Preview capsules for Saturday, Sept. 28
Arizona at Washington
When: 4 p.m. at Husky Stadium.
TV/radio: Fox 12; AM 1550.
Records: UW 3-0, 0-0; Arizona 3-0, 0-0.
Plot: The non-conference season couldn’t have gone any better for the No. 16 Huskies, which averaged 629 yards per game. Arizona is no slouch, though, averaging 322 rushing yards per game, albeit against weak opponents.
UW player to watch: Do-everything linebacker Shaq Thompson. To win the Pac-12, UW must stop spread offenses employed by the likes of Oregon. Arizona offers the Husky defense its first such test.
Arizona player to watch: All American Ka’Deem Carey averages nearly seven yards per carry. He’s the crucial piece in coach Rich Rodriguez’s spread-option.
Line: UW by 9.
Stanford vs. Washington State
When: 7 p.m. at CenturyLink Field.
TV/radio: ESPN Channel 35; AM 1360.
Records: WSU 2-1, 1-0; Stanford 3-0, 1-0.
Plot: WSU plays its annual game in Seattle against one of the nation’s elite teams. No. 5-ranked Stanford returns to the scene of its last Pac-12 loss, which occurred nearly a year ago to UW.
WSU player to watch: Connor Halliday has flourished the in the Air Raid offense past two weeks, averaging more than 360 yards passing. Of concern, though, are Halliday’s eight interceptions on the season.
Stanford player to watch: Quarterback Kevin Hogan is 8-0 as a starter. He doesn’t produce eye-popping numbers, but rarely turns the ball over.
Line: Stanford by 9½.
California at Oregon
When: 7:30 p.m. at Autzen Stadium.
TV/radio: Pac-12 Network Channel 420; AM 750.
Records: Oregon 3-0, 0-0; California 1-2, 0-0.
Plot: Two of the Pac-12’s best young quarterbacks clash in Eugene. No. 2 Oregon has one of the nation’s best defensive backfields while Cal’s defense is porous, allowing 42 points per game.
Oregon player to watch: Sophomore Marcus Mariota is garnering Heisman buzz, averaging 383.7 yards per game for an offense that has scored 61.3 points per game.
Cal player to watch: True freshman Jared Goff has taken well to coach Sonny Dykes’ “Bear Raid” offense. He leads the nation and the Pac-12 with an average of 435.3 yards passing.
Line: Oregon by 36½.
Colorado at Oregon State
When: Noon at Reser Stadium
TV/radio: Pac-12 Network Channel 420; AM 1190.
Records: Oregon State 2-1, 1-0; Colorado 2-0, 0-0.
Plot: The Beavers have been the cardiac kids, rallying to beat San Diego State last week after opening Pac-12 play with an OT win at Utah. Colorado hasn’t played since Sept. 7; floods postponed its game vs. Fresno State.
OSU player to watch: Terron Ward will try to ignite a Beavers running game that averages 2.1 yards per carry
Colorado player to watch: Quarterback Connor Wood (370 passing yards per game) will look to exploit a Beavers defense that has given up more than 35 points per game.
Line: Oregon State by 11.
Micah Rice
Columbian Sports Editor Micah Rice is the author of Tailgate Talk: College football from a Clark County perspective.