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Even after last week's struggles in various pockets of the country, the Pac-12 will keep playing football in 2015. The conference will hope for a better showing than last week's 7-5 record against schools from other leagues, including Washington State's loss to a Big Sky Conference team. Oregon's beating a Big Ten power would help. A glance at the 12-game schedule, beginning Friday: Friday's game Utah State at Utah, 7 p.m. MDT, ESPN2 USU upset the Utes in overtime in Logan in 2012 and lost a fourth-quarter lead in Utah's 30-26 win in 2013, so this historic rivalry is coming to a temporary end just when it is is getting good. The Aggies' offense, however, doesn't appear capable of staying with the Utes this year. Utah 27, Utah State 13. Saturday's games Oregon State at Michigan, 10 a.m. MDT, ABC Interesting, how the schedule converged for two Oregon schools visiting Michigan's two Power 5 schools. This game feels like an undercard to Oregon-Michigan State. It's the home opener for the Wolverines in coach Jim Harbaugh's return to the school, and Michigan's defense should overpower the Beavers. Michigan 28, Oregon State 10. UMass at Colorado, noon MDT, Pac-12 Mountain Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre insists that the Buffaloes outplayed Hawaii last week, but "bonehead mistakes" hurt them in a 28-20 loss. The Buffs should get going in Boulder, although they had a tough time with UMass last season, salvaging a 41-38 win. Colorado 41, UMass 27. Sacramento State at Washington, noon MDT, Pac-12 Networks Sacramento State is one of those Big Sky schools that regularly takes on the Pac-12, with mixed results. Washington gained only 179 total yards in a 16-13 loss at Boise State last week, as freshman quarterback Jake Browning struggled. He should improve against the Hornets. Washington 35, Sacramento State 14. Washington State at Rutgers, 1:30 p.m. MDT, ESPNU After being embarrassed by Portland State in a 24-17 loss in Pullman, the Cougars have to travel a long way to New Jersey. It won't be easy, facing a Big Ten team on the road. Rutgers 28, Washington State 24. San Diego State at California, 3 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Networks For the sake of intrigue, this game ranks No. 2 on my list this week behind Oregon-Michigan State. Cal is on the verge of Pac-12 competitiveness, although last week's opponent (Grambling State) did not offer much of a gauge. SDSU's traditionally tough defense will provide a challenge for Jared Goff and the Cal offense. And has the Bears' defense improved enough to subdue a top-tier Mountain West team? California 31, San Diego State 24. Arizona at Nevada, 5 p.m. MDT, CBS Sports Network Arizona's nonconference schedule is unimpressive, for a Top 25 team, and that label fits the Wildcats' 42-32 win over Texas-San Antonio to open the season. Arizona will be missing star linebacker Scooby Wright due to a knee injury, and the Wildcats should be challenged in Reno. Arizona 38, Nevada 27. Oregon at Michigan State, 6 p.m. MDT, ABC There's some danger in judging this matchup by last September's 46-27 score in Oregon's favor. That's because the Ducks trailed 24-18 and were in some trouble before Marcus Mariota went wild in the second half. Is Vernon Adams capable of producing 46 points in his first road start as Oregon's QB? Probably not. The Spartans hardly overwhelmed Central Michigan last week, but they'll be revved up Saturday. The Pac-12 really needs this victory, but it will be difficult to achieve. Michigan State 35, Oregon 31. Idaho at USC, 6 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Networks Let's go ahead and award the Sun Belt title to the Trojans, after they beat Arkansas State last week and now host the Vandals. USC 55, Idaho 10. UCLA at UNLV, 8:30 p.m. MDT, CBS Sports Network UCLA is a good attraction for UNLV, with easy access for Bruins fans. UCLA is BYU's next opponent, so the Cougars will be interested to see how freshman quarterback Josh Rosen follows his brilliant debut against Virginia last week. UCLA 42, UNLV 21. UCF at Stanford, 8:30 p.m. MDT, Fox Sports 1 Stanford coach David Shaw spoke this week of how he fields "the same four questions" after every loss, one of them having to do with Shaw's calling the team's offensive plays. Not much worked for the Cardinal in a 16-6 loss at Northwestern. The offense needs to get going against the Knights, who are making a long trip from Orlando. Stanford 24, UCF 10. Cal Poly at Arizona State, 9 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Networks The Sun Devils' loss to Texas A&M is forgivable, considering the neutral site in Houston basically created a home game for the Aggies. ASU fell out of the Top 25 and will haven to play its way back in, gradually. Arizona State 35, Cal Poly 17. – Kurt Kragthorpe