Some games during the college football season get marked on your calendar far ahead of time. The Civil War on the south side of the Columbia River. The Apple Cup … usually … on the north side. Around the nation, there are plenty. The Iron Bowl, The Territorial Cup in Arizona, The Border War between Kansas and Missouri, The Egg Bowl between Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
While rivalry games are fun, there is a game for each week during this season to set your DVR for in the Northwest sector of the Pac-12 alone. These are the games that need to be seen.
Week 1: #19 Boise State at Washington
A rematch of last year's MAACO Bowl Las Vegas, won by Boise State, 28-26. Bishop Sankey had a tremendous night for the Huskies, rushing for 205 yards, and became the first player in the game's history to be named MVP on the losing team. Sankey has his chance for revenge in Seattle.
Week 2: Washington State at #24 USC
Both teams come into the season with questions at quarterback, but the Cougars aerial assault should be in full force for an early start to the Pac-12 season. This game will be a great indicator for how the Cougars have grown, and the Trojans may find themselves up for a better matchup then most expect, seeing them for the first time since 2010.
Week 3: Tennessee at #3 Oregon
Soft. The Ducks and their fans are sick of hearing this word come from the SEC. The constant boasts of how Oregon's high-speed offense does not work against the NFL ready defenses in the SEC, and the pointing at Auburn's win over Oregon in 2010 as proof. This will be a fun show to watch Oregon show the SEC what it is capable of.
Week 4: Arizona at Washington
If the Huskies are going to make any moves in the Pac-12, avenging last season's 52-17 blowout at the hands of the Wildcats is a good place to start.
Week 5: Washington at #4 Stanford
Secondly for the Huskies will be avoiding Stanford, who will be out for blood after the Huskies upset them in Seattle last year, 17-13.
Week 6: #25 Oregon State at Washington State
Pullman can be a hostile environment for any team. Coming from a fairly weak schedule to this point in the season, the Beavers have to be ready, whether it is Vaz or Mannion under center.
Week 7: Washington at Arizona State
Taylor Kelly of the Sun Devils is one of the most talked about quarterback prospects in the nation. Keith Price was the same in 2011. This will be a gunslinger's ball between the two.
Week 8: #21 UCLA at #3 Oregon
The Ducks have the advantage home in Eugene for this one, but may get caught looking ahead to their game in Palo Alto the following week. Keeping focus on the game at hand will be key for Coach Mark Helfrich.
Week 9: #3 Oregon at #4 Stanford
To this point, Oregon and Stanford should enter this battle undefeated. If so, this game may not only determine the winner of the Pac-12, but a possible contender for the BCS National Championship.
Week 10: #25 Oregon State at Arizona State
Between these two terrific offenses, this game will be a blast to watch. Between Kelly, Storm Woods, Brandin Cooks, and Jaelen Strong, the weapons will be out in force.
Week 11: Utah at Washington State
With this final game before the Apple Cup, the Cougars will either be competing for a bowl spot, or trying to salvage their pride before heading to Seattle. Either way, the fans will be loud for the Cougars.
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