Oregon did its job, BYU responded with a clear win, Utah blew out another team, and USC posted a critical result for the trajectory of the Trojans’ program.
At the same time, both Arizona schools got W’s while San Diego State emphasized its status in the Mountain West.
The results sent me back to lab to figure out how they all stack up.
Here’s how I view the Top 10 Teams in the West heading into Week 13.
1. Oregon (6-1, 9-1) ◄►
The Ducks further boosted their Playoff resume with a resounding win over Minnesota.The quality of the opponent might not have been the strongest, but the margin of victory is what the Playoff Committee respects.
Combined with Alabama’s loss, Oregon should move up a seed in the next rankings.
Even so, this week’s matchup against USC is essentially a Playoff game. Lose, and Dan Lanning’s team might drop out of the bracket.
2. BYU (6-1, 9-1) ◄►
That’s the type of response we all needed to see. The blowout win over a reasonably talented TCU team was a positive sign for the rest of the year.With Texas losing and BYU’s dominating performance, the Cougars’ chances of making the Playoff increased. But the only ranking that matters is the one on Selection Sunday.
Heading to Cincinnati this week, there’s no point in doing any victory laps.
It’s back to business in Provo.
3. Utah (5-2, 8-2) ◄►
The Utes just keep winning big. The margins of victory are what the Committee needs to keep Utah in the conversation.Likely moving up to the 12-seed, Kyle Whittingham’s team remains focused on the controllables. The only path the Playoff is to win out. So why bother focusing on anything else?
Facing Kansas State and Kansas to close the year, there’s the added bonus of running the score up on traditional Big 12 teams.
It’s a good time to be a Ute fan.
4. USC (6-1, 8-2) ◄►
Beating Iowa in adverse conditions establishes USC in the pecking order of the Big Ten. It underlines the program’s status and acts as a foundational win moving forward.Winning those types of games on the road is the next step. But the Trojans are beginning to find their way in the new era.
Now, a shot at the Playoff is on the line against an old rival. The USC administration ran from the Pac-12 to escape the Ducks. However, the television executives had other plans, and now we get this colossal showdown.
The matchup presents an opportunity to change perceptions in the new Big Ten.
5. Arizona State (5-2, 7-3) ◄►
A two-point win over West Virginia is not exactly inspiring at this point in the season.The Mountaineers are better than their record indicates, and they have an impressive road win over Houston. But it shouldn’t have taken a comeback drive late in the fourth quarter to beat WVU.
Arizona State’s five conference wins have all been one-possession games with an average margin of victory of 3.4 points.
Still, wins are wins and ASU’s victories are over respectable teams in the Big 12.
6. Arizona (4-3, 7-3) ▲1
Pinned on the one-yard line and down against a ranked Cincinnati team on the road, Noah Fifita led Arizona on a 99-yard touchdown drive to take the lead.Then in the fourth quarter, the redshirt junior threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to true freshman Gio Richardson, setting the program’s all-time record for career passing touchdowns.
It was a legendary moment for a legendary player. Fifita could have followed Jedd Fisch to Washington or jumped ship after Arizona’s awful season last year. Instead, he stayed to become one of the greatest players in program history.
Now at 7-3, the Wildcats know they can beat anyone left on their schedule.
7. Washington (4-3, 7-3) ▼1
Down several players due to injury, Washington made a statement against Purdue.The blowout win underscores the home-field advantage the Huskies have in Seattle. But the elephant in the room remains.
Under Jedd Fisch, UW is 2-9 in games outside of Husky Stadium. The program will remain below the upper echelon of the Big Ten until the road woes are fixed.
Facing a weak UCLA team in Pasadena this week, the Huskies need a dominating performance.
8. San Diego State (5-1, 8-2) ◄►
Battling through the rain, the Aztecs proved their status as the top dog in the Mountain West.The 10-point home win over Boise State clears the path to the MWC Championship Game. Facing lowly San Jose State this week at Snapdragon Stadium, a win will go far in locking themselves in.
But there is a five-way tie for second place, and a loss in the last week of the season to New Mexico could invoke a complicated tie-breaker scenario.
Win out, and none of that will come into play.
9. California (3-3, 6-4) ◄►
Coming off a bye week at 6-4, California is in a reasonable spot.There have been some disappointing results this season, no doubt. But some of those defeats could be forgotten with a clear victory over Stanford this Saturday.
The early line out of Vegas indicates a close game is expected. Yet, Cal has won the last four games in the series and five out of the last six.
If the Bears win on Saturday, it would be the most consecutive Cal victories in the rivalry since a stretch between 2002 and 2006.
10. UNLV (4-2, 8-2) ▲NR
There’s currently a five-way tie for second place in the Mountain West standings. UNLV, Fresno State, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Boise State are all 4-2 in league games.On Saturday, the Rebels escaped with a double overtime win over Utah State, securing their sixth single-possession victory of the season.
Dan Mullen’s team might barely be winning, yet their resume can’t be ignored.
The two defeats on the season, to Boise State and New Mexico, can reasonably be described as “quality losses.”
Dropped Out: Fresno State
