Is it just me or has this been the slowest week ever? The college football playoff rankings were released on Tuesday with the Sun Devils sitting at #14, so it seems like forever to get this weekend’s high caliber match-ups underway. With success in the next two weeks, Arizona State would become a top 10 program, but first things first. There is a huge game looming against #19 Utah on Saturday.  

Pac 12 North and South standings going into Week 10

Washington at Colorado

ASU has knocked off both the Huskies and the Buffaloes so no matter the outcome the Sun Devils strength of schedule will improve. However, we want Washington to win for one of the same reasons we want the Trojans to, bowl eligibility. The Huskies also need one more win to get to the magic number of six, and every bowl team that ASU beats helps the Sun Devil program. Go Huskies!

USC at Washington State

Easy pick here as this game has some impact on the Devils. We want USC to prevail for a couple of reasons. First, each win SC earns adds weight to ASU’s dramatic victory at the Coliseum on Oct. 4. Second, the Trojans have five wins so a victory at the Palouse makes them bowl eligible. That’s another plus for the Pac-12’s resume and more revenue to be collected by conference schools.

Stanford at #5 Oregon

On the surface this looks like an easy choice. Naturally, we want Stanford to win to boost our strength of schedule. However, Oregon is currently the only conference team with a realistic shot at the four team playoff. 

If Oregon wins big and gets a bump into the top 4, this is good news for the Pac. There is still a scenario where a one loss ASU plays a one loss Oregon in the conference championship with the winner headed to the Rose Bowl and/or the Playoff. If Stanford wins that possibility is essentially eliminated. Do your thing Ducks.

#12 Arizona at #22 UCLA

At the beginning of the season, who would have thought that tucson would be the  higher ranked team in this match-up? No one. Sun Devil fans know that, other than their big win at Oregon, the Wildcats’ resume is truly not all that impressive. They barely got by Cal at home on a Hail Mary, snuck by UTSA in the waning moments of the game and lost at home to USC in their most high profile match-up in years. However, I feel that the Bruins aren’t quite the same since they won big here in Tempe. 

UCLA was very fortunate to win their last two games against Cal and Colorado, yet somehow find themselves a 6.5 point favorite over the Cats at home. I wish both teams could lose, but since that can’t happen we’ll pull for the Bruins. Another conference loss by Arizona should take some of the pressure off of ASU’s trip to Tucson in four weeks. Make no doubt about it. A win by both Territorial Cup schools on Saturday will jump-start the hype for this year’s showdown in Tucson in four weeks. Still, go Bruins.

Cal at Oregon State

Both of these North teams head into this match-up with four victories and are fighting for bowl eligibility. An Oregon State win could benefit ASU when they go for a victory at Corvallis in two weeks.

#17 Utah at #14 Arizona State

One of the biggest games in the country takes place here in Tempe as the Utes come to Sun Devil Stadium in a Pac 12 South fight. Both teams control their own destiny, and Saturday’s loser will find themselves on the outside looking in.

After a tough battle at Washington last week, I see the Devils coming out of Tillman Tunnel focused and ready to perform in front of the Maroon & Gold faithful. Utah has a tough defense, but I am not impressed with their quarterback play. Add in the loss of Dres Anderson, Utah’s best receiver, for the season. I see this one being very similar to the Stanford game with the Devils pulling out win #7.

#10 Notre Dame @ Navy

While this is not a conference game, it is big for ASU. I traditionally root for Navy in this one, however this year is different. With a big win by the Irish, Notre Dame will head into Tempe next Saturday as a top 10 team. Should ASU take care of Utah, a win over a top 10 Notre Dame would thrust the Devils into the single digit rankings and  into the playoff conversation. It pains me to say but Go Irish!  

There you have it, this weeks matchups that have the most impact on your Sun Devils. Come Sunday, the Pac 12 race will be much clearer. But for now, let’s sit back and enjoy a beautiful Saturday in November.