What to Watch, Week 4: Pac-12 play brings exciting matchups

We’re already a quarter of the way through the college football season and consistent conference play begins this week.

This is when things get serious.

As we’ve seen in past seasons, early losses can be overcome, but losing from here forward likely would knock a team out of College Football Playoff contention.

Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of great ranked-team matchups this week outside of the Pac-12, which means staying up late for #Pac12AfterDark for many of you. But, we think the late night will be worth it; it has been in the past.

Here’s what to what heading into Week 4:

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Game of the week:
No. 9 UCLA at No. 16 Arizona, 8 p.m. ET
Arizona’s defense was one of the most feared in the Pac-12 year ago, but that hasn’t been the case through the first quarter of the 2015 season. The Wildcats have struggled without star linebacker Sccoby Wright, who has been recovering from a knee injury he suffered in the season opener. He has been practicing this week and could provide a problem for UCLA freshman quarterback Josh Rosen. Rosen has been good most of the season, but did struggle some against the pressure of BYU’s defense. That said, both of these offenses can light it up. Arizona QB Anu Solomon is one of the best in the country and UCLA’s defense was hit with another major loss with the season-ending injury to linebacker Myles Jack. Solomon will test the Bruins’ thin secondary early and often, so it will be interesting to see how the Bruins respond.

Both of these teams are among the favorites to win the Pac-12 South and Arizona is the defending champ, so this game will go a long way in terms of determining what will be a close divisional race.

Game to Watch:
No. 18 Utah at No. 13 Oregon, 8:30 p.m. ET
Utah is in the midst of a bit of a renaissance. It finished its nonconference slate 3-0 and has reached its highest ranking since 2010. That said, it will face a monumental task against an Oregon team that is one of the most dynamic programs in the country.

Utah has remained undefeated thanks to the strength of its defense, which is allowing just 18.3 points per game and just 105.7 yards per game on the ground. Oregon running back Royce Freeman leads the Ducks’ eighth-ranked rushing offense, and quarterback Vernon Adams, who returns this week after missing a game with a broken finger, will add another dimension to both the running and passing game. Adams has thrown for 555 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in two games this year.

However, the Ducks’ defense has been atrocious ranking 105th in the nation with 456.3 yards allowed per game. The Utes will rely heavily on running back Devontae Booker, who leads the tem with 345 yards and four touchdowns.

Utah played close in this game a year ago. It trailed 27-20 heading into the fourth quarter, but then gave up 24 points in the fourth quarter.

Also check out…
No. 24 Oklahoma State at Texas, Sat., 3:30 p.m. ET
There are no such things as moral victories in football, but Texas, which has struggled for the past few seasons, is claiming one in last week’s loss to Cal, and that should give the Longhorns momentum heading into their first conference game against Oklahoma State.

Texas quarterback Jerrod Heard was dynamic last week as he had little trouble leading his team up and down the field, matching Cal score-for-score. The defense left a little something to be desired, which will open the door for Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph, who has been sensational so far this season completing 68.9 percent of his passes for 947 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.

While Texas nonconference schedule was brutal, it will be better prepared for conference play. Oklahoma State is undefeated, but its toughest opponent was Central Michigan and the Cowboys struggled in that contest.

Channel surf through…
No. 22 BYU at Michigan, noon ET: BYU’s magical season hit a speed bump with a close loss to UCLA last week, but it has a chance to get back on track with a signature win against Michigan. Similarly, the Wolverines have been playing well of late, but this game will be a measuring stick of how far they’ve come in a few weeks.

Tennessee at Florida, 3:30 p.m. ET: Tennessee had a week off after a stunning loss to Oklahoma. Florida has been winning, but it hasn’t been pretty. And with backup quarterback Treon Harris suspended, the Gators will rely on Will Grier to play better than he’s played all season. This will be a good SEC East matchup.

No. 3 TCU at Texas Tech, 4:45 p.m. ET: If you like points, this is the game for you. Both of these teams can score a lot while their defenses leave a little something to be desired. TCU has lost a lot of starters on defense, which has placed pressure on the offense to perform. The Horned Frogs have had a lot of close calls this year already and this game in Lubbock should be no different. This one should be fun.

No. 14 Texas A&M at Arkansas, 7 p.m. ET: Ever since Arkansas coach Bret Bielema started gabbing about the schedules of a certain team up north, it’s been nothing but bad for the Razorbacks. Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury predicted Arkansas would get its (expletive) kicked by the Aggies. Will his prediction come true or will the Razorbacks get off the schneid?

Mississippi State at Auburn, 7:30 p.m. ET: The only reason this game is worth watching is to see whether quarterback Sean White can change the fortunes of a struggling Auburn team. White, a freshman, replaces Jeremy Johnson this week in hopes of righting the Auburn offense. Mississippi State goes as Dak Prescott goes, which will be a tremendous challenge for a porous Auburn defense.