By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
Utah and Boise State have been the story of the tape in Week One.
The Utes embarrassed UCLA on their dwelling subject whereas the Broncos have been blown out by South Florida. The 2 outcomes have been key for his or her respective conferences.
In the remainder of the area, Oregon dominated as anticipated, California cruised previous Oregon State, and Washington struggled with Colorado State.
What does all of it imply? Effectively, solely time will inform.
However I went again to the drafting board and re-ranked the groups from the West. Right here’s how I stack them up heading into Week Two.
1. Oregon (0-0, 1-0) ◄►
Expectations have been met within the opener towards Montana State.
However the sport is meaningless within the huge image.
This weekend’s matchup with Oklahoma State is rather more related. The Cowboys went 0-9 within the Massive 12 final season and arguably have a worse roster this 12 months.
If Oregon doesn’t throttle OK State, it’s honest to boost some questions.
2. Utah (0-0, 1-0) ▲2
They are again. Love them or hate them, Utah made a press release with a crushing victory over UCLA in Pasadena.
The result’s simply the Massive 12’s finest win of the season.
There was a motive why this system acquired a lot hype over the offseason. Devon Dampier is a distinction maker and he thrives inside Jason Beck’s system.
There’s a brand new high canine on the town. And it’s the Utah Utes.
3. Arizona State (0-0, 1-0) ▼1
It’s honest to say expectations weren’t met within the opener towards Northern Arizona.
Nevertheless it was the primary sport of the 12 months, and maybe a exhibiting like that’s to be anticipated.
The principle challenge going through Arizona State over the offseason was changing Cameron Skattebo. The workforce posted 203 yards dashing and 1 / 4 of that manufacturing got here on a single run from quarterback Sam Leavitt.
The Solar Devils have to get extra out of their floor sport shifting ahead.
4. USC (0-0, 1-0) ▲1
Lincoln Riley and the Trojans dominated Missouri State on the Coliseum.
The outcome towards the FCS opponent has optimistic sticker-shock worth.
However the end result is essentially irrelevant, and the workforce should shortly transfer on. No person actually cares when a Energy Convention workforce blows out an FCS program.
After the previous couple of seasons, USC should “show it” to regain relevancy on a nationwide stage. The advantage of the doubt is gone.
5. BYU (0-0, 1-0) ▲1
Don’t learn something into the ultimate rating towards Portland State.
That’s really an terrible soccer workforce BYU performed, and it’s unwise to place any inventory into the efficiency.
The sport towards Stanford this week is the de facto first sport of the season. The Cardinal should not an excellent workforce, both, however they’re much higher than the Vikings.
How the Cougars carry out towards the Tree shall be extra indicative of this 12 months’s ceiling.
6. Washington (0-0, 1-0) ▲1
It’s not an excellent signal that Washington was in a battle with Colorado State.
The expectations across the program are elevated, and the comparatively shut sport with the Rams is questionable. The sport was tied at halftime.
However CSU is among the higher groups within the Mountain West and the UW workers learns nothing after they play cupcakes.
Because the saying goes, “A win is a win.”
7. California (0-0, 1-0) ▲NR
Watch out, California has a quarterback.
It’s fully doable that Oregon State is only a unhealthy soccer workforce. However the outcomes from Week One present optimism, to say the least.
Securing a highway win towards a Pac-12 opponent whereas beginning a real freshman is critical. A bowl sport now looks as if the naked minimal.
If Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele performs like that each week, Cal might develop into a risk within the ACC.
8. UNLV (0-0, 1-0) ▲NR
It’s nonetheless early within the season, however UNLV is within the driver’s seat within the Mountain West.
Boise State, San Jose State, Colorado State, and Fresno State have all misplaced video games. That leaves the Rebels because the chief of the MWC.
The workforce’s success final 12 months and their splash hiring of Dan Mullen present the required clout on a nationwide stage.
So long as UNLV retains profitable, it’ll stay within the Playoff dialogue.
9. Boise State (0-0, 0-1) ▼6
A catastrophe. That’s the one method to describe Boise State’s efficiency within the opener.
One sport by no means defines the 12 months, and positively not the lead to Week One. Nevertheless it knocks this system down a notch within the perceived pecking order.
The outcome broken the repute of the complete Mountain West.
Irrespective of which workforce wins the MWC, the 34-7 defeat to South Florida shall be used towards the league within the Playoff debate.
10. Arizona (0-0, 1-0) ▲NR
Arizona’s margin of victory towards Hawaii was noteworthy.
Offensive coordinator Seth Doege’s scheme is more practical than what the Cats ran final season. The protection pressured 5 turnovers and performed with a stage of physicality that was absent in 2024.
It’s just one sport and the Rainbow Warriors most likely aren’t an excellent workforce.
However there’s some momentum constructing in Tucson.
Dropped Out: UCLA, Oregon State, San Jose State
Miller covers Faculty Basketball and Faculty Soccer in addition to Formulation 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
