College Football 2011: The 10 Games That Will Decide the Pac-12 Championship
On December 3rd, 2011, the inaugural Pacific-12 Championship Game will kick off.
With the additions of Utah and Colorado effective in July of 2011, the Pac-10 becomes the Pac-12.
As for the season, fans on the West Coast have even more to cheer about this upcoming season.
The North Division groups Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, California and Stanford together.
Meanwhile, the South Division is made up of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Utah, UCLA and USC.
So gear up, Pac-12 fans—a fresh-looking conference is looking to regain college football dominance!
Side note: Games are listed in chronological order.
September 10th, 2011: Utah Utes at USC Trojans
1 of 10
SERIES RECORD: USC leads 6-3
LAST MEETING: Utah won 10-6 in 2001
PREVIEW: Utah comes off a 10-3 season where they finished ranked 23rd in points per game (33.1) and 24th in points allowed per game (20.3).
However, they only finished 1-2 versus the Top 25, and despite the 10-win season, they've only managed 19 recruiting commits thus far.
USC finished 8-5 in Lane Kiffin's first season, and although they were ineligible for bowl season, the Trojans bring in a top 10 recruiting class.
This is the first in-conference game for either school in 2011, as well as the inaugural game for the Pac-12 conference.
It should be a great game, and what a way for the Utes to open up play in the Los Angeles Coliseum as they enter their first season as part of the BCS.
October 6th, 2011: California Golden Bears at Oregon Ducks
2 of 10
SERIES RECORD: California leads 39-32-2
LAST MEETING: Oregon won 15-13 in 2010
PREVIEW: The Ducks had their best season in school history by posting a 12-1 record and an appearance in their first BCS National Championship Game.
Not only did they finish first in points (47) and fourth in rush yards (286.2) per game nationally, but they bring in a top 10 recruiting class as well.
As for the Golden Bears, they finished a disappointing 5-7 but still managed to reel in a top 20 recruiting class.
Also, even with Oregon's explosiveness, don't count out the Bears because the past eight games of this rivalry have been split 4-4.
Come early October, be sure to tune in to Cal versus Oregon.
October 8th, 2011: Arizona State Sun Devils at Utah Utes
3 of 10
SERIES RECORD: Arizona State leads 16-6
LAST MEETING: Arizona State won 38-0 in 1993
PREVIEW: The key focus for Arizona State in 2011? Win the close games.
In 2010 they were 1-4 in games decided by a TD with the only W coming against in-state rival Arizona.
They lost 20-19 to then-ranked No. 11 Wisconsin and 17-13 to then-ranked No. 6 Stanford.
They've proven that they can play with the best competition. Now they need to show they can overcome the best competition.
As for Utah, 3-0 in the close games, but not nearly the same level of competition. Nonetheless, watching two teams in the same division of the Pac-12 early in the season should be interesting.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
October 22nd, 2011: Washington Huskies at Stanford Cardinal
4 of 10
SERIES RECORD: Stanford leads 42-35-4
LAST MEETING: Stanford won 41-0 in 2010
PREVIEW: Both schools bring in a top 25 recruiting class and have the potential to improve on last season.
A big difference here is that Stanford has retained QB Andrew Luck, while Washington loses Jake Locker to the NFL draft.
However, don't think the Huskies are going to just lie low, especially since Stanford has won the previous three meetings.
Not to mention the Cardinal has a new head coach in former offensive coordinator David Shaw. Both schools have new people in critical areas.
Is it late October yet?
October 29th, 2011: Stanford Cardinal at USC Trojans
5 of 10
SERIES RECORD: USC leads 59-27-3
LAST MEETING: Stanford won 37-35 in 2010
PREVIEW: Arguably the most hyped game of the 2011 Pac-12 season. USC is back on the rise, while Stanford is enjoying its first BCS bowl win.
Pit QBs Andrew Luck and Matt Barkley against each other one more time in the Coliseum, and this should be one epic battle.
