Every week, the Hotline ranks the perfect main faculty soccer groups throughout the western third of the nation — not solely the Pac-12 however the Mountain West and Independents — utilizing a method that’s partly results-oriented and partly subjective.
We'll publish an analogous rating as soon as the basketball season begins, incorporating the highest groups from the West Coast Convention, Massive West, Massive Sky and Western Athletic, as properly.
Right here’s our evaluation via the outcomes of Week 5 …
(All instances Pacific)
1. USC (5-0/3-0 Pac-12)
Final week: 1
Consequence: beat Arizona State 42-25
Subsequent up: vs. Washington State (4:30 p.m. on FOX)
Line: USC -13
Remark: Survive WSU and escape Salt Lake Metropolis subsequent weekend, and the Trojans turn out to be a frontrunner for the playoff. They will afford one loss down the stretch, so long as it’s not within the convention championship.
2. Utah (4-1/2-0 Pac-12)
Final week: 2
Consequence: beat Oregon State 42-16
Subsequent up: at UCLA (12:30 p.m. on FOX)
Line: Utah -4.5
Remark: Again-to-back Saturdays in opposition to the Los Angeles faculties — with all three groups ranked and each video games on FOX — create a stellar alternative for the Utes to supply a story counterweight to the Florida loss.
3. Oregon (4-1/2-0 Pac-12)
Final week: 3
Consequence: beat Stanford 45-27
Subsequent up: at Arizona (6 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Line: Oregon -13
Remark: The offensive line lacks a headliner like Penei Sewell, however its effectiveness may be summed up with one quantity: 5.96 yards per rush. We anticipate a 200-yard recreation Saturday night time.
4. Brigham Younger (4-1)
Final week: 4
Consequence: beat Utah State 38-26
Subsequent up: at Notre Dame (4:30 p.m. on NBC)
Line: BYU +7
Remark: Clearly, the Cougars aren’t the worst main faculty workforce within the state of Utah. Sadly, we gained’t discover out if they're the perfect.
5. Washington State (4-1/1-1 Pac-12)
Final week: 6
Consequence: beat Cal 28-9
Subsequent up: at USC (4:30 p.m. on FOX)
Line: WSU +13
Remark: Mixed rating the previous two years: USC 83, WSU 27. This version ought to be extra aggressive.
6. UCLA (5-0/2-0 Pac-12)
Final week: 9
Consequence: beat Washington 40-32
Subsequent up: vs. Utah (12:30 p.m. on FOX)
Line: UCLA +4.5
Remark: If Dorian Thompson-Robinson follows his sterling efficiency in opposition to Washington with a first-rate displaying this week (on broadcast tv, no much less), Los Angeles could have its second Heisman Trophy contender. And we may very well be taking a look at 1988 over again.
7. Washington (4-1/1-1 Pac-12)
Final week: 5
Consequence: misplaced at UCLA 40-32
Subsequent up: at Arizona State (1 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Line: Washington -14
Remark: Talking of … UW quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has a slender path to critical consideration for the Heisman. And it’s extra simply traversed if he’s carrying 9 or 10 victories. It is a must-win on a number of ranges.
8. Air Power (4-1/1-1Mountain West)
Final week: 10
Consequence: beat Navy 13-10
Subsequent up: at Utah State (4 p.m. on FS1)
Line: Air Power -10
Remark: That is the ultimate likelihood to refine and polish earlier than the back-to-back video games that can outline the Falcons’ season, in opposition to UNLV and Boise State.
9. UNLV (4-1/2-0 Mountain West)
Final week: NR
Consequence: beat New Mexico 31-20
Subsequent up: at San Jose State (Friday, 7:30 p.m. on CBSSN)
Line: UNLV +7
Remark: We now have been impressed by third-year coach Marcus Arroyo’s work revitalizing this system however have to see extra. Fortuitously, the Rebels have a date Friday night time that can lend appreciable readability to their outlook.
10. San Jose State (3-1/1-0 Mountain West)
Final week: NR
Consequence: gained at Wyoming 33-16
Subsequent up: vs. UNLV (Friday, 7:30 p.m. on CBSSN)
Line: SJSU -7
Remark: This stacks up because the Spartans’ greatest workforce since all the way in which again in 2020. Good likelihood coach Brent Brennan secures his second profitable season in three years — a feat not achieved round SJSU in three many years.
Help 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 to your help.
*** Ship solutions, feedback and ideas (confidentiality assured) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or name 408-920-5716
*** Comply with me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline isn't endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Convention, and the views expressed herein don't essentially mirror the views of the Convention.