Pac-12 Football: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not

HOT…

Oregon Ducks (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12)

Last week: Defeated California Golden Bears
This week’s opponent: Colorado Buffaloes

Oregon just keeps rolling on. Last weekend, they demolished Cal, 55-16, exposing Sonny Dykes’ “Bear Raid” offense for all of its quirks. On the Ducks’ plate this Saturday? Colorado. You do the math.

Stanford Cardinal (4-0, 2-0 Pac-12)

Last week: Defeated Washington State Cougars
This week’s opponent: Washington Huskies

Stanford continues to beat up on its Pac-12 neighbors. Its most recent victim was Washington State, pounding coach Mike Leach and his “Air Raid” attack to the tune of 55-17. Is the Cardinal ready for a true test? We’ll find out, when the Washington Huskies visit the Farm.

Washington Huskies (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12)

Last week: Defeated Arizona Wildcats
This week’s opponent: Stanford Cardinal

Sure, Steve Sarkisian’s team dispatched Rich Rod and his rain-soaked Wildcats, 30-13, last Saturday. But Stanford is a whole ‘nuther matter! The Huskies will show us whether they’re for real when they get to Palo Alto.

Arizona State Sun Devils (3-1, 1-1 Pac-12)

Last week: Defeated USC Trojans
This week’s opponent: Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ AT&T Stadium

Arizona State faces yet another “statement” game, this time against Notre Dame. This contest will be held at “Jerry’s World” outside Dallas, so who knows what could transpire. The Sun Devils will break out their new “flaming lids” for the big matchup with the Irish. Please keep all women and children at a safe distance.

UCLA Bruins (3-0, 0-0 Pac-12)

Last week: Bye
This week’s opponent: Utah Utes

The Bruins had the luxury of lounging on the couch last weekend. This Thursday, they open Pac-12 play against the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City. Coach Jim Mora Jr. and his team likely improve to 4-0.

Oregon State Beavers (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12)

Last week: Defeated Colorado Buffaloes
This week: Bye

The Beavers get to stay in the pond this week while their conference rivals have it out. Coach Mike Riley’s team has gotten over its early season loss to Eastern Washington and appears ready to make a run in the Pac-12 North. Time will tell.

NOT…

Utah Utes (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12)

Last week: Bye
This week’s opponent: UCLA Bruins

Utah continues to confound the pundits. One minute, they look like a conference contender, and the next they come off as also-rans. We like coach Kyle Whittingham, so we’re giving the Utes the benefit of the doubt against UCLA. Possible upset special, but don’t bet on it.

USC Trojans (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12)

Last week: Loss to Arizona State Sun Devils
This week: Bye

A bye couldn’t have come at a better time for the beleaguered Trojans. After all, they just endured an epic butt kicking by Todd Graham’s ASU Sun Devils, followed by the unseemly dismissal of their “beloved” coach, Lane Kiffin. USC needs a week to sort this mess out before they tangle with Arizona.

Arizona Wildcats (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12)

Last week: Loss to Washington Huskies
This week: Bye

The Arizona Wildcats will be back in Tucson this weekend, licking the wounds they suffered against a powerful Washington team. Coach Rich Rodriquez claims he’s sticking with B.J. Denker at quarterback. If that’s true, he’d better hope nothing happens to sensational running back Ka’Deem Carey. Otherwise, it could be a long season in the Old Pueblo.

Washington State Cougars (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12)

Last week: Loss to Stanford Cardinal
This week’s opponent: California Golden Bears

The theme for the Pac-12 battle of the week is…wait for it…Air Raid vs. Bear Raid! Two wild and crazy guys—Mike Leach and Sonny Dykes—will match egos and playbooks when their teams collide in Berkeley. Somebody has to win this one, right?

Colorado Buffaloes (2-1, 0-1 Pac-12)

Last week: Loss to Oregon State Beavers
This week’s opponent: Oregon Ducks

Poor Colorado. Their season started in such a promising fashion under new coach Mike MacIntyre. Then, the area surrounding the CU campus in Boulder was nearly obliterated by biblical flooding. The Buffaloes regrouped after the disaster, but now get to serve as cannon fodder for both Oregon schools.

California Golden Bears (1-3, 0-1 Pac-12)

Last week: Loss to Oregon Ducks
This week’s opponent: Washington State Cougars

We’re not going to call Sonny Dykes’ offensive scheme gimmicky. After all, the Golden Bears score a lot of points—don’t they? Yes, but they’re also losing a lot of games with said offense. If the Bears fall hard to Wazzu, it might get ugly in Strawberry Canyon.