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UCLA played last week, but all 12 Pac-12 Conference schools are in action this Thursday through Saturday.
The Arizona Republic previews the week in the conference:
Week 1 Power Rankings
In relation to some of the other Power 5 conferences, the Pac-12 has some ground to make up. Some have sited parity as the reason that no team has been able to set itself apart — like Clemson has in the ACC. However, the SEC and Big Ten provide proof that more than one team can soar up the Top 25 to find itself in the College Football Playoff. Here’s where each team in the Pac-12 starts its 2021 campaign.
1. Oregon (0-0)
This week: vs. Fresno State
What to know: Not for the first time, the Ducks are the favorite in the conference, which hopes to put a team in the College Football Playoff for the first time since the 2016-17 season when Washington made the cut.
2. Washington (0-0)
This week: vs. Montana
What to know: Huskies bring back nine starters on offense, including the entire line. That gives young quarterback Dylan Morris a big shield to work behind.
3. Arizona State (0-0)
This week: vs. Southern Utah
What to know: This will be the year for the Sun Devils (have you heard that before?) In his fourth season as head coach, Herm Edwards has a lot to prove and so does quarterback Jayden Daniels, who hopes to launch a Heisman campaign and become a first-round NFL draft pick.
4. USC (0-0)
This week: vs. San Jose State
What to know: Quarterback Kedon Slovis, who not that long ago found himself in the surprise role as the starter, was named to the Preseason All-Pac-12 team. His success will go a long way in moving the Trojans up in the rankings.
5. UCLA (1-0)
This week: vs. LSU
What to know: The Bruins are the only team in the conference with a win after trouncing Hawaii 44-10. However, it will be Saturday’s game against LSU that will determine which direction UCLA will trend from here.
6. Utah (0-0)
This week: vs. Weber State
What to know: The Utes have a tough road ahead, particularly in the Pac-12 South. This is a .500 team, which has them sitting in the middle of the conference power rankings.
7. California (0-0)
This week: vs. Nevada
What to know: The Golden Bears need to find their offense. Scoring 30 or more points in a game just five times over the last three seasons isn’t a recipe for success, particularly in the Pac-12.
8. Stanford (0-0)
This week: vs. Kansas State
What to know: The Cardinal trended upward in 2020, but will be filling a hole at quarterback with the departure of Davis Mills. A team that hasn’t finished a season ranked in the Top 25 since 2017, Stanford has a lot of room to develop.
9. Colorado (0-0)
This week: vs. Northern Colorado
What to know: Many would say that the Buffaloes overachieved in 2020, when they were in contention for the Pac-12 South title late in the season. Expectations are a bit higher now, but don’t expect them to make waves again this season.
10. Oregon State (0-0)
This week: at Purdue
What to know: The 2020 season was highlighted by a win over rival Oregon. The 2021 schedule doesn’t do the Beavers any favors and they might have to settle for the same number of wins (2) as they did in last year’s five-game campaign.
11. Washington State (0-0)
This week: vs. Utah State
What to know: Like some other teams on this list, the Cougars didn’t spend enough time on the field in 2020 to start clicking. Many of those pieces remain in place, but they will have a tough fight up from the bottom.
12. Arizona (0-0)
This week: vs. BYU
What to know: Losing 12 consecutive games will put you at the bottom of the Pac-12 for sure. Opting for a two-quarterback system doesn’t help the case for the Wildcats any.
More: Scouting the Pac-12: Team-by-team overview heading into 2021 football season
Player to Watch
Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
It was quite the homecoming for the 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior who spent two years at the University of Michigan before transferring back close to home at UCLA. Charbonnet, who hails from Camarillo, California and attended Oaks Christian, rushed for 106 yards on only six carries with three touchdowns to lead the Bruins to a 44-10 victory over visiting Hawaii in Saturday’s season opener at the Rose Bowl. UCLA scored on its first five possessions and led 31-3 at the half so he had limited carries. Charbonnet played in 18 games at Michigan, starting nine of those. He totaled 850 yards in his tenure there with 726 yards on 149 carries over 13 games as a freshman in 2019. His best game as a Wolverine came in 2019 when he managed 116 yards on 18 tries against Illinois.
