Forks Up

This is another big week for the Devils and the Pac-12.

The action got started last night with UCLA visiting Utah and continues today with the highlight being the historic matchup of ASU and Notre Dame at AT&T Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. 

ASU @ Notre Dame (Dallas, Texas)

At the beginning of the season, this game looked like a chance for ASU to upset a nationally ranked team on the road. While technically this is listed as a neutral site, Notre Dame will be the home team as it is part of their Shamrock Series of games. 

In recent weeks the tables have turned in this contest. While Notre Dame started the season as a highly ranked team, it is the #22 Sun Devils that are now ranked and favored by 5.5 points. 

I keep hearing that ASU has a defense that is suspect to giving up big plays and could cause us problems in a big game like this. The only problem with this idea is that the other team must have enough playmakers to expose ASU and I don’t believe that Notre Dame does. 

#CrushTheIrish

I felt that the Irish were completely overrated last season and it showed in the national championship game. So far this year, Notre Dame beat Temple when they were ranked #14 then lost to #17 Michigan in a game where they were overmatched.  Then they bounced back by beating middle of the road Big-10 teams Purdue and Michigan State in close games. Finally last Saturday, the Irish received their second defeat when they were crushed in South Bend by Oklahoma, a game that finally dropped them from the rankings.  

Notre Dame has issues with fast paced teams and has little offensive firepower. I think the Devils will cause them fits and unless ASU commits multiple turnovers, which would be uncharacteristic, I don’t see any way that the Irish can compete with the Sun Devils. 

As ASU attempts to be the first team in the history of college football to beat USC and Notre Dame in consecutive weeks, this game could be a blowout. I think ASU will win by at least two touchdowns.

#12 UCLA @ Utah

This Thursday night matchup was very ugly as UCLA took out Utah 34-27. While having UCLA undefeated helps the conference, we were pulling for Utah to give the Bruins a conference loss in the Pac-12 South, which was by far in the Devils’ best interest. 

Unfortunately, the Utah offense was completely stagnant in the second half. A crucial six picks by the end of the game cost Utah the upset. Yes, six picks, not pick six, and  Utah still had a chance to win in the final seconds. 

Washington State @ Cal

This game simply doesn’t matter to the Devils. Both North Division teams are unranked. I guess I’m rooting for the Cougars because I’d like to see them get to a bowl game. This underwhelming Cal team probably won’t. 

#2 Oregon @ Colorado

Game over.

We want Oregon to roll and continue to put pressure on Alabama at the top of the rankings. Colorado plays in the Pac- 12 South so a conference loss here also helps the Devils. Go Ducks.

#15 Washington @ # 5 Stanford

This game is a bit of a tough one.  

I like what the Huskies are doing up in Seattle and wouldn’t mind them pulling an upset. However, it is great for ASU if Stanford remains undefeated and ultimately plays in the national championship by beating Oregon in this year’s match-up.

Be sure to tune in for this one, because it will be entertaining to say the least. Stanford is out for revenge after being upset by the Huskies in 2012.

That’s it for now, Sun Devil Nation. Watch for the results in are Week 6 review after the weekend.

Now, let’s break out the flames & beat the Irish. Follow @DieHardDevilASU on Twitter all day for important updates from Dallas.

Forks up.