Tempe, AZ – The Devils’ Best Interest, Week #8. Another big weekend is on tap in the Pac-12 race as ASU still controls their own destiny in their quest for the south title and a shot at the Rose Bowl.

This week is another huge test for the Sun Devils and for several other teams around the conference so let’s dive in and take a closer look.

The Pac-12 Standings going into Week #8

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#20 Washington @ ASU

3:00PM PT, PAC-12 Networks – Washington will be a difficult opponent, but the Sun Devils do get them at home which should help. ASU has played great football in Tempe this year, and QB Taylor Kelly has played his best on Frank Kush Field. Also, the Sun Devil starters were able to rest for most of the second half against Colorado, so they should be fresh and ready to go.

This Husky team is a big time threat with all of their weapons. ASU will need to play their best to win, and a victory here could help kick them back into the national rankings. The Devils are favored by 3.5 points in this game but have not played particularly well against ranked teams so I see this game as a toss up and the turnover battle could be the difference.

Taylor Kelly and the Sun Devils are 4-0 at home in 2013

#9 UCLA @ #13 Stanford

12:30PM PT, ABC/ ESPN2 – Stanford hurt the conference last week with a loss to Utah. They have killed their shot at playing in the national championship game now, but still have a shot at the Rose Bowl.

PAC-12 Play continues on Saturday, starting with UCLA at Stanford at 12:30PM PT.

Should Stanford rise up after their loss to the Utes, they could see a one or two-spot jump in the rankings depending on what unfolds in the Top-10 on Saturday. If UCLA avenges their 2 losses to Stanford last season (regular season and Pac-12 Championship), they will secure their Top-10 National status.

A UCLA conference loss to the North Division doesn’t mean much with regards to ASU’s potential battle with the Bruins for the Pac-12 South Title. A Bruin win will only increase the value of the Devils’ shot to de-throne the Bruins in Pasadena on November 23. Tomorrow’s UCLA-Stanford match will likely be a great game.

Washington State @ #2 Oregon

7:00PM PT, Fox Sports 1 – Unless UCLA stays undefeated the rest of this season which is unlikely, Oregon is the best hope for the Pac-12’s representation in the National Championship game.

We want the Ducks to keep rolling with a win in Eugene as they sport their new pink helmets for breast cancer awareness this week. Oregon should win by several touchdowns and stay ranked at #2, very good for the Pac-12 Conference.

#GOUtes

Utah @ Arizona

7:00PM PT, PAC-12 Networks – Easy pick here… Utah.

A win here combined with a couple of upsets in the national rankings could possibly get the Utes into the Top 25. It would be nice for the Sun Devils to face a ranked Utah tea when we head to Salt Lake City on November 9. Additionally, an Arizona loss should eliminate them from the South title contention and of course, any shot of reaching the promised land in Pasadena on Jan. 1 for the first time. All good stuff.

UA is favored by 4 points at home, but a loss for them here could put a damper on their hopes of a bowl game as they play the tougher part of the schedule on the back-end.

Oregon State @ Cal

7:30PM PT, ESPN2 – This is a tough one, but we want the Beavers. Both teams are in the North, so the standings won’t affect the Sun Devils.

Since Oregon State has a chance to be ranked when we play them, we want them to keep winning until they come to Tempe. They are favored by 10.5 points, but they have stunk it up against lesser-quality opponents this year so keep an eye on this one at 7:30PM Saturday night, it could be an interesting game.

Keep an eye on these non-conference match-ups…

Charleston Southern @ Colorado

11:00AM PT, PAC-12 Networks – Not much excitement about this one. Charleston Southern is 7-0 but aren’t even a BCS FBS school. It would be good for the Buffaloes if they can pull out another win to get to 3-3 on the season. Colorado is favored by 20 so it’s a good opportunity for the Buffs to gain some confidence back with a big win.

USC @ Notre Dame

4:30PM PT, NBC – This game is interesting due to the degrees of separation from ASU. I always root for the Pac-12 against other conferences and I dislike Notre Dame, so I want the Trojans to win.

However, if USC wins it will only be more painful for the Devils since they throttled the Trojans in Tempe but lost a heart-breaker to Notre Dame 37-34 a week later.

ASU’s loss to the Fighting Irish has still left a bitter taste. I’ll be happy if the Irish don’t win another game this year so I’m pulling for the Trojans on Saturday.

Interesting note: This is the 10th time in the series history that neither SC or Notre Dame is ranked in the AP poll since 1940. Photo courtesy, isportsweb.com

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Other notes…

If you haven’t noticed, the Wisconsin Badgers have crept back into the national rankings at #25 this week. If they stay on the winning track, it will help the strength of schedule for ASU since they took down the Badgers at home.

This should be another fantastic week in conference play so sit back and brace yourself for another exciting round of games. The action starts early with UCLA/Stanford at 12:30PM PT and Washington/ASU at 3:00PM PT. 

By late Saturday night, we’ll have a much clearer picture of who the real contenders are for the Pac-12 Championship and a trip at the Rose Bowl. Until then, Forks Up.

Watch Sun Devil DB #9, Robert Nelson in action tomorrow.
For essential Game Updates, follow @DieHardDevilASU on Twitter starting 30 minutes before kick-off