As we head into week 4 of the Devil’s Best Interest, the Pac 12 is still flexing its muscles from a dominant performance in Week 3.  

There are some big games on tap, but none loom larger than the #23 Arizona State Sun Devils vs #5 Stanford at the Farm. Let’s take a look at what’s in store on Saturday.

Arizona Schools

The biggest game of the conference if not the nation kicks off at 4:00pm in Stanford Stadium between your Sun Devils and the Cardinal.

I’d like to focus on the fact that Stanford has allowed two lesser opponents to hang around longer that they should have so far this year. But it’s impossible to forget that Stanford handed Oregon a tough loss last year. And while ASU has a fast offense, it is not nearly as fast or efficient as the Ducks.  

Betting sites are currently giving the Sun Devils 6 points, and I would have to agree with that.

As for the Wildcats, they are taking a well-deserved week off. After all, they’ve played a grueling three weeks of football against two FCS opponents and one FBS school from a non-BCS conference.  

Washington Schools

Anticipate wins by the Washington schools on Saturday. #17 Washington hosts Idaho State and are favored by, are you ready? 49 points.

Washington State is also a big favorites against their opponent, the Idaho Vandals.

Sun Devil fans should expect two more Pac 12 wins here.

Oregon Schools

Oregon State hits the road to beautiful Southern California as they play the San Diego State Aztecs. While the Beavers are favored by 11.5 points, it is uncertain which Oregon State team will show up to play. Either way, a win for the Beavers helps the conference.  

Oregon is off this week and should hold their #2 ranking heading into week 5.

California Schools

We have already discussed the Stanford Cardinal match-up with ASU. The other bay area school, CAL, has a bye this week which leaves UCLA and USC.

The Bruins host the 0-3 New Mexico State Aggies and are favored by more than 40 points. The #13 Bruins will continue to roll.

The Trojans are also playing the Aggies, those from Utah State. The shaky Trojan team is only favored by 6 points at home. Both teams are 2-1, and Utah State lost a close game to Utah.  

I would not be surprised to see Utah St. pull off an upset. This is a tough call for Sun Devil fans. On one hand, we want the Trojans to beat a quality team for the sake of the conference, but then we have to consider SC as one opponent in the South.

Another home loss would cause louder outrage from fans urging Lane Kiffen’s firing. That noise could further rattle the team that heads to the House of Heat next weekend. Because of that, I’m rooting for Utah State on this one.

Utah & Colorado

The Buffs are the forth Pac 12 team with a bye in Week #4.

Utah on the other hand has a tough road match with in-state rival, BYU. This one’s traditionally unpredictable, but BYU is favored by 7 which I feel is about right after the way they dismantled Texas.

I have a difficult time rooting against BYU since most of my family are Cougars. But since a win by Utah will help my Devils, I am pulling for the Utes on Saturday, and you should too.

Starting in Week 5

The Pac 12 will finally enter conference play next weekend.

With that, the “Devil’s Best Interest” will get dramatically more interesting. We’re excited to break down the best-case worst-case scenarios as they relate to the Sun Devils and our Pac 12 South foes.

Each week will become more intence as it bodes towards the Conference Title game in December, with the winner heading to the promised land for the 100th Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1, 2014.

As they say, all the Devils need to do is handle their own business. And that’s the Truth.

We’ll be here to pick apart the “rest of the stuff.” ForksUp