Pac-12 TV Guide week 9: A week full of must-wins for Pac-12 teams

1. Stanford at Washington State - 7:30 PM ESPN

AK: Feels like Stanford's last big trap game before Notre Dame: They've played impossibly well at home this season, so their subpar road play seems to be the only thing that can hold them back. Washington State is excited to be back in contention for things, but are they ready for a huge leap forward? The Cardinal have owned the Cougars in the trenches in their last two meetings.

JF: Holy hell. Halloween night game in Pullman where the Cougars have a shot to slide into first in the North... this seems unimaginable. Stanford is the best team in the Pac-12, but WSU's air raid could give a Stanford's not as strong as usual defense a challenge on the road.

2. USC at Cal - 12 PM FOX

AK: Desperation game for both teams. USC loses and it's a battle to stay at .500 for a team low on depth. Cal loses and all the joy from their great 5-0 start is wiped away. An 11 game streak for the Trojans against the Bears is also on the line.

JF: Huge, huge game for both teams with a ton at play. This will also be a fun showdown between Jared Goff and Cody Kessler.

3. Oregon at Arizona State - Thursday 7:30 PM ESPN

AK: Loser leaves town (for the Vegas Bowl?) match. Neither ASU nor Oregon can survive another loss and have any hopes of getting to Santa Clara.  The Ducks offense is still only semi-functional but so is the ASU offense. Figure on another close game.

JF: Both of these teams have major potential to make runs at the end of the season, but they probably have to win this game to do that. Plus, let's see if a healthier Vernon Adams can consistently make Oregon a much better team.

4. Arizona at Washington - 7:30 PM FOX Sports 1

AK: Great Wildcats offense meets great Husky defense. Terrible Wildcats defense meets terrible Husky offense.  Something has to give.

JF: Arizona has an offense, but no defense and Washington has a defense, but no offense. I think that creates a low-scoring nail-biter in Seattle.

5. Colorado at UCLA - 12 PM Pac-12 Networks

AK: Congrats on your win Buffs! Now prepare for a beating.

JF: Both teams are coming off great wins, but UCLA is simply a far better team. But hey, maybe Colorado can sneak up on UCLA in a letdown.

6. Oregon State at Utah - 4 PM Pac-12 Networks

AK: Your basketball team looks like they'll be pretty good Beavers.

JF: This seems like a game where an upset good team comes home and takes out their frustration on a weaker foe. Sorry Oregon State.