We're inside a month until college football kicks off the 2017 season. The Pac-12 conference gets under way a few days later, August 26. The best games of the year in the conference of champions, however, are spread out across the schedule.
Here are the best games on the Pac-12 slate this season.
Week 1
Texas A&M at UCLA
Sunday, September 3
Both programs will be looking at new quarterbacks — the Aggies with a new name and the Bruins with a healthy Josh Rosen. Texas A&M boasts two of the more electric players in college football in WR/KR Christian Kirk and sophomore running back Trayveon Williams. Jim Mora's defense and special teams will be challenged right out of the gate.
Week 2
Stanford at USC
Saturday, September 9
Probably two of the top three teams in the conference getting at it after just one week of non-conference matchups. This will serve as a nice early-season barometer for both schools, yet occurs early enough in the schedule where a loss does not eliminate either from Pac-12 title contention, or even a trip to the College Football Playoff.
Boise State at Washington State
Saturday, September 9
Neither team is a Top 15 program, but they're probably Top 25 and both quarterbacks — WSU's Luke Falk and BSU's Brett Rypien — are gunslingers with a chance to make this one one of the most entertaining shootouts of the entire season. Don't sleep on the Cougars' defense, however.
Week 3
Texas at USC
Saturday, September 16
This one's intriguing for many reasons, most of all the tradition that comes with each program. But it's a terrific test for the Longhorns just three weeks into the Tom Herman era. They'll have a lot of fresh faces, including at running back, but Shane Buechele returns for his sophomore season. The Trojans have weapons galore, so whether or not Herman and his staff can do what Charlie Strong as his staff couldn't — build a solid defense — may determine whether this game is a blowout or one to watch for 60 minutes.
Week 4
UCLA at Stanford
Saturday, September 23
By this point some questions may be answered for both schools; Stanford's quarterback situation and how well UCLA responds with a healthy Rosen — presuming he remains upright through three weeks.
Week 5
USC at Washington State
Friday, September 29
Both offenses should be well-oiled machines by this point in the season and with this being in Pullman on a Friday night, anything can happen with Mike Leach calling plays and Falk slinging the rock. Can the underrated Cougs' defense make enough plays to slow down Sam Darnold and company?
Week 6
Stanford at Utah
Saturday, October 7
Very likely to be smashmouth football at its best, led by both schools' offensive and defensive lines; Utah is known traditionally for its front seven play and the Cardinal for its stout play up front on offense. In this case, ugly is beautiful.
Washington State at Oregon
Saturday October 7
Likely to be the polar opposites to the Stanford-Utah tilt, both of these schools will score and score often. Don't be surprised if there are 100 points scored combined with WSU's rushing defense perhaps being the key. Slowing down Royce Freeman will be key for all Oregon opponents in 2017, though there are significant questions as to how the Ducks stop Falk from throwing for 500 yards and controlling the clock with a masterful short passing game.
Week 7
Utah at USC
Saturday, October 14
A contrast of styles. It's USC's depth and skill-position talent versus the fundamentals and defensive-minded approach of the Utes. Can QB Troy Williams make enough plays? Is there enough talent in Utah's secondary to support its line play versus one of the best quarterbacks in America?
Week 8
USC at Notre Dame
Saturday, October 21
This one might be fun only for those that share a massive hatred for Notre Dame, because on paper, despite the game being play in South Bend, this could be a blowout and one of the final games coached by Brian Kelly.
Oregon at UCLA
Saturday October 21
This matchup could be terrific and it could be meaningful in both division races. Can UCLA run the ball? Can the Ducks make plays on defense?
Week 9
UCLA at Washington
Saturday, October 28
Potentially a great matchup in Seattle. If UCLA bounces back and keeps Rosen healthy, they'll have a shot at a road upset such as this one. Washington will be heavy favorites, however, and the Bruins defense will be stretched in every direction. If they can slow the running game early and pressure Browning like USC did a year ago, this one could be a doozy.
Week 10
Stanford at Washington State
Saturday, November 4
It will be cold. Coach Leach will be saucy. And Falk will be great. Best part of this matchup might be Leach's presser after the final siren. Like all WSU games.
Oregon at Washington
Saturday, November 4
Washington exercised the demons spawn from 12 straight losses to Oregon by blowing the feathers off the Ducks 70-21 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene last fall. Willie Taggart has taken over for Mark Helfrich and inherits a solid QB situation with Justin Hebert. Revenge will be on Oregon's mind after the embarrassing loss last season but at Husky Stadium late in the year the Dawgs will be out looking for another convincing win.
Week 11
Washington at Stanford
Friday, November 10
A chance to be the game of the year in the conference by meaning if not matchup and pure entertainment. Washington blew out Stanford last year in Seattle but this one's in Palo Alto where the Cardinal have a significant home-field advantage thanks to all the rabid alumni and fans from the area crashing Stanford Stadium. OK, that last sentence is patently false and the Huskies still outclass the Cardinal in talent. For now.
USC at Colorado
Saturday, November 11
While there is a lot of buzz surrounding the Huskies' new secondary — and rightfully so — the Buffaloes lost a lot of talent in their defensive backfield, too, and don't appear quite as equipped to replace them as Washington. Secondary stuggles mean Darnold has a field day. But it's in Boulder, so let's see what CU defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot dials up in what could be a pivotal game for both teams as the regular season winds down.
Washington State at Utah
Saturday, November 11
Mike Leach. Kyle Whittingham. Air Raid led by Luke Falk. Stout 4-3 Defense anchored by a guy named Lotulelei. 'Nuff Said.
Week 12
UCLA at USC
Saturday, November 18
Here's to hoping for the health of the star players on both sides because the Battle of L.A. could be a good one this season and may have national implications. It's almost certain to have Pac-12 South implications.
Utah at Washington
Saturday, November 18
Was a close game a year in Salt Lake, a 31-24 Washington victory and two close losses late dropped the Utes from a potential 11-win season to 9-4. If former UW QB Troy Williams takes a big step forward, Utah is a legit threat in the South.
Week 13
Washington State at Washington
Saturday, November 25
Been a lot of blowouts of late in favor of Washington in the Apple Cup series but rivalry games like this always have the potential be great and Washington State is due a better showing versus the Huskies, who have won four straight, the last two by a combined score of 90-27 and the last three by a combined mark of 121-40. Two of those games were in Pullman, too, but it's Falk's last shot to beat Washington.
