Last week, we discussed here six pivotal “perception” games for the Pac-12 Conference. I noted there conference likely needed to win three of the games to consider it a successful week, even though four of the games were on the road and one of the two home games (Oklahoma at UCLA) was likely never going to be competitive.
It was not an easy road to get to 3-3, and one of the best chance’s for a win (USC at BYU) did not fall in the league’s favor. However, Arizona State went into East Lansing as 15 point underdogs with a true freshman quarterback who made enough plays to pull the upset in a physical defensive struggle. Later that night, Arizona’s defense turned in an impressive effort as the Wildcats, home underdogs, defeated Texas Tech.
Those wins, combined with Washington State’s Friday night win over a pesky Houston squad, put the conference at 3-3, offsetting the USC defeat and expected losses by Stanford and UCLA. While this .500 does little to dramatically change the perception of the league, it at least keeps things stabilized and the conference has six teams ranked in the AP Top 25 – most since November of 2015.
Fast-forward to Week 4 and there are two more critical perception games that the Pac-12 would love to pick up: Washington is the third Pac-12 team to go into Prove, and California heads to SEC country to face Ole Miss.
Closer to home, Pac-12 play begins to take center stage on Friday night. Conference-favorite Utah travels to the Coliseum to face USC on Friday night in a game that will surely shape the Pac-12 race. For everything we think we know about Utah, a loss here would actually put USC at 2-0 in the conference.
It will also be an interesting week across the national landscape as one more marquee non-conference game shines in the spotlight. Notre Dame travels to Georgia in a showdown of two of last year’s CFB Playoff teams. There are also conference clashes to keep an eye on, including Michigan at Wisconsin in the Big 10 and Auburn at Texas A&M in the SEC.
Now, let’s get to the Pac-12 Power Rankings and the Dry Heat Sports Top 10 for Week 4:
Pac-12 South
1. Utah (3-0, 0-0 Pac-12)
Last Game: Won vs. Idaho State, 31-0
Next Game: Friday at USC
The Utes beat BYU in Provo, something USC could not do. However, the Trojans are already 1-0 in conference play, so a loss here would force Utah to start playing catch-up quickly.
2. USC (2-1, 1-0 Pac-12)
Last Game: Lost at BYU, 30-27 (OT)
Next Game: Friday vs. Utah
With a true freshman quarterback playing on the road for the first time, the Trojans turned the ball over too much to win at BYU. While the schedule remains daunting, a win this week in the Coliseum would propel Clay Helton’s team to a 2-0 start in conference action.
3. Arizona State (3-0, 0-0 Pac-12)
Last Game: Won at Michigan State, 10-7
Next Game: Saturday vs. Colorado
Credit the now nationally-ranked Sun Devils for playing a very tough game and earning a much-needed win for the Pac-12 in East Lansing. The missed penalty at the end of the game aside, ASU showed it can go toe-to-toe with a solid team. Now the challenge is start off conference play on the right foot, because a tough stretch of games awaits, including three of four on the road after this.
3. Arizona (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12)
Last Game: Won vs. Texas Tech, 28-14
Next Game: Sept. 28 vs. UCLA
The Wildcats delivered a much-needed win for Kevin Sumlin & Co., surprising many with a sound defensive effort against Texas Tech. Another bye week is here, and like ASU this week vs. Colorado, Arizona must get off to a fast start in conference play against UCLA on Sept. 28 with a tough stretch of games awaiting in October.
4. Colorado (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12)
Last Game: Lost vs. Air Force, 30-23
Next Game: Saturday at Arizona State
As good as Colorado looked in the second half vs. Nebraska, they weren’t good enough to deal with prosperity. After a 10-0 start, the Buffaloes were dominated by Air Force, which outscored Ralphie 30-13 the rest of the way. Consistency is the challenge for a new coaching staff, but opportunities still await Mel Tucker’s team starting this week in Tempe.
5. UCLA (0-3, 0-0 Pac-12)
Last Game: Lost vs. Oklahoma, 48-14
Next Game: Saturday at Washington State
The offensive struggles continue for Chip Kelly. Consecutive road trips loom, starting Saturday night in Pullman. Then it’s off to Tucson the following week.
Pac-12 North
1. Oregon (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12)
Next Game: Saturday at Stanford
Last Game: Won vs. Montana, 35-3
What may have looked like a tough road game a few weeks back isn’t looking so daunting now. Stanford’s defense has fallen apart, while the offense can’t keep pace with anyone. The Ducks have been impressive defensively, which will be a key to picking up needed road wins like this one.
2. Washington State (3-0, 0-0 Pac-12)
Next Game: Saturday vs. UCLA
Last Game: Won at Houston, 31-24 (Friday)
The Cougars picked up a quality road win last Friday night. Their defense has been a sound complement to the explosive offense, and there is good opportunity to begin conference play with a win this week before trips to Utah and Arizona State test the mettle of this Mike Leach squad.
