Columnist Sam Strong shares his thoughts on the Pac-12 conference.
SOUTH
1. USC (No. 13)
Much to the delight of everyone else in the conference, the Trojans’ season of destiny vanished in a 21-14 loss in Palo Alto two weeks ago. Some flaws were exposed in the defeat, particularly on the offensive line, but the group isn’t nearly as bad as they showed then. Coming off a bye week, they head to Salt Lake City on Thursday to face struggling Utah. But Thursday-night ESPN games on the road haven’t always been kind to the Trojans.
2. UCLA (No. 25)
The Bruins moved back into the top 25 this week after cruising by Colorado 42-14 on the road. UCLA needs to beat Cal to stay in contention for the Pac-12 South race and do so soundly to continue to prove it isn’t plagued by the same issues as past Bruin teams. Winning in Berkeley seems impossible at this point, something the Bruins haven’t done since 1998. That was three coaches ago.
3. Arizona State
Arizona State is a close third in the South. If things keep trending this way, UCLA’s Oct. 27 trip to Tempe, Ariz. could be very meaningful to stay in the running. The Sun Devils snuck by the Cal Golden Bears but should get a chance to clean things up this week in Colorado before their unenviable matchup against Oregon’ in two weeks.
4. Arizona
Not even copper helmets could help the Wildcats survive a game against the Oregon State Beavers that saw six lead changes. Quarterback Matt Scott appeared to sustain a serious ankle injury early in the game, but he hung in there and finished with 403 yards passing and three touchdowns. He did throw two interceptions, but you have to like Scott at the helm of Rich Rodriguez’s wide-open offense.
5. Utah
Like the Trojans, the Utes are coming off a bye. Unlike the Trojans, they have been thinking about an ugly defeat during their week off. Utah was embarrassed two weeks ago in Tempe 37-7. Even with the extra week, the Utes offensive line situation is far from settled as they look to be starting a redshirt freshman at right tackle. With USC defensive end Morgan Breslin lining up on the other side of the ball, it could get ugly.
6. Colorado
Before Saturday’s loss to UCLA, Colorado’s players said they didn’t want to be known as one-win wonders for their defeat of Washington State in the Pac-12’s toilet bowl, but that’s exactly what they are at this point. The Buffs are 1-4 and have been outscored 197-108. They have a bye before taking on Arizona State but not even a little Thursday-night magic can change CU’s luck.
NORTH
1. Oregon (No. 2)
With just about the entire world cheering on Mike Leach and the Washington State Cougars, Oregon went into halftime of its matchup with a miniscule four-point lead. Then Chip Kelly did what he always does and pressed turbo in the locker room. To say the Ducks took the game over in a flash is an insult to the speed of light.
2. Oregon State (No. 14)
Mike Riley has done more for the In-N-Out name than “Animal Style” fries. Apparently, he has instituted a meaty treaty with his team. After beating UCLA and Arizona in successive weeks, he’s treated the Beavers to In-N-Out on him. They remain undefeated after playing just three games and welcome 2-3 Washington State to Corvalis, Ore. on Saturday.
3. Washington (No. 23)
Suddenly the sky looks bluer in Seattle. Alright, not really. It’s still gloomy and raining, but Husky fans are riding high after beating then-No. 8 Stanford last week. Quarterback Keith Price wasn’t great but definitely wasn’t as bad as Stanford’s Josh Nunes. Washington’s defense will have no such luck on Saturday when they head to the Emerald City to face Oregon.
4. Stanford (No. 18)
Stanford looked pretty sloppy last week but somehow managed to remain in the top 25. Some were calling for an overhaul at quarterback, clamoring for junior and former UCLA commit Brett Nottingham. Coach David Shaw was quick to remind fans that Josh Nunes is in his first year as a starter. The Cardinal host the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday.
5. Cal
The “Fire Jeff Tedford” Facebook page is up to 340 likes and counting. Welcome to the way we measure how hot a coach’s seat is in 2012, Tedford. He better hope those numbers stay down but at 1-4, you may see your best Berkeley friend pop it into your News Feed sooner rather than later. Cal ranks last in the Pac-12 in rushing defense. Cue the Johnathan Franklin Heisman buzz again.
6. Washington State
It almost seemed crazier than Mike Leach that the Cougars were hanging with Oregon on Saturday but Leach’s team is capable of playing good football. It just hasn’t done it consistently. Things would look a lot different for WSU if it didn’t suffer through a crash-and-burn collapse to lose to Colorado. Now, the Cougars are looking at 2-4 if they can’t slow down Oregon State.