Pac-12 rewind: USC and Oregon survive, Utah and Washington roll, Ott shines, ASU skids and Stanford get walloped again

Recapping the Week 4 motion throughout the Pac-12 …

Theme of the week I: Northwest thrillers

Probably the most anticipated matchups of Week 4 exceeded expectations, with Oregon scoring 22 factors within the closing 4 minutes to repel Washington State and USC changing with simply over a minute remaining to beat Oregon State. The most important winners — aside from the Geese and Trojans — had been ESPN and Fox, which handed on USC-OSU so as to protect entry to USC later within the season.

Theme of the week II: blowouts

Theme of the season: Prime heavy

Break the convention into three geographic areas, and it’s clear the ability lies within the Pacific Northwest, the place all 4 groups declare 4-0 or 3-1 information. Subsequent up can be the California zone, the place solely Stanford seems to be to be among the many meek. Then comes the Mountain area, which has one elite crew (Utah), one terrible crew (Colorado) and two that seem mediocre, at greatest.

Sport of the week: USC 17, Oregon State 14

You can make a terrific case for Oregon’s escape at WSU. However we opted for the Trojans’ victory as a result of it matched two undefeated groups and since the go-ahead landing got here with 73 seconds remaining, whereas Oregon’s go-ahead rating got here a lot earlier within the sport — with 81 seconds left.

Offensive participant of the week: Oregon’s Bo Nix

We noticed unhealthy Bo within the first half with a telegraphed go that was a Decide Six, however the senior quarterback morphed into good Bo with a stellar fourth quarter through which he carved up the Cougars. Nix completed the sport with 428 yards and three touchdowns and accomplished 75 p.c of his makes an attempt in opposition to one of many high defenses within the convention.

Defensive participant of the week: WSU’s Francisco Mauigoa

The sophomore linebacker anticipated a Nix go to the correct flat and produced a 95-yard Decide Six, which included some fancy footwork down the left sideline. The play created a 14-point turnaround — it each prevented and produced a landing — and gave the Cougars a 17-6 lead within the second quarter. We should always point out stellar defensive performances from Oregon State’s secondary and Washington’s entrance seven.

Rookie of the week: Cal’s Jaydn Ott

The freshman tailback rushed for 274 yards and three touchdowns in opposition to Arizona, together with runs of 72 and 73 yards. Within the trendy period of Cal soccer, solely Jahvid Greatest (311) has run for extra. For these unaware, Ott was a four-star prospect and the highest-rated offensive recruit to signal with the Bears in 5 years. He’s worthy of their unimaginable tailback lineage of the 2000s.

Coach of the week: Oregon State defensive coordinator Trent Bray

This house is often reserved for head coaches, however Bray’s gameplan in opposition to USC was an absolute masterpiece. The Beavers made Caleb Williams uncomfortable and shut down Jordan Addison for 58 minutes. Not solely did the Beavers maintain USC, which had been averaging 50 factors per sport, to a paltry 17, they did it regardless of 4 interceptions by OSU quarterback Probability Nolan.

Collapse of the week: Arizona’s protection

The Wildcats had been wobbly within the first half in Berkeley and liquefied within the second, permitting 28 factors and three landing drives of no less than 70 yards. First-year coordinator Johnny Nansen should recalibrate earlier than his unit faces the meat of the schedule, with successive video games in opposition to Oregon, Washington, USC, Utah and UCLA.

Clutch drive of the week: USC

Quarterback Caleb Williams was out of rhythm and off track all night time, besides when it mattered most. Trailing by 4 factors with 4:35 remaining, Williams directed an 11-play, 84-yard landing drive that gave the Trojans their successful margin. It was precisely the kind of clutch efficiency that results in playoff runs and Heisman votes.

Blown name of the week: Pac-12 officers

Probably the most egregious mistake of the season up to now occurred in Pullman, the place officers misplaced observe of the downs following an intentional grounding name on Washington State’s Cam Ward. After a lot deliberation, video research and a punt by the Cougars, they gave WSU the ball again to make up for the misplaced down. As FOX officiating analyst Mike Pereira stated on the printed, it was “the last word miss.”

Blown name of the season: ACC officers

In response to a report by Pac-12 Networks play-by-play announcer Roxy Bernstein, the ACC suspended the side judge responsible for the offside name in opposition to Cal that led to a Notre Dame landing within the Irish victory (by seven factors). The report additionally signifies the ACC apologized to Cal and admitted the decision was incorrect.

Gloomy outlook of the month: Arizona State

One week after dismissing — err, parting methods with coach Herm Edwards, the Solar Devils had been run off the sector by Utah (34-13) of their worst dwelling loss for the reason that center of the 2017 season (USC). However there isn’t any reduction in sight: Subsequent comes a visit to USC, adopted by a house date with Washington. Barring an upset, ASU will attain its bye week with a 1-5 file.

Scorching seat of the season: Colorado’s Karl Dorrell

With the Edwards period over at Arizona State, Dorrell’s seat turns into the most popular within the convention. The Buffaloes are winless, have been outscored by a mean of 31.5 factors per sport and are betting {that a} freshman quarterback, Owen McCown, can present a morsel of hope. They go to Arizona subsequent week, then have a bye. If an in-season teaching change is coming, count on it through the break.

Stat of the week I: UCLA

The Bruins hammered Colorado 45-17 for his or her seventh consecutive victory — this system’s longest successful streak for the reason that 2005 season when it received eight in a row below head coach … Karl Dorrell.

Stat of the week II: Stanford

The Cardinal dropped its eighth consecutive convention sport courting to the center of final season. In that stretch, Stanford has been outscored by 155 factors. Not for the reason that mid-2000s, below coach Walt Harris, has this system didn’t compete with such regularity.

Stat of the week III: USC

The Trojans lead the nation in turnovers created with 14 takeaways in 4 video games. (No different Energy 5 crew has greater than 9.) Maybe extra exceptional, the Trojans haven’t dedicated a turnover.

Stat of the week IV: Washington

The Huskies have gathered 1,475 passing yards by way of 4 video games, tops within the nation. At their present fee of 368.8 per sport, they may exceed the 12-game whole from final 12 months in three extra video games.

Stat of the week V: Utah

Within the three video games since their last-second loss at Florida, the Utes have outscored their opponents 142-27. They haven’t misplaced to a Pac-12 opponent since Oct. 23, 2021 (at Oregon State).

Sport of subsequent week (Friday): Washington at UCLA

Lastly, a high quality take a look at for UCLA, which is 4-0 in opposition to what has been arguably the softest schedule within the nation up to now. (South Alabama is the very best crew the Bruins have confronted.) That is Washington’s first street sport, so we’ll see if the Huskies can execute with the identical stage of effectivity on enemy turf.

Sport of subsequent week (Saturday): Oregon State at Utah

An intriguing matchup on a number of ranges, beginning with the Beavers’ way of thinking after the crushing loss to USC. They received handily in Corvallis final season and rushed for 260 yards within the course of. Will the Utes supply extra resistance? A loss would extinguish Utah’s faint hopes of reaching the playoff. OSU can’t afford a second defeat if it hopes to contend for the convention title.

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