3. California (3-0, 1-0 Pac-12)
Next Game: Saturday at Ole Miss
Last game: Won vs. North Texas, 23-17
The Golden Bears are still struggling offensively, but they win with defense. They’ll need that defense this week in Oxford going up against a Rich Rodriguez-coached offense. Unfortunately for Rodriguez, he does not have Khalil Tate with him to beat Cal like he did in 2017.
4. Washington (2-1, 0-1 Pac-12)
Last Game: Won vs. Hawai’i, 52-20
Next Game: Saturday at BYU
The Huskies impressively shook off the loss to Cal with a dominating effort against Hawai’i. Jacob Eason was back on track, and so, too, was the defense. Now Washington needs to grind out a tough win in Provo, something Utah has done but USC failed to do last week.
5. Stanford (1-2, 0-1 Pac-12)
Last Game: Lost at UCF, 45-27
Next Game: Saturday vs. Oregon
Things have gone awry for the Stanford defense, and the offense still can’t establish the ground game. That is a scary formula against Oregon, but a surprise win here could get the Cardinal back on track as a more manageable part of the schedule awaits (at Oregon State, then home vs. Washington, UCLA and Arizona in October).
6. Oregon State (1-2, 0-0 Pac-12)
Last Game: Won vs. Cal Poly, 45-7
Next Game: Idle (vs. Stanford on Sept. 28)
The Beavers finally got a victory, albeit against an FCS program. Now they get a week off before entering conference play. Their offense could be potent enough to threaten Stanford, UCLA, California and Arizona, who await in the next five games.
Dry Heat Sports Top 10
1. Clemson (3-0, 2-0 ACC Atlantic)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Charlotte
Last Game: Won at Syracuse, 41-6
The Tigers haven’t clicked on all cylinders yet, but it’s hard to see anyone challenging them in the ACC. Complacency will be Clemson’s toughest foe.
2. Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC East)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Notre Dame
Last Game: Won vs. Arkansas State, 55-0
One of the premier non-conference games of the regular season, Georgia hosts Notre Dame this week. A convincing win here cements Georgia’s early-season stature, while an Irish win would vault them back into the CFB Playoff discussion for the second year in a row.
3. Alabama (3-0, 1-0 SEC West)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Southern Miss
Last Game: Won at South Carolina, 47-23
The Crimson Tide went on the road and took care of business to open conference play. They step aside from SEC action this week, but appear to be on track for November showdowns against LSU and Auburn that will decide their playoff fate.
4. Ohio State (3-0, 1-0 Big Ten East)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Miami (Ohio)
Last Game: Won at Indiana, 51-10
All things considered, the Buckeyes may be the most impressive team in the country so far, which is why I have bumped them above Oklahoma. Many predicted struggles last week in Bloomington, but Ohio State dominated the Hoosiers, just as it did Cincinnati a week earlier.
5. Oklahoma (3-0, 0-0 Big 12)
Last Game: Won at UCLA, 48-14
Next Game: Sept. 28 vs. Texas Tech
Jalen Hurts and the Sooners have looked impressive early in the season, so it was difficult to drop them a spot. However, they will have plenty of opportunity to move back up. For now, they get a week off before hosting a Red Raiders team that does not appear to be a challenger in the Big 12 this season (and must now replace starting QB Alan Bowman).
6. LSU (3-0, 0-0 SEC West)
Last Game: Won vs. Northwestern State, 65-14
Next Game: Saturday at Vanderbilt
Joe Burrow and the Tigers’ offense has been a revelation early in the season. Now they step into conference play for the first time with a road trip to Vanderbilt. Trouble here would be a big surprise.
7. Utah (3-0, 0-0 Pac-12 South)
Last Game: Won vs. Idaho State, 31-0
Next Game: Friday at USC
After opening the season with a good road win at BYU, the Utes face their first true test in their quest for a Pac-12 Championship. Winning at the Coliseum on short rest won’t be easy, nor will hosting Washington State the following week. We will learn a lot about Utah these next two weeks.
8. Auburn (3-0, 0-0 SEC West)
Last Game: Won vs. Kent State, 55-16
Next Game: Saturday at Texas A&M
Already with one resume win in tow (vs. Oregon in Week 1), Auburn hits the road to face Texas A&M, seeking a resume win of its own. The Tigers may have gotten their offense on track in a blowout last week, and they’ll need to find a way to score some points against a stingy Aggies’ defense.
9. Wisconsin (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten West)
Last Game: Won vs. Central Michigan, 61-0 (Sept. 7)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Michigan
The Badgers have yet to allow a point this season and are coming off a bye entering the first Dry Heat Sports Top 10 matchup of the season. Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium will be fun.
10. Michigan (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten East) *
Next Game: Saturday at Wisconsin
Last Game: Beat Army, 24-21 2OT (Sept. 7)
After escaping with an overtime win against Army, Michigan had a week to rest, recover and, for its sake, hopefully improve. A win at Wisconsin would propel the Wolverines back into the early playoff conversation, though Ohio State appears it may be the class of the Big 10 – again.
Dropped Out: (8) Florida – Fortunate to escape Lexington with a missed field goal late by Kentucky. Also, starting quarterback Feleipe Franks is expected to miss rest of season with an injury.
* New to Dry Heat Sports Top 10
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