The Better of the West provides followers a candid evaluation of the highest groups within the western third of the nation — a set of colleges now scattered throughout 5 conferences: the ACC, Large 12, Large Ten, Pac-12 and Mountain West.
The rankings shall be printed weekly on the Hotline all through the common season.
(All occasions Pacific)
1. Oregon (7-0/4-0 Large Ten)
Final week: 1
Consequence: received at Purdue 35-0
Subsequent up: vs Illinois (12:30 p.m. on CBS)
Remark: As a result of readers would possibly come throughout my AP top-25 poll and have questions, know that Georgia, not Oregon, is my No. 1 workforce this week. The distinction in schedule energy is huge, can’t be ignored and offsets the distinction in information. The Bulldogs (6-1) have performed three high-level video games away from house (Texas, Alabama and Clemson) and received two of them, whereas Oregon’s solely equal matchup was at house (Ohio State). One of the best workforce the Geese (7-0) have performed on the street to date is both Oregon State or UCLA.
2. Brigham Younger (7-0/4-0 Large 12)
Final week: 2
Consequence: beat Oklahoma State 38-35
Subsequent up: at UCF (12:30 p.m. on ESPN)
Remark: Are the Cougars a workforce of future on the fortieth anniversary of their solely nationwide title? We aren’t ready to go there, but. However after the good escape in opposition to Oklahoma State, that point is quick approaching.
3. Boise State (5-1/2-0 Mountain West)
Final week: 3
Consequence: didn’t play
Subsequent up: at UNLV (Friday at 7:30 p.m. on CBSSN)
Remark: In our view, the Broncos are higher off with the additional week to organize and journey to Las Vegas than they might have been in UNLV’s scenario — as the house workforce on Friday however with a brief week of preparation. The additional relaxation means greater than the sport location, particularly for a workforce that already performed Oregon on the street.
4. Washington State (6-1)
Final week: 5
Consequence: beat Hawaii 42-10
Subsequent up: at San Diego State (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports activities Community)
Remark: The chilly, laborious actuality behind WSU’s extremely slim Faculty Soccer Playoff hopes — they’re no larger than 10 % — is that the Cougars want Washington to gather a number of good wins within the Large Ten. That’s proper. They need to be rooting for the Huskies.
5. Colorado (5-2/3-1 Large 12)
Final week: 7
Consequence: received at Arizona 34-7
Subsequent up: vs. Cincinnati (7:15 p.m. on ESPN)
Remark: Had been the Buffaloes that good or was Arizona that dangerous? Sure.
6. UNLV (6-1/2-0 Mountain West)
Final week: 9
Consequence: received at Oregon State 33-25
Subsequent up: vs. Boise State (Friday at 7:30 p.m. on CBSSN)
Remark: It’s good to be UNLV coach Barry Odom. It’s higher to be Barry Odom’s agent, as a result of the fee on Odom’s subsequent contract (with the Rebels or elsewhere) shall be fairly massive however received’t embody all of the strain of really having to educate.
7. Arizona State (5-2/2-2 Large 12)
Final week: 4
Consequence: misplaced at Cincinnati 24-14
Subsequent up: idle
Remark: We’re circling Nov. 9 because the date Arizona State turns into bowl-eligible as a result of enjoying UCF at house is the simplest hurdle to away from the 5 remaining. But when quarterback Sam Leavitt returns later than sooner, the Solar Devils might lose all 5. Such is life on the knife’s edge.
8. USC (3-4/1-4 Large Ten)
Final week: 6
Consequence: misplaced at Maryland 29-28
Subsequent up: vs. Rutgers (Friday at 8 p.m. on Fox)
Remark: To merely change into bowl-eligible, the Trojans should win three of 5 in opposition to a manageable ending schedule: Rutgers (house), Washington (street), Nebraska (house), UCLA (street) and Notre Dame (house). It’s hardly a lock, however we see three wins (or extra) because the most certainly situation.
9. Washington (4-3/2-2 Large Ten)
Final week: 8
Consequence: didn’t play
Subsequent up: at Indiana (9 a.m. on Large Ten Community)
Remark: An especially tough project in Bloomington seems extra favorable with the information that Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke seemingly received’t play due to a thumb damage, per an ESPN report. The Huskies might use the break contemplating their November lineup of opponents.
10. San Jose State (5-2/3-1 Mountain West)
Final week: 15
Consequence: beat Wyoming 24-14
Subsequent up: at Fresno State (5 p.m. on truTV)
Remark: Too excessive for the Spartans? Not when you’ve got seen the groups beneath them play not too long ago. It’s not a fairly sight.
Associated Articles
Faculty Sports activities |
Week 8 evaluation: Unhealthy losses for USC, Cal, Utah; huge wins for UCLA, BYU
Faculty Sports activities |
Mailbag: Large Ten life is unsustainable for USC, UCLA, Oregon and UW
Faculty Sports activities |
Oregon beats OSU on the sector, then beats USC on recruiting path
Faculty Sports activities |
Week 8 picks: Oddsmakers don’t know what to make of the Large 12, both
Faculty Sports activities |
On media: The highest-rated video games of 2024 (to date) and the way they mirror convention realignment
11. Arizona (3-4/1-3 Large 12)
Final week: 10
Consequence: misplaced to Colorado 34-7
Subsequent up: vs. West Virginia (4 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: Not solely is Noah Fifita not enjoying just like the Noah Fifita we anticipated to see, he isn’t enjoying in addition to Jayden de Laura was final yr when he acquired Noah Fifita-ed by Noah Fifita. And if that’s complicated, our apologies. After watching Arizona’s offense, we now have a pounding headache that’s making it tough to suppose clearly.
12. Utah (4-3/1-3 Large 12)
Final week: 11
Consequence: misplaced to TCU 13-7
Subsequent up: at Houston (4 p.m. on ESPN+)
Remark: Each week that ends in the Utes dropping down the Better of the West rankings makes us extra satisfied they are going to win the Holy Warfare and spoil BYU’s dream season. It’s all organising completely, to the purpose that we marvel if it’s a set-up. (Simply kidding.)
13. Cal (3-4/0-4 ACC)
Final week: 12
Consequence: misplaced to NC State 24-23
Subsequent up: vs. Oregon State (1 p.m. on ESPN2)
Remark: It’s not simple to lose 4 video games by a mixed 9 factors until you’re attempting to do it — and even then, we aren’t certain the legal guidelines of soccer physics would enable it. The Bears might need joined a convention on the other coast, however their season is unfolding in an alternate universe.
14. Oregon State (4-3)
Final week: 13
Consequence: misplaced to UNLV 33-25
Subsequent up: at Cal (1 p.m. on ESPN2)
Remark: It says loads in regards to the state of this system when the Beavers lose at house to a Mountain West opponent and the one shocking factor is that they have been in place to drive time beyond regulation. The stretch run is hard. We anticipate OSU to be house for the vacations.
15. UCLA (2-5/1-4 Large Ten)
Final week: Not ranked
Consequence: received at Rutgers 35-32
Subsequent up: idle
Remark: That was the UCLA workforce we anticipated to see all alongside — a workforce that’s moderately competent on either side of the ball however finishes nearer to the underside of the Large Ten than the highest due to a rugged schedule. It simply took seven video games for the Bruins to get there.
*** Ship strategies, feedback and ideas (confidentiality assured) to [email protected] or name 408-920-5716
*** Observe me on the social media platform X: @WilnerHotline
