A number of key non-conference games in the Pac-10 this week along with a number of conference match ups to kick off conference play for a number of teams this week. UCLA provided the only surprise win this week, but a number of games were surprising despite the final outcome.
1. Stanford
4-0 (1-0 Pac-10)
LW: 1
Easily handled the Irish in South Bend. Stanford continues to look to me as the strongest team in the conference especially after Oregon and Arizona’s games today. That shut out against UCLA looks a whole lot more impressive now too. Up next? Oregon in Eugene. More on the Ducks next.
2. Oregon
4-0 (1-0)
LW: 2
Faced their first real challenge this week of the whole season at ASU and looked mortal. Trailed the Sun Devils by 10 at one point, but ASU lost the ball seven times, including three INT’s late in the game when the Sun Devil’s still had a shot. Playing Stanford next week in Eugene, I’m picking the Cardinal. Would have dropped the Ducks a spot but…
3. Arizona
4-0 (1-0)
LW: 6
10-9 win over Cal? The same Cal that Nevada put up 52 points against last week? They get Oregon State at home next week. Would have dropped the Wildcats a spot but…
4. USC
4-0 (1-0)
LW: 4
Another sloppy, unimpressive win, but a wins a win. Hey wait, thats exactly what I said LAST week (seriously you can check). WSU stayed in the game through the first half, then the Trojans put it away . USC takes on Washington in the Coliseum next week. Huskies coming off a bye week after a blow out loss to Nebraska. Last season the Huskies shocked the country with their upset win of the Trojans in Seattle, and the game features former USC assistants Kiffin vs. Sarkisian. Should be an interesting game.
5. OSU
1-2
LW: 5
Possibly the best 1-2 team in the country right now, the Beavers have faced a tough opening slate of games, with both loses coming against top 10 ranked BCS Busters (and last years Fiesta Bowl teams) TCU and Boise State. OSU gets ASU at home next week.
6. ASU
2-2 (0-1)
LW: 6
The Sun Devils continue to look like a team that is THIS close to turning the corner with solid performances against Wisconsin and now Oregon. ASU led the game early and had a chance to come back and win but Sun Devil’s turned the ball over SEVEN times including three INT’s in the 4th quarter to stall any chances of a come back against the Ducks. Travel to Corvallis for a battle for the middle of the Pac-10 against Oregon State next week.
7. UCLA
2-2 (0-1)
LW: 9
Perhaps the biggest upset of the week. Two weeks ago it looked like the Bruins might be battling WSU for the worst team in the conference after losing to Kansas State and getting shut out by Stanford in L.A. Then came the win against Houston, but the Cougars had lost two QB’s in the game, so there was a question mark. Last years BCS champ contender Texas IN Austin? Not a chance! Then the Bruins came to town and throttled the Longhorns just like they had Houston the week before (note to any other Texas schools, don’t schedule UCLA). Bruins looking at a 3-2 start with an almost certain win against WSU next week.
8. Cal
2-2 (0-1)
LW: 4
Meanwhile fellow UC school Cal-Berkley is doing the opposite. After starting hot with blow out wins against weak opponents the Golden Bears have dropped two in a row, first in a shoot out against Nevada and then in an SEC esque 10-9 loss to Arizona this week. Almost pulled off the upset but Wildcats QB Nick Foles managed to throw the games only touchdown in the final minutes of the game. Still the losses have come to solid opponents and the bears have a week off before facing the Bruins at home in two weeks.
9. Washington
1-2
LW: 9
Huskies were off this week and head down to L.A. to take on the Trojans next week in their conference opener. Would have kept them 8th if Cal had lost to Arizona by more than 1 point in the waning minutes.
10. WSU
1-3 (0-1)
LW: 10
Cougars showed some fire for the first play scoring the first points on a double pass, and stayed in the game during the first half, but the Trojans controlled the second half completely and never trailed after scoring quickly in the first quarter in response to the Cougars opening TD.
Not sure how you could label the Trojans’ win “sloppy”. Their second half was the most complete they’ve played on both sides of the ball so far this year, penalties were finally under control, and the special teams were outstanding. Aside from the two careless interceptions by an overconfident Barkley in the first half, USC played exactly how they should’ve played against a weak WSU team. USC has improved their discipline on both sides of the ball every week exactly as expected.