Things to watch this week in Pac-12 football:
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 8 Oregon at No. 7 Washington, Saturday. The Ducks and Huskies will meet for the first time with both teams ranked in the top 10 in one of the most anticipated Pac-12 games in years. It also will be their final Pac-12 meeting, with both programs heading to the Big Ten next season. The Huskies, behind quarterback Michael Penix Jr., are the only FBS team averaging over 400 passing yards per game at 446.4 per game, on pace for the most since Texas Tech averaged 463 per game in 2016 behind Patrick Mahomes. The Ducks have been a bit more balanced offensively, entering the game ninth in rushing yards per game, 10th in passing and second in scoring.
BEST MATCHUP
No. 18 UCLA at No. 15 Oregon State. The Bruins and Beavers will meet as ranked teams for the first time since 2001 in a battle of strengths. Oregon State’s Damien Martinez is the Pac-12’s leading rusher with 586 yards and he will be facing the conference’s best rushing defense. UCLA is third nationally in rushing defense, allowing 65.6 yards per game, and is one of two teams — with Washington — that has yet to allow a run of 20 yards or more. UCLA is fifth in the FBS in total defense, giving up 254.2 yards per game. Oregon State is 14th nationally in scoring at 38.5 points per game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Pac-12 has seven teams ranked in the AP Top 25 for the third time this season. The conference had never had more than six prior to this season. … Cal, which plays No. 16 Utah this week, is in line to play five straight ranked opponents, which would be a first in the Pac-12 since 1980. … Oregon QB Bo Nix is the first player to account for at least 55 TDs at two FBS schools (Auburn and Oregon). … Utah has won 17 straight home games, the third-longest active streak in the FBS, and 26 straight home games against unranked opponents.
UPSET WATCH?
No. 10 Southern California at No. 21 Notre Dame, Saturday. The Trojans are 2 1/2-point road favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, and will be undefeated heading to South Bend for the first time since 2005. USC has been an offensive powerhouse as Caleb Williams has backed up his Heisman Trophy win with another stellar season. The problems for the Trojans has been on defense. USC is 112th nationally in yards allowed per game (421.3), tied for 79th in scoring defense (27) and had to outlast unranked Arizona 43-41 in triple overtime last week. Notre Dame is third nationally against the pass, so Williams and the Trojans will have their work cut out for them.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei. The former Clemson quarterback has been a productive addition to a deep Pac-12 quarterback class. Uiagalelei has thrown for 1,307 yards and 13 touchdowns with four interceptions this season. He was named the Pac-12 offensive player of the week after throwing for 275 yards and five TDs in a win over California last week.
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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll