,966). Cade McNown tops the list with 10,708 yards. ... The Wildcats are 4-16-2 all-time versus the Bruins in the Pasadena/LA area. Their last road win at the Rose Bowl was 2010. ... Cal (3-6, 1-5) has won three of the last five over Oregon State (6-3, 3-3).
PLAYER TO WATCH
Safety Jaden Hicks, Washington State. Finished with six tackles, quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery in a 52-14 win at Stanford. Hicks returned a fumble for a 17-yard score in the second quarter to give the Cougars a 28-7 lead.
UPSET WATCH
Colorado (1-8, 1-5) at No. 8 USC (8-1, 6-1, No. 8 CFP), Friday. Probably not. After all, the Trojans are a 34½-point favorite over Colorado and boast a 15-0 all-time mark against the Buffaloes. They’ve outscored Colorado by a 522-234 margin in the series. The best hope for the Buffaloes is perhaps the Trojans get caught looking ahead. USC plays at UCLA the following week and closes the regular season by hosting Notre Dame.
