This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A weekend's full menu of six conference games is somewhat unusual this season in the Pac-12, and this is a intriguing schedule. The big question is whether USC and the Arizona schools can extend the trend of road teams winning conference games, with a 16-7 record to date.

Friday's game

Oregon at California, 8 p.m. MDT, Fox Sports 1

Just down the road from San Francisco, where the Giants and Kansas City Royals will play Game 3 of the World Series, Oregon will try to continue its roll at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The Ducks have been impressive against UCLA and Washington since losing to Arizona, and should have no trouble scoring points against Cal. The Bears are capable of moving the ball themselves, but not sufficiently to keep up in this game. Oregon 49, California 28.

Saturday's games

UCLA at Colorado, noon MDT, Pac-12 Networks

Nobody's sure what to to think of UCLA, after the Bruins nearly lost a third straight game, with only a controversial interception preserving a 36-34 win at Cal. Except for a crazy game at Arizona State, UCLA has not overwhelmed anybody all season and Colorado will keep that from happening. UCLA 35, Colorado 28.

Oregon State at Stanford, 1:30 p.m. MDT, ESPN2

This matchup has produced some tight, low-scoring games lately, and this should be another one. Stanford keeps searching for offense and OSU scored only one touchdown in regulation in a loss to Utah last week. Stanford 21, Oregon State 17.

Arizona at Washington State, 4 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Networks

If you consider the Arizona schools' visit to the state of Washington as a doubleheader (spread over 285 miles), it should be very interesting.

In Pullman, the Wildcats and Cougars will make everyone glad this game starts in the afternoon, but it will take a while. Arizona 42, Washington State 35.

USC at Utah, 8 p.m. MDT, Fox Sports 1

Unless there's some obvious element I'm missing, I'd say anyone would be crazy to bet on this game. USC is generally favored by one point. So will it be an upset if No. 19 Utah beats No. 20 USC? Yes, because that means a Pac-12 home team will actually win.

Road teams are 16-7 in the conference. That's partly explained by the balance in the league and some wild finishes, but it has to swing back at some point.

Analyzing this game is simple – which is also why the matchup is mysterious. If the Utes can generate any kind of passing game, running back Devontae Booker can gain consistent yardage. If USC can protect quarterback Cody Kessler from Utah's pass rush, the Trojans will thrive through the air. But who knows which of those things will happen?

Utah's three Pac-12 games have been decided by one, two and zero (as of regulation) points. Here comes another close contest. Utah 26, USC 24.

Arizona State at Washington, 8:45 p.m. MDT, ESPN

Quarterbacking is front and center in this matchup. Taylor Kelly is expected to return as ASU's starter, after being injured Sept. 13. All week, Washington's Cyler Miles has been considered "day-to-day" with a concussion. If Miles can't play, the Huskies are in trouble. Even with him, it will be tough to derail the Sun Devils, who looked solid against Stanford last week. Arizona State 31, Washington 24.

– Kurt Kragthorpe