Huskies, Cardinal highlight Pac-12 schedule

Huskies, Cardinal highlight Pac-12 schedule

Published Sep. 25, 2014 4:30 p.m. ET

The Pac-12 has a big game Thursday night, when No. 11 UCLA plays at No. 15 Arizona State. There are a few more pretty good ones on the schedule during Week 5, so here's a few things to watch:

GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 16 Stanford at Washington. Chris Petersen is the first Washington coach to start his career 4-0 since Gil Dobie in 1908. The Huskies face a big challenge if they're going to make it 5-0. The Cardinal lead the FBS in three defensive categories: yards allowed (204.3 per game), passing yards (66) and scoring (4.3 points). Washington has been inconsistent so far this season despite being undefeated, including an offensive letdown against Hawaii, defensive issues against FCS Eastern Washington and last week's slow start against Georgia State. The Cardinal's lone loss this season was to Southern California, which was bracketed by shutouts over UC Davis and Army.

BEST MATCHUP: Oregon State QB Sean Mannion vs. USC QB Cody Kessler. Obviously, they won't be directly facing each other, but watching them throw the ball around the Coliseum should be fun. Mannion became Oregon State's all-time leading passer with 11,339 career yards after throwing for 275 against San Diego State and is 17th nationally with 301 yards per game. Kessler is ninth in the FBS in completion percentage at 71 percent and averages 282 yards passing per game, with eight touchdowns and no interceptions.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: No. 2 Oregon and Arizona have bye weeks. ... California has outscored opponents 56-0 in the first quarter this season. ... Colorado held an opponent without a touchdown for the first time in 51 games after beating Hawaii 21-12 last week. ... Washington State's Connor Halliday leads the FBS with 1,901 passing yards and his 162 completions are more than all but five FBS quarterbacks have attempted.

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IMPACT PLAYER: Utah QB Travis Wilson. The junior's career was in doubt after medical tests revealed damage to an artery in his brain last season. He was cleared to play this season and has been on a roll ever since. Wilson has thrown for 618 yards and has seven touchdowns with no interceptions as he leads the undefeated Utes (3-0) into Saturday's game against Washington State. Wilson also took a hard fall on his head last week against Michigan, but returned to the game with stiches to lead the Utes to the victory, further proving he's fine.

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Compiled by AP College Football Writer John Marshall.

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