2011 Pac-12 Football Predictions: Which Teams Win in Week 4?
This slideshow predicts the new Pac-12 conference's Week 4 games for every team. This slideshow is a continuation of:
Stanford, Utah and Washington State all have byes in Week 4. USC travels to Arizona State for the Pac-12's "Showdown in the South." Colorado plays in the Horseshoe.
USC at Arizona State
1 of 7USC at Arizona State
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011
7:15 p.m. (PST) on ESPN
Game Prediction:
USC 28 - Arizona State 17
This game determines the best team in the Pac-12 South. Arizona State will eventually play at Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game even though USC wins this "Showdown in the South," and proves to be the best team.
The Trojans are bowl-sanctioned by the NCAA, so the Sun Devils will get lucky with a freebie this year. That will take Dennis Erickson off the hot seat.
Matt Barkley is a better quarterback than Brock Osweiler. The Sun Devils can't touch USC's running backs, tight ends, or wide receivers. USC has superior offensive and defensive lines. Arizona has one linebacker who is equal to three of USC's, but the Trojans have a much better secondary.
Arizona State has home field advantage, but USC wins on ESPN and can anyone tell me when the last time was that the Sun Devils beat the Trojans?
Oregon at Arizona
2 of 7Oregon at Arizona
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011
7:15 p.m. (PST) on ESPN2
Game Prediction:
Oregon 45 - Arizona 31
The last time the Ducks flew south to Arizona in 2009, the ZonaZoo fans were ready to rush the field to celebrate the win. Not so fast.
The Ducks tied the game with seconds to play in the fourth quarter and won the game in double overtime. There won't be any overtime in 2011 and Oregon will hand Nick Foles and Arizona their third straight loss, even though the Wildcats will give the Ducks a good fight.
Oregon wins on ESPN2 (this is the first of nine Pac-12 games the Ducks will win this year).
California at Washington
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California at Washington
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011
TBA
Game Prediction:
California 17 - Washington 10
Washington will be coming off a tough loss in Lincoln, Nebraska. California will be coming off an easy win at home against the Presbyterian Blue Hoses.
The Huskies will not be a bowl contender this year, but the Bears will be. A win at Washington means the difference between the Holiday bowl and the Kraft Fight Hunger bowl for California.
Washington has the home field advantage and perhaps better coaching, but California has a better team. Cal wins.
UCLA at Oregon State
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UCLA at Oregon State
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011
TBA
Game Prediction:
Oregon State 21 - UCLA 17
Even though Reser stadium will give the Beavers an advantage, this game will come down to who plays a better game at quarterback. Oregon State's quarterback, Ryan Katz, is developing into being a top quarterback in the Pac-12.
UCLA's quarterbacks, Kevin Prince and/or Richard Brehaut, are not considered to be at the same level with Luck, Barkley, Foles, Thomas, and Katz.
UCLA might have slightly better talent than Oregon State at quite a few other positions, but again the Beavers have an edge in coaching. This game will be very close. Beavers win it at the wire.
Colorado at Ohio State
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Colorado at Ohio State
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011
TBA
Game Prediction:
Ohio State 28 - Colorado 17
This game might have been a blowout for the Buckeyes, but this Ohio State team isn't quite the same team it was last year. The NCAA lack of foresight to compensate college football players who create this multi-billion-dollar business contributed to OSU's drop-off.
For as much money as the NCAA is paid, they could have averted this problem several years ago through such foresight. This challenge will continue to hurt many major programs in the next few years. The SEC and Big 12 are next.
Colorado finished serving NCAA sanctions long ago for impermissible recruiting contacts, provision of clothing items to recruits during official visits and excessive reimbursement for travel expenses for recruits during previous coach Rick Neuheisel's tenure.
As for this matchup, Ohio State wins the game, however, Colorado's showing won't be as bad as one would have predicted a year ago.
Projected Pac-12 North Standings After the Fourth Week
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| Projected Pac-12 North Standings After Week Four | |||
| Team | P-12 North | P-12 Conference | Overall |
| California | 1-0 | 1-0 | 4-0 |
| Stanford | 0-0 | 1-0 | 3-0 |
| Oregon | 0-0 | 1-0 | 3-1 |
| Oregon State | 0-0 | 1-0 | 2-1 |
| Washington State | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2-1 |
| Washington | 0-1 | 0-1 | 2-2 |
Projected Pac-12 South Standings After the Fourth Week
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| Projected Pac-12 South Standings After Week Four | |||
| Team | P-12 South | P-12 Conference | Overall |
| USC | 2-0 | 2-0 | 4-0 |
| Colorado | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1-3 |
| UCLA | 0-0 | 0-1 | 1-3 |
| Arizona | 0-0 | 0-2 | 1-3 |
| Arizona State | 0-1 | 0-1 | 2-2 |
| Utah | 0-1 | 0-1 | 1-2 |
