When is it too early to start dissecting the 2017 football schedule? Never.

We’re taking a look at some of the more important games each Pac-12 team has waiting for them in the fall: the must-wins and the trap games. Next up: California

Must-win game: Washington State, Oct. 13

There wasn’t really an obvious choice here because, at this point, Cal is probably the hardest team in the conference to project. With a new coach, a new quarterback and a defense lacking in talent, it’s hard to expect much from the Bears next year. We’re not going to completely write off the season in February, but there are more questions than answers. So, how do you pick a must-win game for a team like that? There’s not really one that makes complete sense, but here’s the case for Washington State. The game comes after a four-week stretch against Ole Miss, USC, at Oregon and at Washington. Oregon might be doable -- the Ducks have a lot to prove, too -- but that’s a tough run. The game against Wazzu is at home, Cal has won 10 of 12 against the Cougars and it’s deep enough in the season to where the players should be comfortable in the new schemes, but early enough to where the fan base will still be engaged. Plus, new Cal offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin engineered a win over WSU last year as the head coach at Eastern Washington. Arizona the following week was also considered, but if the Bears don’t pick up a conference win before then fans will already be thinking about 2018.

Trap game: Oregon State, Oct. 21

It’s fairly late in the season for a trap game -- especially for a team few expect to be a part of the bowl picture -- but Oregon State fits. It’s the 10th game in 10 weeks, against a team that doesn’t generate much buzz and is played before what will be a much-anticipated bye week. Additionally, the Big Game against Stanford is the next game on the schedule. That has all the makings of a trap game.