SEC ROOTING GUIDE
In which we tell you which teams you should root against in the upcoming week.
There aren’t as many clear-cut upset opportunities for potential conference champions this week, but as always, the SEC has several opportunities to root for underdogs in other conferences.
Oregon at California: The Ducks seem poised to end their troubles with Stanford this year with the Cardinal offense languishing. But as well as Oregon has played, it’s a potential trap game with that annual rite of passage looming next. Cal’s offense is capable of getting into a shootout with anyone, and shootouts are unpredictable, particularly in the Pac-12 this season. Some of the Bears’ scoring totals in games this year: 55 points, 45 points, 59 points and 60 points. Also, Oregon’s offensive line is healthy again, but one turned ankle by the left tackle and we’ve seen the Ducks look vulnerable in a hurry. Oregon should be a big favorite, but weeknight games are always weird (see: Arizona vs. Oregon). A loss here would torch the Pac-12’s playoff chances.
Texas at Kansas State: The Longhorns have played UCLA and Oklahoma tough. I also feel like Kansas State’s old-school, physical style and propensity to run the ball sets up well for a Charlie Strong-coached team. KSU has a clear advantage, and it is the only team unbeaten in Big 12 play. Texas is a hard team to figure, limiting Baylor pretty well one week in a 28-7 loss and then giving up 45 points to Iowa State in a shootout win. But I think Strong is a good coach, Texas should continue to get better, and the margin between these teams isn’t insurmountable. Continued chaos in the Big 12 helps the SEC.
USC at Utah: The Trojans already have four Pac-12 wins. With games at Washington State and vs. Cal on deck, a win here gives USC a great chance to get to 7-1 in the conference. In other words, the Trojans are the clear Pac-12 South favorites with a win here. Utah, meanwhile, lost to Washington State at home and needed double overtime to beat Oregon State in two of the last three outings. The Utes (5-1, 2-1) have Arizona State, Oregon, Stanford and Arizona up next, so a home win here doesn’t set off alarm bells. USC has a strong argument as the country’s best two-loss team, and it’s not inconceivable it plays a role in the playoff selection, at least as a resume builder for Oregon in the Pac-12 championship. The SEC probably benefits most from a Utah win here.
Arizona at Washington State: Don’t let the 2-5 record fool you. The Cougars are a tough out, particularly for a team with a susceptible pass defense (Washington State leads the nation with nearly 500 passing yards per game.) Mike Leach and Washington State lost to Rutgers by a field goal, Oregon by a touchdown and Cal by one point. Arizona gave up 380 passing yards to a similar pass-happy offense in Cal. The one-loss Wildcats have an impressive road win against Oregon and enough solid opportunities down the stretch to get into the playoff conversation. A win is a pre-emptive strike against that scenario for SEC hopefuls.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
