Immediate response to Pac-12 on-the-field developments …

1. Seven stellar hours

The Pac-12 couldn’t have requested for far more on the third and last weekend of the non-conference season.

We’ll get to the collective efficiency momentarily, however let’s begin with the marquee, back-to-back victories by the bitter rivals alongside I-5: Oregon thumped No. 12 Brigham Younger 41-20, then Washington hammered No. 11 Michigan State 39-28.

The present of pressure by the Pacific Northwest powers marked the primary time the Pac-12 has recorded two non-conference wins over ranked groups on the identical Saturday since Sept. 14, 2013, when ASU took down Wisconsin and UCLA beat Nebraska.

With first-year coaches in search of signature wins, switch quarterbacks taking part in at a excessive stage and swarming defenses, the Geese and Huskies had been equally dominant in benchmark video games.

It’s far too early for grand pronouncements, nevertheless it seems each are positioned for profitable years.

Care to guess the final time Washington and Oregon had been good … actually good … in the identical season? Again in 2000, after they completed in a three-way tie (with Oregon State) for the convention title.

That’s good for the Pac-12. The convention is finest when its prime manufacturers are profitable, and as of this second, it certain appears like the highest three soccer applications (USC, Oregon and Washington) are related regionally and nationally.

They aren’t the one ones. We gained’t ignore Utah, the defending champions, or the undefeated trio of Oregon State, Washington State and UCLA.

However identical to the Large Ten is finest when Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State are elite, the Pac-12’s picture shines brightest when its conventional powers are good.

The convention wanted Washington and Oregon to indicate properly right this moment, in back-to-back video games in opposition to ranked opponents on community tv. And each delivered.

It was a reminder, too, that if the Geese and Huskies stick round, Pac-12 soccer isn’t destined for the wilderness as soon as USC and UCLA depart for the Large Ten.

2. Playoff discuss

Sure, we’re going there. Why? As a result of for now, the maths calls for it.

Let’s handle Washington’s state of affairs first. Although the Huskies had been unranked to begin the season, their Faculty Soccer Playoff system is not any completely different than Utah’s system or USC’s system (or Washington State’s or Oregon State’s, for that matter).

Any staff that wins the Pac-12 title and finishes the season with a 13-0 or 12-1 report have to be thought-about a playoff candidate. And if that staff’s resume features a victory over a ranked non-conference opponent, its prospects are even higher.

In fact, the trick is the 13-0 or 12-1 piece, and we’re hardly satisfied the Huskies have what it takes to clear that bar. The identical goes for WSU and OSU — neither staff has the personnel to come back near 13-0 or 12-1.

From our vantage level, USC owns the perfect shot of ending the Pac-12’s six-year playoff drought. The Trojans possess the expertise and, in contrast to Utah, have the required margin for error. The Utes can not lose once more due to the stumble at Florida, whereas USC can afford a loss in league play (however would wish to beat Notre Dame).

Oregon has little hope, even with a stellar run via the Pac-12. The 49-3 loss to Georgia stained the Geese’ resume for the rest of the season.

3. Non-conference mastery

Now, just a few phrases concerning the collective.

By means of three weeks, the Pac-12 is 24-9 in non-conference play — a considerable enchancment over final yr’s 16-16 mark at this level.

The convention has overwhelmed two ranked Large Ten groups (Michigan State and Wisconsin), is undefeated in opposition to the FCS and has simply two losses to Group of 5 opponents. (Extra on these in a second.)

There are three non-conference video games left: Stanford and USC face Notre Dame, whereas the Cardinal additionally performs BYU in late November.

At worst, the Pac-12 will end with a 24-12 mark — a mean of two wins per staff, which is necessary: Win twice exterior of league play, and also you want simply 4 convention victories to qualify for the postseason.

Notably, no less than 4 groups will conclude non-conference play with a 3-0 report: Washington, Oregon State, Washington State and UCLA. (USC and Stanford may, as properly.)

And it may have been 5, given how shut Cal got here to victory at Notre Dame.

The Bears missed a number of possibilities however had been on the incorrect facet of a preposterous offsides name (by ACC officers) on an errant Notre Dame subject objective within the second quarter.

Given a second probability, the Irish scored a landing that supplied the profitable margin.

4. General improve

Every thing concerning the Pac-12’s postseason stays muddled, however we have now loads of readability on the common season: The standard of play throughout the convention is healthier than it was final yr by an order of magnitude.

Why?

Teaching adjustments have resulted in main upgrades at two of the Pac-12’s premier applications, USC and Washington.

The quarterback play is the same as, or higher than it was, at most colleges (USC and Washington prime that listing, as properly).

Transfers have made an enormous influence, and never simply on the quarterback place.

And the COVID hangover — the dearth of observe and sport expertise in 2020 that affected efficiency firstly of the 2021 season — has been utterly flushed from the system.

From right here, it seems the Pac-12 is headed for its finest common season since 2017, when it positioned 4 groups within the last AP ballot and had two (USC and UW) take part within the New Yr’s Six.

5. The outliers

We talked about above that two groups have suffered losses to Group of 5 opponents.

These groups can be Colorado, which was thumped at Air Power in Week Two, and Arizona State, which misplaced at dwelling to Jap Michigan on Saturday evening.

The winless Buffaloes have been outscored 128-30 in three video games and are clearly the worst staff within the convention, if not all the Energy 5. They’re unwatchable. (We all know that as a result of we have now watched.)

In the meantime, the Solar Devils are in a fragile state of affairs on and off the sphere due to the mixture of an undisciplined staff and the NCAA investigation.

Add essential personnel deficiencies — Jap Michigan rushed for 305 yards — and a brutal upcoming schedule, and ASU may shortly be part of Colorado as a season-long backside feeder.

The Solar Devils are 1-2 and now face Utah, USC and Washington in succession.

Due to coach Herm Edwards’ seemingly wobbly future, it’s not arduous to examine the gamers shedding curiosity and urgency if the losses mount.

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