Pac-12 Football: Best Conference and Non-Conference Games of 2015

The Pac-12 possesses top-end talent, which means their games are among some of the most entertaining and thrilling to watch every year (#Pac12AfterDark). Let's take a look at what games you'll want to make sure you catch this season.

Week 1

Thursday, September 3

Michigan @ Utah

This isn't a "cupcake game." Jim Harbaugh's first game leading his alma mater should be a competitive matchup featuring one of the most underrated schools in the Pac-12.

Saturday, September 5

Arizona State vs Texas A&M

While there's been some chirping before the game and noted competition between the programs for top recruits, it will be what each school brings to the table on the field that will produce the most fireworks. A test against an SEC opponent will be a great way to gauge where the Sun Devils are, in particular.

Washington @ Boise State

Chris Petersen will make his return to the school he left for his current gig. Following a win over Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl last season, will Boise State earn its second straight win over a Pac-12 foe after dropping its previous two?

Week 2

Saturday, September 12

Oregon @ Michigan State

Last year's result went Oregon's way. However, this time it will be the Spartans who will have (arguably) the best quarterback in the nation, if not school history. It will be the Ducks' first big test without their Hesiman-trophy winning quarterback during the Mark Helfrich era.

Oregon State @ Michigan

Gary Andersen will have the chance to earn his first win over a historically recognized program while at Oregon State. It will be Harbaugh's first game leading the Maize & Blue at home in Ann Arbor.

Week 3

Saturday, September 19

Stanford @ USC

In a classic Pac-12 matchup, Stanford will hope to come out victorious against a USC squad it lost to by a score of 13-10 last season after fumbling the game away with 19 seconds left to go.

Cal @ Texas

The Golden Bears and Longhorns are two schools looking to find the balance for two different reasons. In the second year of the Charlie Strong era, Texas is looking to regain its status among the elite football programs in the country, while Cal is trying to find its footing in its third year under Sonny Dykes.

Week 4

Saturday, September 26

USC @ Arizona State

Last year's game went down as one of the greatest wins in Sun Devil football history, and one of the most humiliating in Trojan football history. Will Steve Sarkisian back up his offseason claim?

Week 5

Saturday, October 3

Washington State @ Cal

Offense. It was almost mythical to see Washington State run the ball last season, and Cal has weapons all over the field with the most dynamic arm in the country. If you like high-scoring aerial assaults, this ones for you.

Week 6

None...sorry.

Week 7

Thursday, October 15

UCLA @ Stanford

David Shaw has had UCLA's number every year, including a 31-10 drubbing of the Bruins last season. Can Jim Mora's squad finally overcome the Cardinal?

Saturday, October 17

USC @ Notre Dame

Plenty of NFL talent will take the field in this one as the two historic programs will battle in what should be an exciting mid-season matchup featuring two long-time rivals.

Week 8

Thursday, October 22

Cal @ UCLA

The conference's top secondary faces off against the conference's top passing game. This should be much more entertaining than it appears on paper.

Week 9

None...again. Sorry.

Week 10

Saturday, November 7

Arizona @ USC

The Trojans were able to squeak it out over the Wildcats in dramatic fashion last season. Will Rich Rodriguez have his unit prepared to upset the division favorite this year?

Week 11

Saturday, November 14

Oregon @ Stanford

The winner of this one could very well end up being the North division representative in the Pac-12 title game. This should be an exciting matchup—as it is just about every season.

Week 12

Saturday, November 21

Arizona @ Arizona State

Last season, the Pac-12 South champion emerged from this game. Will that be the case again? Both Arizona and Arizona State will look to prove they belong in the same breath as their elite conference counterparts.

USC @ Oregon

Sanctions took a heavy toll on the USC program, allowing Oregon to emerge, for the most part, as the uncontested leader of the Pac-12. In a potential conference title preview, will the Trojans reclaim their spot at the top?

UCLA @ Utah

The Utes pulled out a closely-contested win over the Bruins last season. Kyle Whittingham and Co. will hope they can capture another signature win again in 2015.

Week 13

Saturday, November 28

UCLA @ USC

The Trojans will look to retake the title of best team in Southern California. Meanwhile, the Bruins will look to stave their rivals off for a fourth-consecutive season.

Notre Dame @ Stanford

The Cardinal finished last year on a strong note, and will attempt to do the same in one of the oldest rivalry games the conference has to offer.