What We Learned From the PAC-12 This Weekend

This weekend’s PAC-12 game slate was underwhelming on paper, but there were some key matchups that will help us “experts” predict the future. First of all, ASU beating the Oregon Ducks was unexpected, and definitely the most surprising end result. Stanford pumped UCLA 58-34, Washington dismantled CU in Boulder 37-10, Washington State beat up on Nevada (as they should), USC battled with Cal and came out on top 30-20, and the Utes of Utah squeaked by U of A.

More Mediocrity Than Greatness

Well I will start by saying that I was not expecting Arizona State to win a PAC-12 game, let alone beat a solid Ducks group led by Justin Herbert. They squeaked into the Top 25 last week, and lost the same week, exactly like UCLA did the week before. UCLA, Oregon, Cal, Colorado, and Utah are all just… okay. They are too inconsistent week to week right now and we are a third of the way done with the regular season folks.

I think I would have a better shot at touching Mike Gundy’s Mullet, than trying to predict who will win these PAC-12 head to head matchups. And yes, the M in Mullet must be capitalized. Bottom line is that the middle of the PAC-12 is going to be a cluster of mediocrity, rather than being a solid conference top to bottom.

Washington is the Real Deal

The Huskies traveled to Boulder, Colorado this weekend for a date with the CU Buffs, and annihilated them on the road. The second half was a much different story than the first, with the Huskies scoring 27 points in the latter half. Myles Gaskin absolutely exploded for 202 yards on 27 attempts and 2 touchdowns. The Dante Pettis-Isaiah Oliver matchup was a good one, and Oliver got the best of him, only allowing one catch.

Pettis also did not touch the ball on special teams, which is only good news for the Huskies. They have the weapons to make a run at USC for the PAC-12 Title, and potentially another bid into the College Football Playoff. Look out for Washington as they have Oregon State on the road, Cal at home, a trip to ASU, and UCLA at home to end September and October.

They may end up running the table and landing in the top 4 if the cookie decides to crumble in such a way.

"Do either of you guys dab?" Best interview ever ?? pic.twitter.com/0NTn78nxFM

— NFL MEMES (@NFLMemes4You) March 26, 2017

“That’s legal in Washington.”

USC is NOT the Best Team in the PAC-12

USC has not looked impressive the first four weeks of the season. They did not play a good game against Western Michigan, beat an alright Stanford team, battled Texas at home, and just beat Cal by 10. Have they done anything to make me remotely trust them going into conference play? The answer is no.

USC has Wazzu on the road this weekend, and I honestly have them on upset alert. I do not think Sam Darnold is going to be able to carry this team forever, and the breaking point is this Friday.

Their schedule does them no favors throughout the rest of the year either, as they have tough road games against Notre Dame and the CU Buffs. Washington is the best team in the conference, and if you don’t believe me, just wait until Luke Falk dominates this Trojans secondary.