Pac-12 Football Week 5 Breakdown
Game of the Week:
Washington @ Utah
Utah is hosting their first Pac-12 home game ever and will be looking to prove that they belong here. A factor that generally goes unmentioned is the altitude, which will be a dynamic worth crediting in all Colorado and Utah home games. The Washington Huskies will be feeling the 4,200ft of elevation change between Seattle and Salt Lake City, especially as the game progresses.
Husky quarterback Keith Price has been a pleasant surprise for Washington’s fans, players, and coaches. Price has thrown 14 touchdowns to seven different receivers and running backs. His primary touchdown target has been Jermaine Kearse, but the super freshman tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins has been the most efficient with three touchdowns on only nine catches.
Utah has a threat of their own in running back John White. He has rushed for 380 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. No other Utah back has more than 75 yards rushing or a touchdown, so the attack is solely dependent on White.
Utah’s offense is not the potent force we’ve seen in past years, and Washington’s is. Expect Utah’s welcome to the Pac-12 to be a painful one as they lose to the Huskies 28-24.
Honorable Mention:
Arizona @ Southern California
The Wildcats passing offense has astonished onlookers this season. Nick Foles has thrown for
1,447 yards coupled with ten touchdowns. Sounds like a good start, right? Well, let’s not fail to mention that he also has yet to throw an interception in 183 attempts. What’s even more amazing is that Foles’ numbers have still resulted in a 1-3 record for the ‘Cats.
The verdict on the USC rushing defense is out, and it looks good. The Trojans gave up 141 yards and three touchdowns to Arizona State last week, but 70 of those yards were on one play. The other two rushing touchdowns were on runs of three and four yards. The Trojans took a sound beating from the Sun Devils, but it does not seem to be indicative of their talent level. Expect Southern California to trust their run defense enough to put solid pressure on Foles and company. Foles will still have solid passing numbers, and no less than three touchdowns, but USC will win this shootout by 13.
Do Not Overlook:
Colorado @ Washington State
You may find it odd to mention a game between two schools that have seen better football in years past, but the Cougars offense has stunned many doubters, and the Colorado defense has been suspect at best. This could be more of a barn burner than fans might predict. WSU’s sixth ranked offensive unit facing the Buff’s 34th ranked defense may produce a 40-45 point day for the Cougs. On the other side, Colorado’s offense only ranks 77th in the FBS, but they have the pleasure of facing Washington State’s 68th-ranked defense. All signs point toward an ‘ol fashioned shootout in Boulder. Washington State 41, Colorado 35.
Players to Watch:
QB Andrew Luck, Stanford: He could be mentioned every week as a “player to watch”, but this week bodes well for him against a UCLA defense that ranks 72nd against the pass.
QB Marshall Lobbestael, WSU: With a predicted shootout against Colorado, expect Lobbestael to put up big numbers in both yardage and touchdowns.
WR James Johnson, UW: Making catches in the most opportune moments is the key to Johnson’s success for the Huskies. Against the Ute’s 100th ranked pass defense, he will be presented with more said moments.
LB Vontaze Burfict, ASU: Making this list for the second time this season. Berfict is the key to the Sun Devil’s defensive unit and it would not be successful without him. He is a presence in stopping the run and the pass and Oregon will struggle to find a way around him.
