Pac 12 Update

The game of the week in conference play would normally be the Arizona-Arizona State clash this afternoon but neither team controls its own destiny. Both of these rivals sit at 6-2 in conference, tied with UCLA atop the South Division. Oregon wrapped up the North a very long time ago and awaits the South winner in Santa Clara. UCLA, however, is in the driver's seat and clinches the South with a win today against Stanford. A loss and the winner of Duel in the Desert gets the South nod. That is easy to remember. The Bruins are one of the teams that are tough to categorize. They have climbed back to the top ten yet does anyone trust them? They have been playing better of late with wins by double figures over Arizona, Washington and USC. But Stanford has owned them of late. then again Stanford is not the same Cardinal team of the recent past and they have yet to beat a Pac 12 team with a winning record for the conference season. I like the Bruins to pull away late. As for the battle of the Grand Canyon State, ASU seemed to be the clear favorite until they squandered a lead in the South race on November 15 by losing to a mediocre Oregon State squad. Arizona has had a great season and the game should be a good one. Winner, should UCLA also win, is the frontrunner for a Fiesta Bowl bid assuming Oregon beats UCLA in the conference championship game. Got it? I like Arizona in a close one. The Pacific Northwest teams are playing their state rivalry games tomorrow, which may be fun. And Notre Dame at USC is tomorrow, a game that had a lot riding on it a few weeks ago but will now help salve the wounds of the winner and prolong the agony of the loser.