Pac-12 Football Week 10 Preview and Predictions

UCLA (3-5, 1-4) vs. No. 15 Colorado (6-2, 4-1) 6:00 p.m. Nov. 3, FS1---ESPN Matchup Predictor: Colorado 71.9%

The Bruins have officially ruled sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen out for the season. On the other hand, the Buffaloes have a shot at winning the Pac-12 South. Winning out the remainder of the season would send Colorado on a trip to the Pac-12 Championship game.

The upset-minded Bruins stand in the way of Colorado with backup senior quarterback Mike Fafaul who put on a good showing against No. 16 Utah. He led the offense to 45 points on 454 passing yards and five touchdowns, but his four interceptions were the difference in UCLA’s loss. In Fafaul’s third start of the season, he will have to get by Colorado who hasn’t allowed over three touchdowns in a game since Week 4 against Oregon.

Led by their seniority and offensive explosiveness, the Buffaloes win this Thursday night matchup in style.

Final Prediction: Colorado 28, UCLA 17

No. 5 Washington (8-0, 5-0) vs. California (4-4, 2-3) 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3, ESPN---ESPN Matchup Predictor: Washington 82.2%

The California Golden Bears play as an undefeated at home host against the perfect Washington Huskies this Saturday night. The Golden Bears have already knocked off then-No. 11 Texas and then-No. 18 Utah at home. But the Longhorns are now 4-4 and Utah simply lacked offense at the time. Washington will bring its high-powered offense and vicious defense into Berkeley.

The two quarterbacks in this matchup are no doubt NFL talented, but one major stat differentiates the two of them. Senior Davis Webb of California is tied for fourth in the nation with 2,914 passing yards and has 29 touchdowns, while Washington’s sophomore quarterback Jake Browning doesn’t even rank in the top 40 in passing yards and still has managed 28 touchdowns this season. His secret is efficiency. While Webb has thrown eight interceptions this season, Browning has thrown just three.

This will be a fun, high-scoring ball game, but the Huskies will end up on top.

Final Prediction: Washington 44, California 35

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Oregon (3-5, 1-2) vs. USC (5-3, 4-2) 4:00 p.m. Nov. 5, ESPN---ESPN Matchup Predictor: USC 84%

Finally, the Oregon Ducks have won a Pac-12 contest. Freshman quarterback Justin Herbert is legit as he’s racked up 10 touchdowns and 747 yards in his last two games and will surely cause problems for the USC Trojans.

USC has a true freshman quarterback in its own who currently owns the second-best QBR (90.0) in the country. Sam Darnold completely whipped the Trojans’ season into shape as he’s led USC to four straight wins by an average of 20 points. USC’s defense held California’s quarterback Davis Webb to just two touchdowns and an interception. Oregon must be nearly perfect to overpower the Trojans at home.

The Ducks try to spoil USC’s Pac-12 South championship hopes, but the Trojans are just too hot to slow down this Saturday night.

Final Prediction: USC 37, Oregon 31

Arizona (2-6, 0-5) vs. Washington State (6-2, 5-0) 1:00 p.m. Nov. 5, PAC12---ESPN Matchup Predictor: Washington State 86.7%

These two teams have opposite records and it’s easy to see why. Washington State, who has won six games straight have junior quarterback Luke Falk. The Arizona Wildcats have lost five straight, have three QB’s and can’t figure out which one to use.

Falk has led the success for this Cougar team who can soar even deeper into the rankings with another Pac-12 home win. The Cougars own the best pass offense in the Pac-12 and have a defense that’s made some noise. Washington State struggled at Oregon State last week winning by four points after being down 21-0, but should be safe at home against a struggling Wildcats team.

Final Prediction: Washington State 38, Arizona 17

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Oregon State (2-6, 1-4) vs. Stanford (5-3, 3-3) 12:30 p.m. Nov. 5, FS1---ESPN Matchup Predictor: Stanford 90.4%

Has junior running back Christian McCaffrey fell off the face of the earth? Maybe. Actually, he is alive and well. Fresh off an 196 total yard three touchdown game against Arizona, McCaffrey is still ranked the third best running back in his class by nfldraftscout.com and has raw talent that led Stanford to a blowout 45-16 Rose Bowl win over then-No. 6 Iowa last season. The Cardinal still have fire-power in them, and with their star running back fully healthy, they can still make a late run at a decent bowl game.

The Beavers have given a scare to teams at home this season, but are winless on the road losing by an average of 24 points. Sophomore quarterback Marcus McMaryion is Oregon State’s best bet to shine on offense this week as last week he went off with 327 yards and two touchdowns.

The Cardinal should become bowl eligible with a comfortable home win.

Final Prediction: Stanford 36, Oregon State 21