Welcome to a brand new characteristic on the Hotline — an evaluation of the eight groups within the rebuilt Pac-12 as in the event that they have been competing within the convention this season. We’ll even acknowledge one fortunate staff because the regular-season champion. The ability rankings might be printed every Sunday all through the common season.
(All occasions Pacific)
1. Texas State (1-0)
End result: beat Japanese Michigan 52-27
Subsequent up: at UTSA (12:30 p.m. on ESPN+)
Remark: The bottom recreation was insane with 392 yards on simply 39 carries. If the Bobcats handle even half that manufacturing frequently, freshman quarterback Brad Jackson’s job turns into immensely simpler … and the fictional Pac-12 title comes inside straightforward attain. (And talking of half that manufacturing: Texas State rushed for 195 yards final 12 months within the blowout victory over UTSA.)
2. Utah State (1-0)
End result: beat UTEP 28-16
Subsequent up: at Texas A&M (9:45 a.m. on SEC Community)
Remark: That Mendenhall magic didn’t take lengthy to materialize. It’s just a few weeks too early to pronounce a full turnaround underway in Logan, however the earliest return is encouraging, and we all know quarterback Bryson Barnes, the previous Utah switch, is able to main the way in which.
3. Colorado State (0-1)
End result: misplaced at Washington 38-21
Subsequent up: vs. Northern Colorado (4 p.m. on Mountain West Community)
Remark: Pretty typical exhibiting by the Rams towards an influence convention opponent: just a few large performs, just a few large errors, loads of grit and moxie — simply not fairly adequate to face agency for 4 quarters. However because it pertains to success over the following three months, there was loads to love within the efficiency.
4. Fresno State (1-1)
End result: beat Georgia Southern 42-14
Subsequent up: at Oregon State (12:30 p.m. on The CW)
Remark: We completely didn’t count on a blowout victory towards a veteran Solar Belt opponent that received eight video games final season, however the Week 0 expertise at Kansas undoubtedly helped the Bulldogs repair their flaws and hone their execution. The affect of halftime teaching changes is commonly overstated, however FSU’s 29-0 margin within the third and fourth quarters Saturday night time suggests Matt Entz and his employees made all the best strikes.
5. Boise State (0-1)
End result: misplaced at South Florida 34-7
Subsequent up: vs. Japanese Washington (Friday, 6 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: The Broncos nonetheless have a path into the School Soccer Playoff after face-planting in Tampa however have to dominate the Mountain West and look good at Notre Dame in October, they usually want USF to complete second or third within the American. Good luck with all that.
6. San Diego State (1-0)
End result: beat Stony Brook 42-0
Subsequent up: at Washington State (7:15 p.m. on The CW)
Remark: The Hotline is hesitant to attract any conclusions from the win over Stony Brook, which competes within the Coastal Athletic Affiliation of the FCS, however coach Sean Lewis’ observe file suggests the Aztecs might be markedly higher this season. Kent State improved by 5 wins, from 2-10 to 7-6, in his second season with the Golden Flashes in 2019. A morsel of readability will come this week.
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7. Washington State (1-0)
End result: beat Idaho 13-10
Subsequent up: vs. San Diego State (7:15 p.m. on The CW)
Remark: Our expectations for the Cougars have been low given the brand new teaching employees and inexperienced quarterbacks and roster turnover. And nonetheless, they didn’t clear the bar. How a staff can run for 3 yards on 22 makes an attempt towards an FCS opponent is past our comprehension, even after watching all of it unfold.
8. Oregon State (0-1)
End result: misplaced to Cal 34-15
Subsequent up: vs. Fresno State (12:30 p.m. on The CW)
Remark: To not sound the alarm … however we’re sounding the alarm: If the Beavers lose Saturday, their first win may be an extended, very long time coming. The schedule turns harder in Week 3 by an order of magnitude with journeys to Texas Tech and Oregon after which a sneaky-tough residence date with Houston.
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