The Pac-12’s better-than-expected displaying over the primary three weeks — are you able to blame us for having a bleak outlook? — included non-conference sweeps by 4 groups.
Oregon State, UCLA, Washington and Washington State accomplished the out-of-league parts of their schedules with 3-0 marks. They're midway to bowl eligibility with 9 league video games to play.
(Two different groups, USC and Stanford, are undefeated in non-conference video games with extra dates to come back.)
The correlation between non-conference perfection and bowl invites is robust.
For the reason that Pac-12 expanded previous to the 2011 season, 47 groups have recorded 3-0 data in opposition to FBS and FCS competitors.
Of these, 40 went on to achieve the six-win threshold wanted for a bowl berth. That’s successful charge of 85.1 p.c.
The seven groups that went 3-0 in non-conference play and did not change into bowl-eligible — that means, they had been worse than 3-6 in convention video games — had been as follows:
2013: Utah and Colorado
2014: Oregon State
2016: Arizona State
2017: Cal and Colorado
2018: Colorado
(Word: We're together with USC ’11 as one of many 40. The Trojans had been 3-0 in non-conference video games and gained 10 general however had been ineligible for a bowl bid due to NCAA sanctions.)
The historic pattern suggests Oregon State, UCLA, Washington and WSU are extraordinarily nicely positioned for bowl bids this fall. They want solely win three out of 9 convention video games to qualify.
And with three of the 4, there’s a further element value noting: Solely Washington State doesn't play Colorado, which is struggling to achieve a minimal stage of competence.
The Bruins, Huskies and Cougars have three wins secured and certain can be closely favored in a fourth.
To the facility scores …
* Please observe: The scores under don’t essentially observe with the order of groups listed on my Related Press top-25 poll, which relies on tips supplied by the AP.
All occasions Pacific
1. USC 3-0/1-0)
Final week: 1
Outcome: beat Fresno State 45-17
Subsequent up: at Oregon State (6:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Remark: The Trojans are simply No. 81 nationally in yards-per-play allowed (5.6) however a powerful No. 4 in turnovers created (3.33 per recreation). Consequently, they stand forty sixth in factors allowed (19.7 ppg). If the opportunism ever deteriorates, issues may get dicey.
2. Washington State (3-0)
Final week: 3
Outcome: beat Colorado State 38-7
Subsequent up: vs. Oregon (1 p.m. on FOX)
Remark: We had been ready for the offense to catch as much as the protection. Judging by Cam Ward’s 299 yards and 4 touchdowns in opposition to CSU, that course of might be accelerating. Substantiation, or rejection, will come Saturday afternoon.
3. Utah (2-1)
Final week: 2
Outcome: beat San Diego State 35-7
Subsequent up: at Arizona State (7:30 p.m. on ESPN/2)
Remark: Think about the response of Utah’s offensive line when it watches movie of ASU’s defensive entrance permitting 305 yards speeding to Japanese Michigan. Will probably be just like the Hotline watching a hot-off-the-grill hamburger from In-N-Out (Animal Model).
4. Washington (3-0)
Final week: 6
Outcome: beat Michigan State 39-28
Subsequent up: vs. Stanford (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: The semi-blowout at Husky Stadium was an ambush everybody noticed coming and a lesser model of UW’s 2016 obliteration of No. 7 Stanford, which signaled Washington’s ascent to the highest of the convention. However there are extra obstacles within the Huskies’ path than there have been again then.
5. Oregon (2-1)
Final week: 7
Outcome: beat BYU 41-20
Subsequent up: at Washington State (1 p.m. on FOX)
Remark: In Week One, we received unhealthy Bo. In Week Three, we noticed good Bo. Oregon’s destiny hinges on which Bo Nix seems repeatedly over the following two months. And for those who can determine that out upfront, please focus as an alternative on curing most cancers.
6. Oregon State (3-0)
Final week: 4
Outcome: beat Montana State 68-28
Subsequent up: vs. USC (6:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Remark: We examined the field scores from three memorable OSU victories over the Trojans — the 2006 and 2008 upsets of the Carroll-era juggernauts and the breakthrough win final 12 months within the Coliseum — and what jumped off the web page? USC had 14 turnovers within the three video games, whereas the Beavers had two.
7. UCLA (3-0)
Final week: 5
Outcome: beat South Alabama 32-31
Subsequent up: at Colorado (11 a.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Remark: The Pac-12’s improved depth is mirrored in an undefeated staff within the No. 7 place in our energy scores. In fact, the Bruins wanted a last-second subject objective to retain their undefeated standing.
8. Arizona (2-1)
Final week: 8
Outcome: beat North Dakota State 31-28
Subsequent up: at Cal (2:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Remark: Certain, the Bison are an FCS program. However Arizona would have misplaced that recreation final 12 months, and the 12 months earlier than that, and fairly presumably the 12 months earlier than that and that and that. Progress, people. Progress.
9. Cal (2-1)
Final week: 9
Outcome: misplaced at Notre Dame 24-17
Subsequent up: vs. Arizona (2:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Remark: The ACC knowledgeable us that it gained’t launch a public assertion about the insane offside name on the Bears that led to a Notre Dame landing. As a substitute, the matter can be dealt with privately between the supervisors of officers for the 2 conferences. (Within the Pac-12, that’s David Coleman.)
10. Arizona State (1-2)
Final week: 10
Outcome: misplaced to Japanese Michigan 30-21
Subsequent up: vs. Utah (7:30 p.m. on ESPN/2)
Remark: If all it took to dismiss Herm Edwards was a depressing on-field efficiency, why didn’t ASU hearth him after the no-show in opposition to Washington State in the midst of final season?
11. Stanford (1-1/0-1)
Final week: 11
Outcome: idle
Subsequent up: at Washington (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: The additional time to organize creates a stellar alternative for the Cardinal to proceed its bizarre dominance of the Huskies within the underdog position. Nonetheless, the bye is unhealthy information in each different respect: Stanford should play 10 consecutive weeks.
12. Colorado (0-3)
Final week: 12
Outcome: misplaced at Minnesota 49-7
Subsequent up: vs. UCLA (11 a.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Remark: On the record of ominous indicators for any head coach, the athletic director providing a public assertion of help in all probability ranks fifth. The highest 4 could be shedding to Japanese Michigan amid an NCAA recruiting scandal, refusing to get a COVID vaccine regardless of a state mandate, shedding at house to Oregon State for the primary time in 61 years and whacking a participant throughout an in-game altercation.
However that’s only a guess.
Assist the Hotline: Obtain three months of limitless entry for simply 99 cents. Yep, that’s 99 cents for 90 days, with the choice to cancel anytime. Particulars are right here, and thanks in your help.
*** Ship recommendations, feedback and ideas (confidentiality assured) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or name 408-920-5716
*** Observe me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline just isn't endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Convention, and the views expressed herein don't essentially mirror the views of the Convention.