The fun is way out west this weekend in college football, and much of the crucial activity will take place in the Pac-12. Let’s start with one of the great rivalries in the game, one that sets jaded Los Angeles buzzing. Yes, it’s Southern California visiting UCLA.

The No. 19 Trojans (7-3) are the leaders in the Pac-12 South. The No. 9 Bruins (8-2) are in a three-way tie for second. UCLA has beaten Southern Cal the last two years; they hadn’t won consecutive games in this series since taking eight straight from 1991-98.

Southern Cal quarterback Cody Kessler has been on a tear recently, with nine touchdowns and 771 yards in his last two games. He’s thrown 29 touchdown passes this season against just three interceptions. His Bruins counterpart, Brett Hundley, is no slouch, with 17 TD passes and four INTs.

OTHER GAMES WE’RE WATCHING

No. 15 Arizona (8-2) at No. 17 Utah (7-3): Arizona is a half-game behind USC in the Pac-12 South but needs to win twice and get some help to reach the conference championship game. The Wildcats have beaten the Utes twice in a row. Both come off last-second wins, the Utes in triple overtime.

No. 25 Minnesota (7-3) at No. 23 Nebraska (8-2): The Cornhuskers crumbled defensively last week against Wisconsin, as Melvin Gordon rushed for a single-game record of 408 yards without playing in the fourth quarter. Now they’ll have to contend with the Gophers’ David Cobb, who’s seventh in the nation with an average of 135 yards a game. These two teams are tied (with Iowa) for second in the Big Ten West.

Today’s Question

Which games will you be watching, and why?

Answers in the comment box, please.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .