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By Nick Bartlett, SuperWest Sports activities
It was a fairly good week for the 4 groups from the West within the Pac-12 and ACC.
Cal and Stanford rebounded with wins over Boston Faculty and San Jose State, respectively, whereas Washington State did the identical towards Colorado State.
Oregon State was not as lucky, dropping to Houston in the previous few minutes regardless of enjoying properly.
Right here’s my tackle all 4 groups heading into Week 6.
Comeback victory retains California in thick of ACC title hunt
Cal got here near a program-defining loss final week, however snuck away with a victory towards Boston Faculty on the final second.
Luke Ferrelli made a game-saving choose on the five-yard line, with the Eagles driving for the game-winning landing.
It was manner too shut for consolation, however nonetheless a victory to begin ACC play.
The Golden Bears want Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to proceed to be the person going ahead. He has offered a spark to a Cal program that felt lifeless just a few months in the past.
They’ll additionally want Kendrick Raphael to play extra persistently. Raphael has rushed for lower than 50 yards thrice, but additionally has two 100-yard-plus outings.
Trond Grizzell might want to proceed to carry out because the schedule will get harder.
The Bears had each cause to fold after their loss to San Diego State, however they’ve stored their season viable. Cal’s subsequent three matchups ought to all show winnable, however who actually is aware of?
The underside line is that they nonetheless have an opportunity to win the ACC.
With enchancment on protection, Stanford may shock some groups
Stanford bought a pleasant victory towards San Jose State final week, making a 12-point comeback towards the Spartans within the Invoice Walsh Legacy Sport.
Ben Gulbranson put the Tree on his shoulders and willed the staff to victory.
If the switch QB can play like this shifting into the ACC slate, Stanford may shock some groups. His passing yards have gone up in every of the primary 5 video games.
The Cardinal are 1-1 within the ACC, and this appears like a well-timed bye.
Stanford bought a feel-good victory, nevertheless it must play higher. The Tree’s move protection ranks 132nd nationally, permitting 315 yards per recreation, and final week, they continued this development, with SJSU throwing for 473 yards.
They should handle this in the course of the off-week, as SMU has the Twenty seventh-best move offense within the nation. Stanford travels to Dallas subsequent after which hosts Florida State.
If the Cardinal break up these video games it’d be paramount earlier than they journey to Miami.
Win over Colorado State might be first step towards potential bowl bid
Washington State had an enormous win towards Colorado State on Saturday. For the Cougars, this win was most likely rather a lot larger than most understand.
WSU now sits at a 3-2 with no horrible losses. The rating of North Texas was terrible, however dropping on the highway to an undefeated staff isn’t unhealthy. It appears like WSU’s beginning to get an id beneath Jimmy Rogers.
The protection struggled towards North Texas and Washington, however has confirmed constant towards lesser competitors. They’ve solely allowed 23 factors of their three victories.
The Cougs have additionally discovered their operating recreation for the primary time this season, and rank 132nd nationally in speeding yards per recreation. They’ll want manufacturing on the bottom in the event that they wish to compete within the weeks forward.
Ever since Zevi Eckhaus took over because the beginning quarterback, WSU has felt completely different. Even within the Apple Cup, he offered a raise.
Washington State has a bye this week earlier than back-to-back troublesome highway journeys towards Ole Miss and Virginia. If the Cougars may get a break up, they’d be in a stable spot for a bowl recreation.
The Beavers are in a troublesome spot, however the highway forward will get simpler
Oregon State is in a more durable spot than they have been per week in the past.
It felt like they outplayed Houston, however got here away with one other loss ultimately. If the Beavers nonetheless had any hopes of creating a bowl recreation, this narrowed them significantly.
The nice factor for OSU is their schedule will get rather a lot simpler. They journey to Boone to face App State, after which host Wake Forest the next week.
If the Beavs performed the identical manner they did towards UH, they may win each of those matchups. And it’d give them life for a tender again finish to their schedule.
Maalik Murphy must play higher, however he additionally has a small damage—one thing to look out for. Anthony Hankerson has been as marketed, but when Cornell Hatcher Jr. can present manufacturing, they may have a pleasant one-two punch.
Trent Walker continues to do his factor.
Two robust losses towards Fresno State and Houston, has Oregon State’s document wanting worse than it truly is. They simply gotta discover a technique to win the subsequent two, their schedule will get simpler by the day.
Writes about soccer and basketball as a Senior Author and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Present” for SuperWest Sports activities.
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