While this weekend didn't really reveal too much about the Pac 12 that we didn't know it did yield some surprises. To begin with Oregon State is in a world of hurt as a program at the moment. I started telling my Beaver friends last year that their fate was going to be similar to WSU unless they got their recruiting under control. Surprise, it has happened. Poor Attrition, poor recruiting, and wrecked by injuries have left the Beavers in a tail spin that Riley cannot even correct.
We also learned an important lesson from the Huskies. They find ways to win, but they also find ways to almost beat themselves. Subtract the 21 point 6 minute effort and Hawaii pulls that game out. It will be interesting to see how the Dawgs play against a quality opponent because we know they play down to the level of their competition now.
Arizona Wildcats may be a beatable program. They are not as good as everyone thought they might be and for all the wrong reasons. Nick Foles was suppose to have a Heisman type year but without Criner it looks as if he is just an average Pac 12 QB. Where is the famous Wildcat defense? It just wasn't around against Okie State and because of it the Pac 12 is going to have to hear about it from Cowboy fans all year long.
California/Colorado have either figured things out or they are both sub par programs this year. I am leaning toward the latter. I thought Cal was going to hand it to Colorado and instead they almost got beat. It says more about Cal than it does about the Buffs. Colorado is thin at the lines but they got enough momentum to hang with Cal. The Bears defense just got torched for 582 yards against a team that only got 240 yards against Hawaii. Last time I checked I am pretty sure that Cal's defense was suppose to at least average.
Stanford handled its business against its second straight sub par foe.
Oregon looked like the Oregon of old against Nevada which makes you wonder if Oregon is still great or just able to knock out a punching bag if it is in front of them. I am interested to see how the Ducks look against the Pac 12 this year.
Utah/USC proved that neither of these teams should be too concerning. It is nice that Utah was a world beater in their old conference but they are going to have a long year in the Pac. USC has confirmed that they are not a top 25 team with that win though. Your hype can only keep you afloat for so long. USC has the talent but they look soft on the field. Kiffen better quit manscaping and start to feed his players man juice.
Big props to Arizona State for not giving the game away completely. They held out for the Pac in our non conference big games of the week. Osweiller also looked the part on Friday night television. It will be interesting to see what ASU team continues to show up each week.
UCLA??????? Really baby blue get your stuff together. Last time I checked SJSU shouldn't be flirting with a win.
Now to the Cougs! I understand that UNLV isn't the best program in the country but I don't think anyone, except the players, thought we were going to lamb baste them. Before the game started I was saying we will know what type of team we have after the UNLV game ends. Since we dominated them I have to admit I am shifting my expectations. Now we will have to wait until the end SDSU game to see what type of team we have.
Currently, the Cougs look like they may be an upper echelon Pac 12 team with the numbers they are putting up. We are leading the Nation in scoring offense and in the top 10 in numerous other categories. Statistically we are one of the best defenses in the Pac 12 at the moment and I don't think anyone saw it coming. There isn't too much to say that couldn't be gleaned from the scoreboard but here goes.
1. Lobster was spectacular and I couldn't be happier because of his story at WSU. He stuck with us without any hope of playing this year and when tragedy struck he seized his opportunity. I hope he continues to grow this year!
2. Marquess Wilson can catch anything. He just continues to grow into a great WR. With Karstetter, Barton, and Ratliff around him he will continue to put up huge numbers.
3. Pole, Rankin, and Laurenzi are a great rotation to have at D-Tackle. They are resting many of the concerns we had about our D-Line strength.
4. Sekope, Mizell, and AHE may be one of the best LB trio's around. They are fast, mean, and play well together. Anyone noticed how often our LB's were getting in on tackles? The only person who is disappointed by this is Deonne Buccannon.
5. I have never seen as many WSU O-Lineman down the field blocking ever. On one play BJ Guerra was out sealing the safety. The starting O-Lineman are doing a great job and with Spitz, Goetz, and Taylor being able to spell the starters it looks like no one is going to have to get over worked.
6. SDSU
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