By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
BYU, Washington, and San Diego State had spectacular video games over the weekend.
Utah’s beatdown of Colorado was actually noteworthy, as nicely.
On the identical time, Oregon didn’t play in addition to anticipated, and Arizona State unofficially dropped out of the Massive 12 title race with a loss to Houston.
The outcomes additional formed the narrative as the ultimate month of the common season is about to start.
Right here’s how I view the Prime 10 Groups within the West heading into Week 10.
1. Oregon (4-1, 7-1) ◄►
Another recreation, one other consequence the place the Geese fail to satisfy expectations.
Was it the rain that created the shut ultimate rating? Or was it one thing extra basic?
There are too many questions surrounding Dan Lanning’s group at this level within the season. What number of instances has Oregon did not cowl this yr? What’s the Duck’s greatest win?
Go have a look at their schedule and inform me your self. As a result of I’m not seeing it. That’s not a superb signal at this level within the yr.
2. BYU (5-0, 8-0) ◄►
Maybe BYU is a group of future. Or maybe the Cougars are so nicely coached that they drive errors and benefit from them. Who is aware of? It’d even be a mixture of each.
No matter it’s, Kalani Sitake’s group is elite. At this level, BYU has a case to eclipse Oregon because the No. 1 group within the West. However it’s nonetheless a game-by-game method, and the schedule to complete the yr is hard.
After this week’s bye, the Cougars play at Texas Tech, TCU, at Cincinnati, and UCF. There’s no time to relaxation on laurels.
If BYU will get to the Playoff, they’ll have completely earned it.
3. Utah (3-2, 6-2) ◄►
Message delivered. That was a powerful exhibiting towards Colorado.
However within the grand scheme of all of it, the historic domination is comparatively meaningless. You beat up on a foul CU group. So what? The Utes have crushed the groups they have been alleged to and stumbled towards the highest tier of the Massive 12.
Nonetheless, the consequence supplies loads of optimism heading into this week’s recreation towards Cincinnati. In truth, I’ll go as far as to say it: Kyle Whittingham and the Utes will beat the Bearcats Saturday night time at Rice-Eccles.
You heard it right here first.
4. Washington (3-2, 6-2) ▲2
Washington has arrived. The victory over then-No. 23 Illinois might have lastly captured the nation’s consideration, if not the acknowledgement of AP voters.
The protection stays ok to win video games, and the offense is elite. Demond Williams Jr. is among the high quarterbacks within the nation, and Husky Stadium is rising as a reputable home-field benefit within the Massive Ten.
The bye week comes at a perfect time, permitting Jedd Fisch additional preparation for Wisconsin.
The Dawgs can’t lose to the Badgers, or all of the momentum will vanish.
5. USC (3-1, 5-2) ◄►
The Trojans had a bye week to maneuver on from their loss to Notre Dame. With solely two defeats this season, USC is in an affordable place.
However the one acceptable final result for the rest of the yr is to complete no worse than 4-1.
Nebraska, Northwestern, Iowa, and UCLA are all “must-wins.” If Lincoln Riley falls quick in any of these matchups, it’s an issue.
In an ideal state of affairs, USC is 8-2 with its Playoff hopes on the road at Oregon on November 22.
6. Arizona State (3-2, 5-3) ▼2
How lengthy is Jordyn Tyson going to be out? What number of video games is Sam Leavitt going to overlook?
These are two defining questions on the most important juncture of Arizona State’s season.
The group can’t win with out them. From getting blown out by Utah to dropping to unranked Houston at house, the Solar Devils aren’t the identical group with out their stars.
And whereas the trail to the Massive 12 Championship Sport technically nonetheless exists, it’s extremely unlikely that ASU will get to Arlington.
7. San Diego State (3-0, 6-1) ▲1
The Aztecs are arguably the Mountain West’s greatest shot at making the Playoff.
The trail to the Promised Land widened after South Florida misplaced to Memphis over the weekend. The American Convention most likely nonetheless holds the sting, but when San Diego State have been to win out, the notion would possibly change.
Certain, Boise State is the largest model within the MWC and has pull with the Choice Committee. But, the outcomes on the sphere matter.
And Sean Lewis’s group has been posting spectacular consequence after spectacular consequence.
8. Boise State (4-0, 6-2) ▼1
That wasn’t precisely what we have to see at this level within the season.
A highway win is a highway win. However Boise State didn’t look overly spectacular towards lowly Nevada. The turnovers compelled have been the deciding issue within the recreation.
Not a powerful offensive efficiency or a transparent go of the eye-test. It was the turnovers compelled. In opposition to Nevada. It’s just one recreation, and to be truthful, the Wolf Pack are a lot better than their report.
Nonetheless, we have to see extra out of the Broncos.
9. UNLV (2-1, 6-1) ◄►
Realistically, UNLV ought to win out and attain the Mountain West Championship Sport.
The one highway video games left on the schedule are at Colorado State and at Nevada. The house recreation towards New Mexico this week after which Hawaii on November 21 are high quality checks, however winnable.
The Rebels mustn’t lose one other common season recreation this yr. Whether or not that involves fruition is anybody’s guess.
Dan Mullen’s group has escaped with quite a few wins this season and was blown out by the one good group they’ve performed.
10. Arizona (1-3, 4-3) ▲NR
Arizona has the definition of “high quality losses.” The Wildcats have dropped video games to BYU, Houston, and Iowa State, a bunch of groups with a mixed report of 20-4.
Two of the three defeats have been by a single-possession, one in double-overtime and the opposite on a discipline objective as time expired.
The Cats aren’t that far off. Coming off a bye, this week’s recreation at Colorado is a “must-win.”
Brent Brennan is likely to be teaching to maintain his job.
Dropped Out: Cal
Miller covers Faculty Basketball and Faculty Soccer in addition to Components 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