This week’s games
Weber State at No. 24 Utah
(Thursday, 4:30 p.m. PT; Pac-12)
Line: Utes by 35.5
Southern Utah at No. 15 Arizona State
(Thursday, 7:30 p.m. PT; Pac-12)
Line: Sun Devils by 44.5
Northern Colorado at Colorado
(Friday, 6 p.m. PT; Pac-12)
Line: Buffaloes by 35.5
Stanford vs. Kansas State
(Saturday, 9 a.m. PT; FS1)
Line: Cardinal by 2.5
Fresno State at No. 11 Oregon
(Saturday, 11 a.m. PT; Pac-12)
Line: Ducks by 19.5
San Jose State at No. 15 USC
(Saturday, 2 pm. PT; Pac-12)
Line: Trojans by 13.5
Oregon State at Purdue
(Saturday, 4 p.m. PT; PS1)
Line: Boilermakers by 7.5
Montana at No. 20 Washington
(Saturday, 5 p.m. PT; Pac-12)
Line: Huskies by 23.5
No. 16 LSU at UCLA
(Saturday, 5:30 p.m. PT; FOX)
Line: Tigers by 3.5
Nevada at California
(Saturday, 7:30 p.m. PT; FS1)
Line: Golden Bears by 3.5
BYU vs. Arizona
(Saturday, 7:30 p.m.PT; ESPN)
Line: Cougars by 12.5
Utah State at Washington State
(Saturday, 8 pm. PT; Pac-12)
Line: Cougars by 16.5
More: Pac-12 Conference announces it will not pursue expansion ‘at this time’
By the Numbers
3 — Number of Pac-12 teams ranked in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll — No. 12 Oregon, No. 14 USC, No. 21 Washington.
Game of the Week
No. 13 LSU at UCLA
There are some interesting non-conference games in Pac-12 football this week, but only one of them is against a ranked opponent: UCLA faces No. 13 LSU at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. A UCLA win would provide a big boost to the Pac-12 early in the season. LSU is a 3.5-point favorite in the game.
Keys for LSU
CB key for LSU. Star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. returned to practice Tuesday just in time for the Tigers after missing most of camp. He’ll be counted on to help LSU slow down UCLA’s offense.
Limit distractions. The Tigers were displaced from Baton Rouge because of Hurricane Ida and have been practicing this week in Houston. Will the team be focused in the face of that adversity? It will go a long way in determining the outcome in Los Angeles.
Quick start. LSU went a disappointing 5-5 last season and needs to get off to a quick start this season. Getting off to a quick start in this game would certainly help. A balanced offensive attack could keep UCLA on its toes to start the game.
Keys for UCLA
Build off win vs. Hawaii. The 44-10 win over Hawaii last week was nice, but LSU represents a huge step up in competition for the Bruins. Many have been praising UCLA in the wake of last week’s win. Did the team read that praise or will it be focused on Saturday?
Get more from Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The QB went just 10-for-20 for 130 yards and a touchdown in the win over Hawaii, with the Bruins riding their running game to the win. They’ll need the quarterback to step up if they want to upset the Tigers.
Get to the QB. Sophomore Max Johnson is LSU’s starting quarterback. He completed 58.7% of his passes last season for 1,069 yards and eight touchdowns, with one interception. He is a dual-threat, but it would help the Bruins if they could limit his time in the pocket.
Prediction
The Bruins have a lot going for them having already played a game and being at home. The Tigers’ talent should prevail, however, in a game that might not be decided until late.
LSU 34, UCLA 27
More: Pac-12, Big Ten, ACC announce alliance for ‘evolution of college athletics and scheduling’
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