USC’s loss on the road to Oregon is not that damaging, especially in the context of Arizona State taking all the way until the fourth quarter to pull away from Colorado.
Arizona is trending up and the margin of victory over Baylor was impressive, but still not enough to jump ASU’s resume of wins.
The primary action is at the bottom of the list with all the chaos in the Mountain West.
New Mexico has an argument for that 10th spot and even has a win over UNLV. But UNM’s loss to San Jose State was a major factor in keeping them at the unseen No. 11.
Here’s how I view the Top 10 Teams in the West heading into the final week of the regular season.
1. Oregon (7-1, 10-1) ◄►
Beating USC was one of the last hurdles in the Playoff race. Oregon’s resume was shaky, but it received a boost as a result of the win.Now, all that’s left is the final test against Washington.
The Ducks are still not out of the woods, though. A loss to the Huskies would put them in an uncomfortable position on Selection Sunday, thanks to the collapse of some early opponents.
When the 2025 schedule was set, not many viewed Oklahoma State, Oregon State, and Penn State as a cream-puff slate, but every season brings surprises.
2. BYU (7-1, 10-1) ◄►
The Cougars deserve to be in the Playoff field. The sole explanation for being left out is a Power 2 bias.The television executives only care about the ratings and will exert all the influence they have to attract the casual NFL fans. That means they want the big-name SEC schools and Notre Dame.
It’s not a postseason designed to invite the most deserving teams. It’s designed to make the most money possible. Blame Disney and ESPN for propagandizing their content.
The Big 12’s auto-bid might be the only path to the Playoff available.
3. Utah (6-2, 9-2) ◄►
Survive and advance. That’s what Utah did on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium.But in an era where style points matter, the Utes failed. The chances of making the Playoff were already dim and the close win over Kansas State did not move the needle.
Regardless, the season has been a resounding success. The second year in the Big 12 could set the foundation for a consistent run of seasons to follow.
Go beat Kansas and perhaps the Las Vegas Bowl will extend an invitation for a game against a Big Ten opponent.
4. USC (6-2, 8-3) ◄►
Winning on the road is the next step in the evolution of USC’s program in the Big Ten. The Trojans are going to finish the year with conference losses at Illinois and at Oregon.Until defeats like that are avoided, USC will be somewhere near the second or third level in the Conference.
Yet, progress takes time and there’s no denying that USC advanced forward this year.
Now, it’s time to build on the gains and keep the momentum moving in the right direction.
5. Arizona State (6-2, 8-3) ◄►
It took until the fourth quarter for Arizona State to pull away from a bad Colorado team. But the final score was an appropriate margin of victory, and that’s all that really matters.Looking forward to the Territorial Cup game, the Sun Devils have some critical advantages.
Arizona doesn’t have a good run defense and ASU has one of the top rushing offenses in the Big 12.
It’s arguably the biggest game in the rivalry since 2014. And it’s one the Sun Devils shouldn’t lose.
6. Arizona (5-3, 8-3) ◄►
Senior Day provided a storybook ending for the Wildcats.Baylor was driving in the fourth quarter and in position to take the lead. On a fourth-down throw to the endzone, senior defensive back Treydan Stukes intercepted the ball. And a switch was flipped.
Arizona ended up scoring three touchdowns over four minutes to win 41 to 17.
The final score sent a message to a nervous Arizona State fanbase. This team is talented, well-coached, and capable of beating ASU in Tempe.
7. Washington (5-3, 8-3) ◄►
The Huskies destroyed UCLA in Pasadena. The victory secured Washington’s third road win of the Jedd Fisch era.Now, the team returns to Seattle for what might be the biggest game since Fisch took over the program in 2024.
There’s a slim chance that Oregon could miss the Playoff if the Dawgs get the upset. The stakes are high for the Ducks, and UW has nothing to lose.
A win would electrify the trajectory of a program that is already trending in the right direction.
8. San Diego State (6-1, 9-2) ◄►
Sitting at the top of the Mountain West, the Aztecs control their own destiny.Beat New Mexico in Albuquerque this week, and the complicated tie-breaker scenarios are avoided. Lose, and the team is at the mercy of results throughout the rest of the league.
It’s been a great season for San Diego State after several years of misery.
The Playoff is out of reach, but a MWC Championship and LA Bowl appearance are on the table.
9. UNLV (5-2, 9-2) ▲1
The Rebels are playing their best football late in the year. The convincing victory over Hawaii was UNLV’s most impressive win of the season.All that’s left is a road game against rival Nevada and to watch how the cards fall.
Based on the Mountain West’s tiebreaker scenarios, the Rebels would make the Championship Game if they beat the Wolf Pack while Boise State and New Mexico both lose their final game.
The Broncos play at Utah State and the Lobos host San Diego State, so there’s still hope.
10. Boise State (5-2, 7-4) ▲NR
It’s never too late to get back on track.The Broncos dominated Colorado State and looked like their normal selves.
Facing Utah State on the road this week, the opportunity to end the year on a high note is there. But lose, and BSU would have three conference losses for just the third time since joining the Mountain West in 2011.
In the context of the league’s tiebreaker scenarios, the Broncos have wins against New Mexico and UNLV that could be critical.
Dropped Out: Cal
