Below is the Week 3 rooting guide. We will rank the games in order of importance to Bruin fans – from least important to game of the week. The relevance level on this guide is pretty low when you’re 0-2, but outside of us getting our first win, we still have rooting interests across the league.
San Diego State vs New Mexico State
The Aztecs bullied us last week, but that’s not why I’m putting them this low in the rooting guide. It’s because, at this point, we only have our conference schedule to look forward to in order to give us hope to a decent season. Any non-conference opponents don’t really matter until we start winning. We expect the Aztecs to take down the Aggies pretty easily.
Cincinnati vs Miami (OH)
Rivalry Week: a bounce back game for the Bearcats after the beat down from the other Ohio School. For the same reason above, this game doesn’t matter much for us in the long run this season, but it would again pour onto our already lowly season if Cincinnati’s 13-game win streak against the Redhawks was snapped today. So go Bearcats!
#23 Washington vs Hawaii
The Huskies received their first loss to the Bears (as we wished!) after a weather delay. It was a strange situation for both teams. The voters seemed to respect Washington as they remain ranked. With Oregon now the front runner in the North, we are hoping the Rainbow Warriors beat the Huskies and go undefeated for their Pac-12 slate this year.
#15 Oregon vs Montana
This is a cupcake week for the Ducks as they take on Montana. We need them to win big here to hold onto the little bit of respect which the conference possesses.
Oregon State vs Cal Poly
The other remaining winless team in Pac-12 besides our dear Bruins. Oregon State significantly worsen their chances to make a bowl by losing to Hawaii last week. Let’s hope they get their first win of the season against a school we often forget has a football program. They should.
Colorado vs Air Force
Colorado did their job last week in beating an overrated Nebraska team and gained Mel Tucker’s Buffs votes in the polls. The Buffs should continue their win streak, but we want them to win big against an Air Force program that plays Boise State next week.
Cal vs N Texas
Bears finished just outside the polls after their surprise win last week in Seattle. If they score more than 27 points and cover the spread against N Texas, they may actually sneak into the Top 25. We’re rooting for them to beat the Mean Green by 3 TDs.
#11 Utah vs Idaho State
The Utes remain the top ranked Pac-12 team, but they struggled early on against N Illinois. We are rooting for them to put away their Big Sky opponent early this week and not repeat last week.
Arizona State @ #18 Michigan State
The 3rd biggest opportunity for the Pac-12 to make a statement this week, but it’ll be a tough one for the Sun Devils as they’re on the road with true freshman Daniels in East Lansing. Even more reason why we want them to get it done in the midday FOX slot.
Arizona vs Texas Tech
This is Arizona’s last game before we go to Tucson in two weeks. While the Red Raiders aren’t a marquee opponent, this is another big opportunity to beat a Big 12 opponent, especially after their loss to Hawaii in Week Zero. This is the first time these teams play since 1989 and it should be a shoot out which we want the Wildcats to win.
#24 USC @ BYU
Last week was the battle of the back-up QBs and Slovis showed he can hang for more than 3 quarters. Let’s see if he can do it for another game in Provo against a physical BYU team. We’re obviously rooting for the Cougars here to slow down the Air-Raid hype.
#20 Washington State @ Houston (Scouting Game)
I really need to start posting these guides before the games start for the week and not just Saturday. Washington State pulled out a solid win last night in the Cougars bowl. Gordon looked better in the 2nd half and the receiving corp is already giving me nightmares for when we travel to Pullman next week.
Game of the Week: Stanford @ #17 UCF
Game of the Week includes Stanford once again. Besides our own matchup, UCF is the next biggest opponent for the Pac-12 in Week 3. UCF has been the talk of CFB for the past two years as they only have 1 loss since 2016. This year is the one where they actually have a formidable schedule to make a case for the playoffs. The Knights are favored, but if Stanford gets it done today (Costella is back), then that should end UCF’s playoff hopes and put the Cardinals back in the top 25. We can’t have a Pac-12 power losing to UCF, so we’re definitely rooting for Shaw to get it done today.
Order of the games (PST) | Rooting Interest
Our Game – UCLA vs Oklahoma – FOX at 5 PM
1. Stanford @ #17 UCF – ESPN at 12:30 PM | Result: Stanford W
2. #24 USC @ BYU – ABC at 12:30 PM | Result: USC L
3. Arizona vs Texas Tech – ESPN at 7:30 PM | Result: Arizona W
4. Arizona St @ #18 Michigan State – FOX at 1 PM | Result: ASU W
5. #11 Utah vs Idaho State – 1:15 PM | Result: Utah W
6. Cal vs N Texas – 1:15 PM | Result: Cal W
7. Colorado vs Air Force – P12N at 11 AM | Result: Colorado W
8. Oregon State vs Cal Poly – 1:15 PM | Result: Oregon State W
9. #15 Oregon vs Montana – P12N at 7:45 PM | Result: Oregon W
10. #23 Washington vs Hawaii – P12N at 4:30 PM | Result: UW L
11. Cincinnati vs Miami (OH) – ESPNU at 9 AM | Result: Cinci W
12. San Diego State vs New Mexico State – 5 PM | Result: SDSU W
*#20 Washington State vs Houston played last night
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