ASU Must Beat UCLA and USC

Aug 28, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Gary Chambers (81) spikes the pitchfork in celebration after beating the Weber State Wildcats 45-14 at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Pac-12 this year feels a lot like the SEC, ultra competitive with 5 teams in the top 25 polls (Oregon, Stanford, Arizona State, USC and UCLA) and a wildcard team in University of Arizona (remember they beat Oregon 42-16 and only lost to UCLA and USC by a collected 12 points last year). With all this coming to a collision course soon, my feeling, and hopefully everyone’s feeling, is that in order for ASU to win the PAC-12 south, ASU must beat both USC and UCLA.

UCLA and ASU have won the South division in the last three years (UCLA 2011 and 2012, ASU 2013) and in 2011, when USC was dealing with a suspension, the team when 10-2, which would have won the South easily. They have a lot of talent and have good coaching staffs. I think UCLA out of the 3 has better talent and coaching staffs. These teams also have the best Quarterbacks in the South (again Hundley barely beats out Kelly). The reason I say they must beat them is because if they can’t beat either of the teams, it opens the doors for the LA teams to sweep the South and take their spot. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love ASU’s chances of repeating as the South champions, but if they lose to UCLA or USC, its over. I can say this with all my heart because I know UCLA and USC aren’t gonna lose to anyone in the PAC 12 south, I think they won’t lose until UCLA plays Oregon and when each team plays against each other. They each could go 11-1 and ASU could be looking outside. That’s why ASU has to run the table, they can’t afford to lose a single game this year, and they especially can’t afford a defeat against the LA teams.

It’s going to interesting to see September 25th when the Bruins head to the Inferno and on October 4th when ASU goes to the Coliseum. The most important date for the PAC 12 south to know, November 22, when UCLA and USC battle it out.