By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
The race for the Playoff is in full swing after Oregon beat Iowa on the highway and BYU misplaced its first recreation of the season.
USC stayed within the image, too, with a convincing win over Northwestern in L.A.
On the identical time, the Mountain West’s probabilities took a dive after San Diego State misplaced on the highway to Hawaii.
The outcomes despatched me again to the drafting board to re-rack the squads.
Right here’s how I view the Prime 10 Groups within the West heading into Week 12.
1. Oregon (5-1, 8-1) ◄►
The win at Iowa was crucial for Oregon’s at-large Playoff hopes.
The Committee wasn’t satisfied by UO’s resume, and a loss would have put the Geese in an uneasy spot.
Getting that victory ought to pay dividends on this week’s rankings. And from the larger image, the highway win reveals that Oregon can win conventional Large Ten soccer video games in hostile situations.
If there have been any doubts concerning the Geese’ standing within the league, it was answered on Saturday night time.
2. BYU (5-1, 8-1) ◄►
The Cougars struggled towards Texas Tech. In some ways, BYU regarded outclassed.
It’s fully doable that Texas Tech is simply that good. However the margin of defeat and the attention take a look at had been jarring. How the Committee views the loss will probably be illuminating.
Even so, the remaining schedule is comparatively favorable. If the Cougars win out and attain the Large 12 Championship, that needs to be adequate to get in.
The trail could possibly be tougher, although, relying on how far BYU drops on this Tuesday’s rankings.
3. Utah (4-2, 7-2) ◄►
Coming off a bye week at 7-2, Utah is in a powerful place.
The Committee in all probability gained’t transfer the Utes up within the rankings and would possibly even drop them a spot, relying on the place they put BYU.
However with three winnable video games to shut the 12 months, Utah’s Playoff likelihood is very a lot alive.
Each contest from right here on out is a de facto elimination recreation, and margins of victory could possibly be crucial.
4. USC (5-1, 7-2) ◄►
The three-touchdown win over Northwestern was an applicable margin of victory.
However coming in at No. 19 within the preliminary CFP Rankings, USC is on the skin trying in. Happily, the ACC is destroying itself, and the Trojans ought to soar up a number of spots.
Nonetheless, it’s unclear if Lincoln Riley’s group has reputable at-large probabilities or if they have to get to the Large Ten Championship Sport to safe a bid.
The Large Ten may be capped at three complete bids, placing USC in a struggle with Oregon to succeed in the Playoff.
5. Arizona State (4-2, 6-3) ▲1
Arizona State’s win at Iowa State appears even higher after the Cyclones beat TCU on their house discipline.
At 6-3, with video games left towards West Virginia, Colorado, and Arizona, it’s in all probability truthful to count on ASU to win out.
However even when that occurs, there’ll have to be chaos in the remainder of the Large 12 to ensure that the Solar Devils to succeed in the league’s championship recreation.
And with Sam Leavitt out for the 12 months, the ceiling on the season is turning into clear.
6. Washington (3-3, 6-3) ▼1
Is Jedd Fisch leaving on the finish of the 12 months? It’s a good query after studies have indicated that his household doesn’t like Seattle.
Plus, his title retains popping up in varied job openings, including additional proof of his need to maneuver on.
Placing the longer term apart, Washington misplaced all its momentum within the defeat to Wisconsin. Now out of the Prime 25, it’s unclear the place UW goes from right here.
On the very least, the Dawgs ought to beat Purdue and UCLA earlier than the finale towards Oregon.
7. Arizona (3-3, 6-3) ▲1
Arizona is bowl-eligible after its fourth-quarter comeback towards Kansas.
Credit score Brent Brennan for making the required teaching adjustments after final season and mining the portal nicely. Some coaches are too cussed to confess their failures and as an alternative double down on their selections.
Brennan’s flexibility and willingness to make adjustments present that he may need endurance in Tucson.
There are nonetheless areas to enhance on. However the Wildcats are trending in the best course.
8. San Diego State (4-1, 7-2) ▼1
Welp, there go the Playoff probabilities.
Now with two losses on the season by a mixed margin of 55 factors, San Diego State is unlikely to be one of many 5 highest-rated convention champions on the finish of the 12 months.
Even when SDSU wins out, the Playoff Committee gained’t ignore the margins of defeat and would in all probability give the sting to the champion of the American Convention or James Madison.
The hope is just not utterly destroyed, although, and will develop if the Aztecs beat Boise State this week.
9. California (3-3, 6-4) ▲NR
Justin Wilcox may need simply saved his job. Once more.
Everybody likes to say, “Cal goes to Cal” when the Bears inevitably lose a recreation they’re presupposed to win.
However that very same expression needs to be repeated when the Bears put up their seemingly annual upset to provide the fanbase simply sufficient hope to maintain them coming again.
And the win on the highway over a ranked Louisville group offered precisely that: Hope.
10. Fresno State (3-2, 6-3) ▼1
With a bye week to internalize the domination of Boise State, the Bulldogs are set to complete the 12 months sturdy.
The three-game stretch to complete the 12 months is a take a look at of consistency.
Which group reveals up? The one which beat Hawaii and Boise State on the highway, or the one which was blown out by Colorado State and San Diego State?
It’s been an up and down 12 months, but Fresno State holds key tiebreakers towards the Broncos and Warriors.
Dropped Out: Boise State
Miller covers School Basketball and School Soccer in addition to System 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
