By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
All the highest groups within the West saved tempo within the Playoff race.
Oregon did its job, BYU responded with a transparent win, Utah blew out one other group, and USC posted a vital end result for the trajectory of the Trojans’ program.
On the similar time, each Arizona faculties obtained W’s whereas San Diego State emphasised its standing within the Mountain West.
The outcomes despatched me again to lab to determine how all of them stack up.
Right here’s how I view the Prime 10 Groups within the West heading into Week 13.
1. Oregon (6-1, 9-1) ◄►
The Geese additional boosted their Playoff resume with a convincing win over Minnesota.
The standard of the opponent may not have been the strongest, however the margin of victory is what the Playoff Committee respects.
Mixed with Alabama’s loss, Oregon ought to transfer up a seed within the subsequent rankings.
Even so, this week’s matchup in opposition to USC is basically a Playoff sport. Lose, and Dan Lanning’s group would possibly drop out of the bracket.
2. BYU (6-1, 9-1) ◄►
That’s the kind of response all of us wanted to see. The blowout win over a fairly gifted TCU group was a optimistic signal for the remainder of the yr.
With Texas shedding and BYU’s dominating efficiency, the Cougars’ possibilities of making the Playoff elevated. However the one rating that issues is the one on Choice Sunday.
Heading to Cincinnati this week, there’s no level in doing any victory laps.
It’s again to enterprise in Provo.
3. Utah (5-2, 8-2) ◄►
The Utes simply maintain successful massive. The margins of victory are what the Committee must maintain Utah within the dialog.
Seemingly transferring as much as the 12-seed, Kyle Whittingham’s group stays centered on the controllables. The one path the Playoff is to win out. So why trouble specializing in anything?
Going through Kansas State and Kansas to shut the yr, there’s the added bonus of working the rating up on conventional Massive 12 groups.
It’s time to be a Ute fan.
4. USC (6-1, 8-2) ◄►
Bconsuming Iowa in hostile circumstances establishes USC within the pecking order of the Massive Ten. It underlines this system’s standing and acts as a foundational win transferring ahead.
Profitable these varieties of video games on the highway is the subsequent step. However the Trojans are starting to seek out their manner within the new period.
Now, a shot on the Playoff is on the road in opposition to an previous rival. The USC administration ran from the Pac-12 to flee the Geese. Nevertheless, the tv executives had different plans, and now we get this colossal showdown.
The matchup presents a possibility to vary perceptions within the new Massive Ten.
5. Arizona State (5-2, 7-3) ◄►
A two-point win over West Virginia is just not precisely inspiring at this level within the season.
The Mountaineers are higher than their report signifies, they usually have a formidable highway win over Houston. But it surely shouldn’t have taken a comeback drive late within the fourth quarter to beat WVU.
Arizona State’s 5 convention wins have all been one-possession video games with a mean margin of victory of three.4 factors.
Nonetheless, wins are wins and ASU’s victories are over respectable groups within the Massive 12.
6. Arizona (4-3, 7-3) ▲1
Pinned on the one-yard line and down in opposition to a ranked Cincinnati group on the highway, Noah Fifita led Arizona on a 99-yard landing drive to take the lead.
Then within the fourth quarter, the redshirt junior threw a 15-yard landing cross to true freshman Gio Richardson, setting this system’s all-time report for profession passing touchdowns.
It was a legendary second for a legendary participant. Fifita may have adopted Jedd Fisch to Washington or jumped ship after Arizona’s terrible season final yr. As a substitute, he stayed to turn out to be one of many biggest gamers in program historical past.
Now at 7-3, the Wildcats know they’ll beat anybody left on their schedule.
7. Washington (4-3, 7-3) ▼1
Dpersonal a number of gamers on account of harm, Washington made a press release in opposition to Purdue.
The blowout win underscores the home-field benefit the Huskies have in Seattle. However the elephant within the room stays.
Below Jedd Fisch, UW is 2-9 in video games exterior of Husky Stadium. This system will stay under the higher echelon of the Massive Ten till the highway woes are fastened.
Going through a weak UCLA group in Pasadena this week, the Huskies want a dominating efficiency.
8. San Diego State (5-1, 8-2) ◄►
Battling by way of the rain, the Aztecs proved their standing as the highest canine within the Mountain West.
The ten-point residence win over Boise State clears the trail to the MWC Championship Sport. Going through lowly San Jose State this week at Snapdragon Stadium, a win will go far in locking themselves in.
However there’s a five-way tie for second place, and a loss within the final week of the season to New Mexico may invoke a sophisticated tie-breaker state of affairs.
Win out, and none of that may come into play.
9. California (3-3, 6-4) ◄►
Coming off a bye week at 6-4, California is in an inexpensive spot.
There have been some disappointing outcomes this season, little doubt. However a few of these defeats could possibly be forgotten with a transparent victory over Stanford this Saturday.
The early line out of Vegas signifies an in depth sport is anticipated. But, Cal has gained the final 4 video games within the collection and 5 out of the final six.
If the Bears win on Saturday, it could be probably the most consecutive Cal victories within the rivalry since a stretch between 2002 and 2006.
10. UNLV (4-2, 8-2) ▲NR
Tright here’s presently a five-way tie for second place within the Mountain West standings. UNLV, Fresno State, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Boise State are all 4-2 in league video games.
On Saturday, the Rebels escaped with a double additional time win over Utah State, securing their sixth single-possession victory of the season.
Dan Mullen’s group would possibly barely be successful, but their resume can’t be ignored.
The 2 defeats on the season, to Boise State and New Mexico, can moderately be described as “high quality losses.”
Dropped Out: Fresno 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.
