The Better of the West gives followers a candid evaluation of the highest groups within the western third of the nation — a group of faculties now scattered throughout 5 conferences: the ACC, Massive 12, Massive Ten, Pac-12 and Mountain West.
The rankings will likely be revealed weekly on the Hotline all through the common season.
(All occasions Pacific)
1. Utah (3-0)
Final week: 1
End result: received at Utah State 38-21
Subsequent up: at Oklahoma State (1 p.m. on Fox)
Remark: Two weeks from immediately, we’ll know the Utes’ place within the Massive 12 race. In the event that they sweep Oklahoma State and Arizona — the latter seems extra like a quiz than a check — the trail into the convention championship recreation will likely be large open. Keep in mind, the Utes don’t play Kansas State and have Iowa State at house.
2. USC (2-0)
Final week: 2
End result: idle
Subsequent up: at Michigan (12:30 p.m. on CBS)
Remark: The Massive Ten did USC a stable with the additional week to organize for the Massive Home, however the Wolverines had a straightforward sufficient time with Arkansas State (21-3 getting into the fourth quarter) that we don’t see a considerable aggressive edge for the Trojans. Additionally, Michigan hasn’t left house but.
3. Oregon (3-0)
Final week: 3
End result: received at Oregon State 49-14
Subsequent up: idle
Remark: The Dillon Gabriel offense lastly seemed just like the Bo Nix offense whereas Bryce Boettcher protection seemed similar to the — that’s proper, we mentioned the Bryce Boettcher protection. The baseball player-turned-linebacker had 11 tackles and set the tone early by breaking apart two passes. From there, the Geese have been near flawless.
4. Boise State (1-1)
Final week: 4
End result: idle
Subsequent up: vs. Portland State (6:45 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: In case you missed the information, know that the Portland State recreation is in jeopardy due to a whooping cough outbreak on the Vikings’ roster, which pressured them to cancel Saturday’s date with South Dakota. Looks like a scenario straight out of 1950 … or 2020.
5. Washington State (3-0)
Final week: 9
End result: beat Washington 24-19
Subsequent up: vs. San Jose State (Friday at 7 p.m. on The CW)
Remark: One secondary growth in a momentous week for the Cougars: John Mateer made sufficient performs together with his arm to recommend the sophomore may grow to be an elite all-around quarterback, not only a runner who’s hit-or-miss from the pocket.
6. Cal (3-0)
Final week: 7
End result: beat San. Diego State 31-10
Subsequent up: at Florida State (4 p.m. on ESPN2)
Remark: Finest Cal workforce of the Justin Wilcox period? We’re leaning that means after seeing a stout protection, stable play alongside the offensive line and effectivity from quarterback Fernando Mendoza. And don’t look now, however the Bears have an exponentially higher likelihood to be 4-0 (for the primary time since 2019) than anybody may have imagined.
7. Arizona (2-1)
Final week: 5
End result: misplaced at Kansas State 31-7
Subsequent up: idle
Remark: The Wildcats are beginning to seem like Colorado with their outsized reliance on a quarterback-receiver mixture. Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan are comparable in manufacturing to Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, however that’s no technique to contend for a convention title. They want extra manufacturing from tailback Quali Conley and the working recreation.
8. Washington (2-1)
Final week: 6
End result: misplaced to Washington State 24-19
Subsequent up: vs. Northwestern (4 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: Primarily based on what we’ve seen from the Huskies, they need to deal with Northwestern for victory No. 3. Past the Wildcats, it’s troublesome to seek out three extra wins, particularly with how nicely Indiana is enjoying. And that, of us, is precisely why the Apple Cup was so essential to UW’s bowl math.
9. UNLV (3-0)
Final week: 13
End result: received at Kansas 23-20
Subsequent up: idle
Remark: It seems Memphis, Northern Illinois and Boise State have competitors for the School Soccer Playoff berth that goes to the highest workforce within the Group of 5. And if this season is an audition for the Rebels with a Pac-12 invitation within the steadiness, their timing is ideal.
10. Arizona State (3-0)
Final week: 8
End result: received at Texas State 31-28
Subsequent up: at Texas Tech (12:30 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: Full credit score the Solar Devils for a gritty efficiency at Texas State and their stunning begin. However the Hotline is all about context, so we really feel compelled to level out: 1) Wyoming is 0-3 after shedding at house to Idaho and Brigham Younger; and a couple of) Mississippi State simply obtained blown out at house by Toledo. That mentioned, all you are able to do is beat the groups on the schedule.
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11. Brigham Younger (3-0)
Final week: 10
End result: received at Wyoming 34-14
Subsequent up: vs. Kansas State (7:30 p.m. on ESPN)
Remark: As we famous within the Arizona State remark, Wyoming is struggling underneath the management of a first-year coach, Jay Sawvel, so don’t give BYU’s 20-point win a lot weight. Even so, the Cougars are as nicely positioned for achievement within the Massive 12 as they might have hoped apart from the accidents to their prime tailbacks.
12. Colorado (2-1)
Final week: 12
End result: received at Colorado State 28-9
Subsequent up: vs. Baylor (5 p.m. on Fox)
Remark: All issues thought-about, the victory in Fort Collins is on the quick record of most spectacular wins within the Deion Sanders period. Certain, there have solely been six wins within the Sanders period, however the Buffaloes have been stable on each side of scrimmage and seemed like they may very well be aggressive within the Massive 12.
13. Oregon State (2-1)
Final week: 11
End result: misplaced to Oregon 49-14
Subsequent up: vs. Purdue (5:30 p.m. on The CW)
Remark: In case you’re in search of hope within the aftermath of a wipeout, contemplate this: Dangerous as they seemed, the Beavers ought to win their subsequent three (Purdue, Colorado State and Nevada), which might propel them to the brink of a postseason berth with six video games left. However a single loss to that aforementioned trio makes the bowl math difficult.
14. UCLA (1-1/0-1 Massive Ten)
Final week: 15
End result: misplaced to Indiana 42-13
Subsequent up: at LSU (12:40 p.m. on ABC)
Remark: We have now seen nothing from the Bruins to date — Hawaii simply obtained blown out by Sam Houston State, in case you missed it — to recommend first-year coach DeShaun Foster is able to thrive in his position. Then once more, the Foster rent, just like the transfer into the Massive Ten, was a play for the lengthy haul, not the current.
15. Stanford (1-1)
Final week: 15
End result: idle
Subsequent up: at Syracuse (Friday at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN)
Remark: We gave critical consideration to San Jose State for this spot following a 3-0 begin underneath new coach Ken Niumatalolo. However a victory over winless Kennesaw State wasn’t sufficient to vault them over a workforce that didn’t lose.
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