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By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
A season can change in a single weekend.
Simply ask Arizona State.
The Solar Devils had been uncovered in Starkville, altering the trajectory of their season.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, Oregon dominated Oklahoma State on nationwide tv and is now producing nationwide championship buzz.
In the identical vein, Boise State’s 12 months was partially resurrected due to South Florida beating Florida in a stunner.
Right here’s how I view the High 10 Groups within the West heading into Week Three.
1. Oregon (0-0, 2-0) ◄►
Dan Lanning could be the perfect coach in faculty soccer.
His Geese humiliated Oklahoma State on the nationwide stage, and so they did it in fashion. The 69-3 beatdown despatched a message to the remainder of the nation.
Oregon is for actual. Dante Moore runs Will Stein’s offense effectively, and the protection is elite.
There’s loads to love about what’s occurring in Eugene this 12 months.
2. Utah (0-0, 2-0) ◄►
The Utes crushed Cal Poly the way in which elite groups deal with FCS opponents.
The margin of victory is what the remainder of the nation wanted to see. As a result of, bluntly, no person tuned in to ESPN+ to look at the blowout.
Within the greater image, UCLA dropping to UNLV takes away among the shine from the win in Week One.
However crushing Wyoming this week would additional bolster Utah’s picture because it heads right into a essential matchup with Texas Tech in Week 4.
3. USC (0-0, 2-0) ▲1
The jury remains to be out on USC. Beating up on Group of 5 opponents doesn’t do a lot to vary perceptions.
Matt Leinart can attempt to hype up Jayden Maiava all he desires. The remainder of us aren’t satisfied. No less than not but.
How the workforce appears in opposition to Purdue shall be extra indicative of this 12 months’s ceiling.
The Trojans ought to crush the Boilermakers and any trace of wrestle would create doubt.
4. BYU (0-0, 2-0) ▲1
BYU handed its first check of the season.
Holding an ACC opponent to only three factors and protecting the unfold is what we would have liked to see.
Bear Bachmeier’s numbers weren’t precisely nice. And Stanford shouldn’t be soccer workforce. However the win was a optimistic outcome that gives one thing to construct on.
The Cougars’ protection has but to permit a landing and is the clear power of the workforce.
5. Washington (0-0, 2-0) ▲1
Jonah Coleman scored 5 touchdowns in a convincing win over FCS UC Davis.
The 70 factors scored had been probably the most Washington had put up in a sport since dropping 70 on Oregon in 2016. That’s an incredible signal for the remainder of the season.
Coleman is likely one of the prime operating backs within the nation and Demond Williams Jr’s menace to run is a game-changer.
Be careful for UW this 12 months.
6. UNLV (0-0, 3-0) ▲2
The Rebels are 3-0 after securing a essential win over UCLA.
The victory over the Large Ten college gives the required clout to compete for a spot within the Playoff.
With all of the expertise misplaced from final 12 months’s workforce and the overhaul within the teaching employees, it was truthful to query UNLV heading into the 12 months. These questions have been answered.
However it might probably all be thrown away if the Rebels stumble in opposition to Miami of Ohio after this week’s bye.
7. California (0-0, 2-0) ◄►
It was weekend for the Bears. The workforce crushed Texas Southern, and Stanford acquired beat up by BYU.
That’s a win/win for everybody carrying blue and gold.
This week’s matchup in opposition to Minnesota is a giant second. A victory over the Gophers in Berkeley could be famous across the nation.
It’s time to point out out, Cal followers.
8. Arizona State (0-0, 1-1) ▼5
Nobody is admittedly shocked that Arizona State misplaced on the street to Mississippi State.
The workforce was so reliant on Cam Skattebo final 12 months. With out him round, the Solar Devils look common at greatest.
Kenny Dillingham nonetheless must show himself as a coach, and the fanbase wants to return again right down to actuality.
That’s simply the way it goes while you lose a generational expertise.
9. Boise State (0-0, 1-1) ◄►
It’s by no means preferrred to have your destiny tied to the efficiency of one other college. However South Florida’s victory over Florida modifications the notion of the loss within the opener.
The margin of defeat will at all times be troublesome to beat.
But, the sticker shock of the loss is gone. It’s an extended season, and the Playoff remains to be inside attain.
Beating up on each opponent from right here on out will assist increase the resume.
10. Fresno State (0-0, 2-1) ▲NR
Going into Corvallis and leaving with a win modifications the trajectory of the season. That’s not a simple stadium to win at and the victory garners respect regionally.
Fresno State has a powerful, multi-faceted run sport. Quarterback E.J. Warner retains defenses sincere and the duo of Bryson Donelson and Rayshon Luke is a robust one-two punch.
The Mountain West is large open this 12 months.
Why not Fresno State?
Miller covers Faculty Basketball and Faculty Soccer in addition to Method 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
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