Last season USC had averaged 242 passing yards per game, while Stanford was at 258.
However, USC has improved in the ground attack by averaging 189 yards per game, while Stanford one-upped the Trojans by getting 213 a game.
The odds are in favor of the Cardinal, but come game time, you know the Trojans won't back down.
November 5th, 2011: Utah Utes at Arizona Wildcats
6 of 10
SERIES RECORD: Arizona leads 19-15-2
LAST MEETING: Arizona won 27-24 in 2005
PREVIEW: After the 7-1 start, the Arizona Wildcats lost their final five games to finish 7-6, including a loss to Oklahoma State 36-10 in the Alamo Bowl.
Neither school did too well in recruiting, although Utah has the upper hand in this aspect.
Now despite the Wildcats' ugly finish, the Utes didn't end well either in losing to Boise State 26-3 in the Las Vegas Bowl.
However, with both schools being in the South Division of the newly aligned Pac-12, a rivalry could stir up rather quickly since they have met 36 previous times.
November 5th, 2011: Oregon Ducks at Washington Huskies
7 of 10
SERIES RECORD: Washington leads 58-40-5
LAST MEETING: Oregon won 53-16
PREVIEW: Based on last season and on paper, this looks to be another blowout.
However, don't discount the Huskies, as they finished their 2010 campaign on a four-game win streak, including a victory over Nebraska 19-7 in the Holiday Bowl.
Not to mention Nebraska thrashed Washington earlier in the season 56-21 in Seattle.
We all know how Oregon did in dominating the Pac-10 and coming up just short of a national championship.
The problem for Oregon? The following week they take on Stanford at Stanford.
Thus, the Huskies not only may get to play the spoiler role, but there's a good chance this could be a trap game for the Ducks.
Don't overlook Washington, especially since they will want to avenge the blowout loss from last season.
November 12th, 2011: Washington Huskies at USC Trojans
8 of 10
SERIES RECORD: USC leads 49-28-4
LAST MEETING: Washington won 32-31
PREVIEW: The past two seasons the Huskies have come out on top over the Trojans on last-second field goals.
This two-game win streak for Washington hadn't happened since the 1996-97 seasons, and if the Huskies can pull off the hat trick?
Well, that will only be their fourth win streak of three or more games against USC since these two first met back in 1923.
As for the Trojans, if they want to maintain their top 10 recruiting class to get back to their winning ways, beating the Huskies HAS to be on the list.
Otherwise, some of the recruits may split and head north of sunny SoCal to Seattle.
November 12th, 2011: Oregon Ducks at Stanford Cardinal
9 of 10
SERIES RECORD: Stanford leads 44-29-1
LAST MEETING: Oregon won 52-31 in 2010
PREVIEW: Currently the front runner for the Pac-12 game of the year.
Both teams finished 12-1 and ranked in the Top Five. Not to mention they both have excellent recruiting classes coming in.
The winner of this game will most likely be competing for a berth in the first ever Pac-12 Championship Game and potentially a national championship.
Stanford returns QB Andrew Luck, while Oregon returns QB Darron Thomas and RB LaMichael James.
All three have Heisman potential and will most likely be the head of the class come time for the 2012 NFL draft.
If you don't watch this game, then you're not a football fan.
November 19th, 2011: USC Trojans at Oregon Ducks
10 of 10
SERIES RECORD: USC leads 37-18-2
LAST MEETING: Oregon won 53-32 in 2010
PREVIEW: Despite having a top 10 recruiting class along with Oregon, the Trojans still remain a step or two behind the Ducks.
However, regardless of USC's record at this time next season, they could be playing spoiler when they face the Ducks in Eugene.
The question here is whether USC can control the tempo of the game by using the clock to their advantage.
Oregon can score very quickly by either the pass or the run, so the Trojans must utilize their time wisely.
If not, history will repeat itself in 2011.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
