Utah (6-1, 3-1) bowed to USC (4-3, 2-2) at the Coliseum, but the Utes still control the South. Meanwhile, will the Trojans’ fuel from that impressive 42-24 conquest last week down the home stretch? Will Stanford’s roll end in a once unlikely pit called Pullman? The Cardinal (6-1, 5-0) look like the clear favorite in the Pac 12 entering Week 9. Based on experience, that statement alone should tell us to expect the unexpected from the nation’s most balanced conference.
Jack Follman of Pacifictakes.com and Matt Lozano from RebelMedia.com joins MarkRogersTV to break down the matchups and storylines.
Will the USC that showed up against Utah, make the trip to Cal-Berkeley, complete the season and put pressure on the Utes to finish perfect or lose the South. UCLA (5-2, 2-2) runs hot and cold with freshman quarterback Josh Rosen and a banged up defense. Does the Bruins’ most complete performance in a 40-24 rout of Cal, spring it back into contention. In the North while Stanford maintains a firm grip, Washington State could claim a high point Saturday in Pullman in a season of plenty of highlights for the 5-2 Cougars. Does Oregon (4-3, 2-2) get back some swagger in an unexpected under the radar matchup at Arizona State (4-3, 2-2).
Jack, Matt and Mark also take the discussion outside the conference. Utah’s fall at USC has handed the conference banner to Stanford. How do the Cardinal stack up against the nation’s elite. Has this David Shaw edition added the speed and playmaking to complement the usual staples at offensive line and defensive front seven to give Stanford a limited shot at Ohio State, Alabama and the best of the Power 5.
