Five Worst PAC-12 North Games for 2014, Oregon and South Dakota Top the List

While we try to keep things positive here at the Autzen Zoo sometimes the facts need to be faced. Not everything is good, in this case we’re looking at the worst games PAC-12 North teams will play in 2014.

With the College Football Playoff coming this season non-conference games will play a part which is partly why I thought about singling out some of these games. At the same time there are some conference games that’ll probably fall onto this list.

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Here are the five worst games for the PAC-12 North –

1 – Oregon v. South Dakota Saturday, August 30 at 7:30 pm on the PAC-12 Network
How did this make the list?: The Ducks do play Michigan State and Wyoming in addition to a tough conference schedule but this game? South Dakota are proud FCS members who no doubt will financially benefit from this game but what does it do for Oregon besides allowing them to be 1-0 before Sparty comes to Autzen.

2 – Washington v. Georgia State Saturday, September 20 time TBD
How did this make the list?: Georgia State is a team in transition but at the same time Washington could’ve found another “winnable” game then this Sun Belt opponent. This game will come at a good time for the Huskies who the following week is a physical Stanford team.

3 – Stanford @ California Saturday, November 22 time TBD
How did this make the list?: For a rivalry that’s had so many great moments we’ve got to accept where both programs currently are at. David Shaw’s program has won back-to-back conference crowns and played in three straight BCS bowls (Fiesta, Rose back-to-back). Cal didn’t win a PAC-12 game last season under Sonny Dykes. Hopefully we’re wrong about this game but recent history suggests the opposite.

4 – California v. Sacramento State Saturday, September 6 at noon on the PAC-12 Network
How did this make the list?: Yes, we just mentioned the Golden Bears on this list and will again with no ill will towards Cal. This game sticks out given that California also faces Northwestern and BYU in their non-conference schedule. Another game against a FCS opponent and this has the potential for an upset so here’s hoping the Hornets get swatted.

5 – Stanford v. UC Davis Saturday, August 30 at 1 pm on the PAC-12 Network
How did this make the list?: Because Stanford should be playing a more challenging opponent, yes it’s the opener against a local in-state opponent but they are a FCS team. The past couple years they opened against San Jose State which would’ve been better than this opponent. It be one thing if the Aggies were better but like their rivals Sacramento State they shouldn’t be on a PAC-12 schedule.

Thursday we’ll give the same treatment to the PAC-12 South so please check back then.