By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
Several groups within the West had optimistic outcomes over the weekend.
USC beat Nebraska on the street, Arizona State upset Iowa State in Ames, Utah crushed a revered Cincinnati group, and Arizona destroyed Colorado in Boulder.
To not be forgotten, San Diego State continued their scorching streak whereas Fresno State posted a surprising victory on the street at Boise State.
The outcomes induced some shake-up within the rankings.
Right here’s how I view the Prime 10 Groups within the West heading into Week 11.
1. Oregon (4-1, 7-1) ◄►
The Geese are coming off a bye week at 7-1 with the lone lack of the yr coming to No. 2 Indiana.
However Oregon’s notion is closely reliant on its model. If a blind comparability check had been made, how would UO actually stack up?
The group doesn’t have any victories over applications at present ranked within the Prime 25, they’ve only one win in opposition to FBS groups above .500, and the FBS opponents they’ve overwhelmed have a mixed document of 17-34.
Frankly, it’s truthful to say that Oregon has misplaced to the one good group it has performed.
2. BYU (5-0, 8-0) ◄►
BYU has a case to be one of many Prime 4 seeds within the playoff rankings launched this Tuesday.
The Cougars are undefeated and sit atop the Massive 12 standings. The most effective win of the yr is over Utah, a group at present ranked No. 17 within the AP Ballot, whereas the victories at Iowa State and at Arizona are reasonably respectable.
The shut sport at Colorado is turning into extra questionable by the week, nevertheless.
However none of that issues. What issues is the outcome this week on the street at No. 9 Texas Tech.
3. Utah (4-2, 7-2) ◄►
That was a formidable win. Cincinnati is having season, and the Utes embarrassed them. Utah in a completely totally different class.
Now, an at-large bid to the Playoff is nearer to actuality. The ACC is horrible this season and figures to proceed consuming itself. All Kyle Whittingham’s group can do is win out and see how the playing cards fall.
Baylor, Kansas State, and Kansas are left on the schedule after this week’s bye.
It might not be a shock if the Utes end the common season with out shedding one other sport.
4. USC (4-1, 6-2) ▲1
Bconsuming Nebraska on their house subject checked a essential field. It proves USC’s standing within the expanded Massive Ten.
Mixed with the victory over Michigan, the Trojans are establishing themselves within the high third of the convention.
Getting into the season, this system was on a downward spiral. Now, the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel might be seen.
There’s nonetheless a method to go and Northwestern can’t be missed. However USC finds itself in a great place.
5. Washington (3-2, 6-2) ▼1
The AP voters have lastly caught on.
About one-third of them are incompetent and don’t deserve their voting rights. Nevertheless it’s good that Washington has lastly garnered some respect.
Getting into the week at No. 24, the Dawgs can’t lose to Wisconsin. It’s a bellwether sport that can present the place UW actually stands within the Massive Ten.
Beat the Badgers, and you’ll think about your self among the many higher echelon. However lose, and the mountain left to climb can be made clear.
6. Arizona State (4-2, 6-3) ◄►
That’s a tradition win.
Jeff Sims may have transferred out to a program the place his probabilities of beginning had been greater. However the senior selected to remain regardless of Sam Leavitt having the beginning function locked down.
Then, on a chilly and wet day in Ames, Iowa, Sims units this system document for yards speeding by a quarterback and leads ASU to its second-straight win over Iowa State.
The result’s emblematic of Kenny Dillingham’s program. It is likely one of the most spectacular victories of his tenure in Tempe.
7. San Diego State (4-0, 7-1) ◄►
I mentioned it as soon as, and I’ll say it once more: San Diego State is the Mountain West’s greatest probability of creating the Playoff.
Nonetheless flying beneath the nationwide radar, Sean Lewis’s group did it once more. The 24 to 7 victory over Wyoming marked the sixth time this season that the Aztecs have held their opponent to 10 factors or much less.
Now at 4-0 within the MWC, SDSU is the favourite to win the league. However the schedule looms giant.
Dealing with Hawaii on the street this week, then Boise State, San Jose State, and New Mexico, Lewis has his work reduce out for him.
8. Arizona (2-3, 5-3) ▲2
The 52 to 17 victory in Boulder possible ensures that Brent Brennan would be the coach at Arizona subsequent season. It was a job-saving efficiency that was a very long time coming.
The Wildcats have been very shut this season and are only a few performs away from being 7-1.
The domination of Colorado emphasised the place UA stands. However a group is barely pretty much as good as its most up-to-date outcome.
If Brennan loses to Kansas on homecoming this weekend, the criticism and requires change will start once more.
9. Fresno State (3-2, 6-3) ▲NR
The Bulldogs dominated Boise State on the blue turf. It was one of the vital surprising ends in the Mountain West this season.
The margin of victory re-energizes the hype across the program. Staying constant is the brand new activity.
Fresno State performs Wyoming, Utah State, and San Jose State to complete the yr.
If the Bulldogs play to their potential, they need to win out and probably be in place to make the Mountain West Championship Sport.
10. Boise State (4-1, 6-3) ▼2
Tright here’s some soul-searching that must be carried out in Boise.
Changing Ashton Jeanty was all the time going to be a battle. However the margin of defeat within the losses this yr are regarding.
If getting blown out by South Florida was the get up name, then getting dealt with by Fresno State was the nightmare. And the Broncos are nonetheless asleep.
This week’s bye got here at time. How the group finishes the yr is essential. It’s time to get up.
Dropped Out: UNLV
Miller covers Faculty Basketball and Faculty Soccer in addition to System 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
