Happy Friday!
Leading off
We've got football tonight! And in true Pac-12 fashion, it features the top two scoring offenses in the conference and the league's most efficient passers. Oregon ranks No. 1 in the Pac-12, scoring an average of 43.6 points per game. Cal is No. 2, averaging 41.6 points per game. Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota ranks first in the league in quarterback efficiency, and Cal's Jared Goff is No. 2. The weather in Santa Clara tonight calls for 75 degrees and partly cloudy, so don't expect an monsoons like last season in Eugene.
Here's what some folks are saying about tonight's showdown:
Marcus Mariota has set himself apart from some of the previous Heisman winners.
The Bears are leaving last year's water-logged loss in the past.
Sonny Dykes said the trip to Levi's Stadium feels like a road game.
The Ducks' defense is starting to find success in the opponent's backfield.
As noted, the quarterbacks will take center stage in the showdown. Here's a statistical breakdown of Mariota and Goff.
Pick 'em
As always, the Pac-12 blog presents its picks on Thursday morning. And each Friday we bring some picks from national writers and folks who cover the conference. Perhaps the most interesting aspect is that all the Pac-12 blog writers picked Utah to beat USC. And we all know what happens when the Pac-12 blog agrees (gulp).
But we're not the only ones. Stewart Mandel from Fox Sports is also a Utah believer:
The Trojans are the more talented team, but this is not the most favorable matchup for them. RB Buck Allen has sprung for at least 115 yards in all but one game but the Utes boast the nation’s sixth-best rushing defense. And Utah star Devontae Booker is fully capable of exploiting an average USC rushing defense. The Trojans admittedly have a huge edge at quarterback with Cody Kessler, but if Utah prevents too many long throws downfield, it should survive.
Jacob Thorpe of the Spokesman Review likes the Trojans.
Mostly consensus for the Athlon folks, though there are a couple of dissenting opinions on Utah-USC and ASU-Washington.
Ryan Thorburn of the Register-Guard likes the Cougs in an upset over Arizona.
News/notes/team reports
Rich Rodriguez is re-writing Arizona records.
Todd Graham sees big things for safety Damarious Randall.
Colorado disputes claims its offensive line plays dirty (see UCLA story below).
Texas A&M has pulled out of its future nonconference game with Oregon and replaced it with Clemson.
An Oregon State practice report (including some injury updates).
David Shaw says he's going to change things up on offense.
Shots fired; UCLA defensive lineman calls Colorado's O-line "dirty."
Some video with USC offensive guard Viane Talamaivao.
The Utes are no longer a Pac-12 novelty.
Notes and quotes from Chris Petersen's meeting with the media.
A profile of Eric Mele, who is running WSU's special teams.
Just for fun
What does Super Mariota really look like?
This doesn't qualify as "fun," but more of a tip of the cap to Colorado, UCLA, Navy and San Jose State, who will honor Houston offensive lineman David Quessenberry, who is battling cancer.
Yesterday was media day for Pac-12 basketball. Here's an interesting comparison between Pac-12 hoops and football. Unlike football, basketball has a little bit of DISparity.
Good to see this guy up and moving.