Pac-12 rewind: Arizona, Oregon State shine while Riley’s offense delivers and Penix thrives, but Utah’s playoff hopes take huge hit

A recap of the Week One motion throughout the Pac-12 …

Theme of the week I: Gentle prime, stout center

The Pac-12 dealt with its enterprise towards the second- and third-tier opponents, with an ideal mark towards each Group of 5 groups (5-0) and FCS (4-0) competitors — the identical caliber of foes that gave the convention a lot bother in 2021. (The COVID hangover appears to have been purged from the collective’s bloodstream.)

However the Pac-12 faltered towards the Energy 5 with Colorado’s second half no-show towards TCU, which isn’t thought of a contender within the Massive 12; Oregon’s start-to-finish face-plant towards Georgia; and Utah’s gut-wrenching loss at Florida.

We by no means considered the Geese as a severe menace for the School Soccer Playoff, however the Utes may have been — and nonetheless might be if they do what no staff has achieved within the enlargement period and run the desk in convention play.

The final staff to provide an ideal league season was Oregon in 2010.

Recreation of the week: Florida 29, Utah 26

The highly-anticipated opener was even higher than marketed with 4 touchdowns — and 4 lead adjustments — within the ultimate 16 minutes and an interception in the long run zone by the Gators that ended Utah’s shot at victory.

The groups mixed for simply two turnovers and 10 penalties, making a high-level matchup in a tense ambiance which may not be topped for drama through the Pac-12’s non-conference season.

Workforce of the week: Arizona

Should you take away all wins over FCS opponents and all cases wherein the Pac-12 was victorious as a heavy favourite, there are solely two choices on this class: Arizona and Oregon State.

However the Beavers have been at house towards Boise State whereas the Wildcats have been on the highway going through San Diego State within the first recreation in Snapdragon Stadium.

Additionally, the Beavers gained seven video games final yr; the Wildcats gained one.

We have been completely impressed with each groups, however Arizona’s efficiency within the 38-20 win marked a extra vital step for this system than did OSU’s outcome.

Debut of the week: USC coach Lincoln Riley

The anticipation constructed steadily over the course of 279 days. And when the brand new period of USC soccer lastly started, it appeared … fairly rattling good.

The Trojans resembled Riley’s former staff, Oklahoma, in a 66-14 victory over Rice that included three touchdowns by the protection (through Choose Sixes), two scores by switch receiver Jordan Addison and highly-efficient play from star quarterback Caleb Williams.

That mentioned, Rice is a third-tier FBS program. We’ll have a greater sense for USC’s progress on Saturday when it visits Stanford. The Cardinal has gained 5 of the previous eight conferences and steamrollered the Trojans in Week Two final season. Two days later, Clay Helton was canned.

Offensive participant of the week: Arizona receiver Jacob Cowing

We anticipated Cowing, a switch from UTEP, to make an instantaneous impression. However his debut Saturday at San Diego State was next-level stuff: eight catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns.

Cowing is reportedly the primary receiver since Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree (in 2007) to provide three touchdowns in his Energy 5 debut.

No matter manufacturing he delivers in convention play, one factor appears clear: Cowing’s presence will create alternatives within the aerial recreation for Arizona’s different wideouts.

Defensive participant of the week: Oregon State security Jaydon Grant

The seventh-year senior — you learn that proper — was a central determine in OSU’s decisive victory over Boise State.

Grant pressured a fumble and corralled an early interception that arrange the Beavers’ first landing. He additionally had 4 tackles and broke up two passes as OSU constructed a 24-0 halftime lead and cruised to its first season-opening victory since 2015.

QB of the week: Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.

Seven of the beginning quarterbacks in Week One got here by the switch portal prior to now 9 months, an indication of the occasions — and the wobbly play that hampered Pac-12 success final season.

Penix, who spent 4 seasons at Indiana earlier than shifting to Montlake, was as spectacular as any of them.

His familiarity with coach Kalen DeBoer’s system — they have been collectively at Indiana for 2 years — was evident Saturday as Penix accomplished 26-of-39 passes for 345 yards and 4 touchdowns.

UW’s offense confirmed a degree of sophistication and variety that we haven’t seen in ages. Will it final? The Week Three duel towards Michigan State ought to be telling.

Stat of the week: Blowouts

Of the 12 video games performed throughout three days, 10 have been determined by double digits and 7 by 20 factors or extra, together with the losses by Colorado and Oregon.

The exceptions have been Utah’s last-minute defeat at Florida and Washington State’s 24-17 escape from Idaho wherein the so-called ‘Coug Raid’ appeared disjointed for lengthy stretches.

All of the lopsided affairs counsel Week Two might be full of drama.

And talking of Week Two …

Video games of subsequent week: Arizona, ASU and Washington State

The Pac-12 has three extra probabilities to show itself towards Energy 5 competitors with the Wildcats internet hosting Mississippi State (and Mike Leach), the Solar Devils visiting Oklahoma State and the Cougars venturing to Wisconsin.

One win is important. Two could be an upside shock for the convention.

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