Pac-12 Football: Week 13's Previews and Predictions

This is it. Except for two teams, this is the final week of regular season Pac-12 football.

Don't complain about the games—instead, enjoy every one of them. This season went way too fast.  

Some notes: Cal's football season has come to a mercilessness 3-9 end. After Oregon, the Oregon State Beavers will play the rescheduled Nicholls State game on December 1. 

Enjoy the carnage.

Notre Dame at USC

This is one of the best rivalry games of the year and ESPN's College Gameday will be here in Los Angeles. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are No. 1 and USC quarterback Matt Barkley has a sprained shoulder—redshirt freshman Max Wittek will be the starter.

This game has "rout" written all over it except that USC is still playing for a bowl and USC would love to crush Notre Dame's National Championship hopes.

I still don't see USC's defense stopping the Irish but I do think the offense will throw some points on the board.

Prediction: Notre Dame 27 USC 23

Stanford at UCLA

Stanford is a lot better than fans think. So is UCLA.

This is actually one of the best matchups of the year.

I like Kevin Hogan's play as the Cardinal quarterback but UCLA's Brett Hundley is also a terrific dual threat.

Both teams will be hungover from huge victories last week (UCLA over USC, Stanford over Oregon) and UCLA is already in the Pac-12 Championship representing the South. Stanford and Oregon are still fighting over who will represent the North.

Slight edge to Stanford in a close game.

Prediction: Stanford 28 UCLA 27

Utah at Colorado

After two losses to Washington and Arizona, a game with Colorado is just what the doctor ordered. 

The Utes will finish with a disappointing 5-7 record and have to stay home during bowl season—we may see some pent up frustrations in this Friday game and that doesn't bode well for the hapless Buffaloes. 

Prediction: Utah 49 Colorado 6

Arizona State at Arizona

Both Arizona and Arizona State have prolific offenses but the team with the better defense is going to win this game. 

Arizona State has the No. 2 defense in the Pac-12 while Arizona's is ranked No. 11.

Prediction: Arizona State 51 Arizona 36

Oregon at Oregon State

The Civil War rivalry game finally has some serious consequences for these two teams. The Oregon Ducks have been the dominant team but Oregon State looks sneaky good. 

Stanford laid out the blueprint for how to beat Oregon—the Cardinal won 17-14 last Saturday playing brilliant defense.

Moreover, the Ducks now know they are no longer invincible.

Defense is the key in this game and the Beavers have the much better defense. 

Prediction: Oregon State 26 Oregon 21

Washington at Washington State

Washington should have no problem beating Washington State in the Apple Cup, right? 

Wrong. 

These are the scores of the Washington vs Washington State games since 2007: 42-35, 16-13 (2OT), 30-0, 35-28, 38-21. 

It doesn't matter who won—Washington won three of those games for those who care—the point is that these games have been nail biters. 

Prediction: Washington 35 Washington State 24