No. 24 Oregon St Returns to AP poll, Underdog at Washington

Here are some things to watch this week in the Pac-12 Conference:

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 24 Oregon State (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12, No. 23 CFP) at Washington (6-2, 3-2), on Friday. Although the Beavers are back in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2013, they enter the game in Seattle as a 4 1/2-point underdog, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Last season against Washington, Everett Hayes hit a 20-yard field goal as time expired and Oregon State won 27-24 to snap a nine-game skid against the Huskies. This one should be entertaining, with all the other top teams in the conference heavy favorites this weekend.

MATCHUP OF THE WEEK

No. 9 UCLA (7-1, 4-1, No. 12 CFP) at Arizona State (3-5, 2-3), Saturday. The game features the top two backs in the league in UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet (137.7 yards rushing per game) and Arizona State’s Xazavian Valladay (95.0). Charbonnet has rushed for 100 or more yards in each of his last seven league games.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Dorian Thompson-Robinson can tie Cade McNown (1995-98) this weekend for most career starts (44) by a UCLA quarterback. ... No. 8 Oregon (7-1, 5-0, No. 8 CFP) has scored 40 or more points in seven straight games heading into its game at Colorado (1-7, 1-4). The Ducks average 42.4 points per game. ... Should the Ducks win out, they would reach a fourth straight conference championship game. ... The Ducks have allowed only one sack this season. ... Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. has thrown for 300 or more yards in all eight games. It's the longest streak in program history. ... The Huskies have scored on every opening drive this season (seven touchdowns, one field goal). ... No. 12 Utah (6-2, 4-1, No. 14 CFP) has won 23 of its last 24 home games. The Utes host Arizona (3-5, 1-4) this weekend at Rice-Eccles Stadium. ... Utah leads the league in time of possession (33:08). ... Wildcats receiver Jacob Cowing has a reception in 40 straight games. ... No. 9 Southern California (7-1, 5-1, No. 9 CF)) returns to the Coliseum after a month away to host California (3-5, 1-4). .. USC QB Caleb Williams threw for a career-best 411 yards and five touchdowns as the Trojans rolled to a 45-37 win at Arizona last weekend. ... Cal has won two of the last three games against the Trojans. USC leads the series 71-32-5.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Colorado freshman returner/receiver Jordyn Tyson, who's shined for the Buffaloes this season. In a 42-34 loss to Arizona State last weekend, Tyson had five receptions for 115 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown, and returned four punts for 131 yards, punctuated by an 88-yard score. His 246 all-purpose yards were the most by a freshman in school history. Tyson earned the league’s top freshman and special teams honors for the week.

UPSET WATCH

Washington State (4-4, 1-4) at Stanford (3-5, 1-5). The Cougars have won five straight over the Cardinal in the series and enter as a 5 1/2-point favorite. Stanford has lost four of its game against ranked teams, with its other loss being against Oregon State, which is now ranked. Stanford owns a 40-30-1 mark all-time against Washington State.