The time has finally arrived. As a Sun Devil fan, this is what you were hoping for all season, a chance to play for the Rose Bowl. 

Each week I have presented the case for which teams to root for based on how it would help ASU in the Pac-12 Conference race as well as in the national rankings. 

Now as this season comes to a conclusion with only two games remaining, the Sun Devils have put themselves in the best position. It doesn’t matter what anyone else in the Pac-12 does. If ASU wins tomorrow against UCLA, they will be the Pac-12 South Champions and will battle in the Conference Championship game for a trip to Pasadena on Jan. 1, 2014. 

As is customary, I will touch on all six of Saturday’s conference games so you can plan your TV viewing accordingly.

#17 Arizona State 6-1 (8-2) at #14 UCLA 5-2 (8-2)

This is the biggest game for the Devils in years. It is fairly simple and straight forward; if the Devils win then they are Pac-12 South champs and will play in the conference championship game on December 7 against what looks like the Oregon Ducks. However if they lose, they will need to defeat Arizona and have USC beat the Bruins next week. 

It’s definitely not in the Devils’ best interest to have the championship come down to the Arizona game because we all know how crazy things can get in a rivalry contest.  Also, while USC has been playing much better under new coach Ed Orgeron, there is no guarantee that they can knock off the Bruins, even if the game is at the Coliseum. 

The Devils need to win this week in order to avoid scenarios that are, in part, left up to chance. Furthermore, ASU doesn’t need to add any extra significance to the Territorial Cup game next Saturday when things can easily become unpredictable.

In a surprise to many, the Devils are 2.5 point favorites in the Rose Bowl on Saturday. While ASU has outperformed UCLA this year in key facets of the game, many fans haven’t been comfortable calling this game either way. 

#5 Oregon 6-1 (9-1) at Arizona 3-4 (6-4)

With Stanford’s loss last week to USC, the Ducks are back in the driver seat in the Pac-12 North. They will be focused and eager to take care of business in Tucson. 

This bodes well for Sun Devil fans. Oregon is favored by 20 points in the desert, and with a loss to Washington State still lingering in Tucson, look for Arizona to come out flat and lose big here. This one could be a blowout by halftime and the Cats will start focusing on the Territorial Cup game by the fourth quarter.

Utah 1-6 (4-6) at Washington State 3-4 (5-5)

After the Cougars victory in Tucson, head coach Mike Leach was given a contract extension. The Utes are a vastly different team on the road, which is why Wazzu is favored to win at home. Both teams are fighting for bowl eligibility with the Cougars needing just one more victory to go bowling. Look for Washington State to win here and get into a bowl game, which is not only good for them, but the conference in general.

Cal 0-8 (1-10) at #9 Stanford 6-2 (8-2)

Stanford may still be a bit down after being upset by USC last weekend, effectively losing their outside chance at a national championship appearance. In fact, the Cardinal don’t even control their shot at the Rose Bowl at this point. 

Rivalry games are notorious for hosting upsets and Cal is hungry for a big win. However, Sonny Dykes and the Bears really don’t stand a chance here.

Stanford is favored by 31 points, and Cal has been crushed by far inferior teams than the Cardinal.

#23 USC 5-2 (8-3) at Colorado 1-6 (4-6)

Colorado still has an outside shot at a bowl game but look for USC to roll here. The Trojans still have a remote chance at winning the South, but they are also playing inspired football under their interim coach, Ed Orgeron. 

Since taking over for Lane Kiffin, Orgeron is 5-1 including the big upset over Stanford last week. The players and many USC alumni want Orgeron as SC’s permanent guy. If the Trojans win out, they just might get their wish. 

Colorado can be tough at home, especially if it is snowing, but they are still 22.5 point under dogs. Look for USC to continue their winning ways, which will only make things more interesting in the conference for their final game against UCLA.

Washington 3-4 (6-4) @ Oregon State 4-3 (6-4)

Although this game doesn’t affect the Devils in any way, at one point it looked like an intriguing matchup. However, neither the Washington defense or Sean Mannion have been very impressive as the season has progressed against tougher opponents. 

Both these teams have been ranked at times throughout the season, but have fallen on hard times as of late. In fact, both teams could make a case that the ASU game was a major stumbling block in their season. The Beavers have the advantage here at home. Also, their offense seems to do well against inferior defenses and that’s exactly what Washington has.

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Of all six Pac-12 games on Saturday, none has bigger implications than the game in Pasadena. And as many Sun Devil fans have expected, ASU’s match-up with UCLA has more riding on it than any other game this season.