With each passing week, the Pac-12 Championship Game picture, as well as the College Football Playoff picture, becomes more clear and defined. Week 10 of the college football season was no different, as it had major implications for the Pac-12 title game that’s rapidly approaching.
No. 5 Washington outlasts No. 20 USC in 52-42 shootout
People were excited to see the Michael Penix Jr. vs. Caleb Williams Heisman-hopeful matchup in the Coliseum on Saturday. However, it was Washington (9-0, 6-0 Pac-12) running back Dillon Johnson that stole the show with 26 carries for a whopping 256 rushing yards and four scores. For a Huskies offense that relies so heavily on the passing game, Washington demonstrating its running strength could be even more concerning for future opponents. The Huskies host the Utes (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12) next Saturday.
Are the Trojans spiraling? They’ve now lost three of their last four games to fall to 7-3 and 5-2 in the conference. USC was beaten in the time-of-possession battle and didn’t have a response for each of Washington’s many scores. Although all three of the Trojans’ losses have come to ranked opponents, USC’s schedule gets no easier with a night game against Oregon (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12) looming next week.
Arizona dominates No. 19 UCLA with 27-10 win
The Wildcats now have three straight wins against ranked opponents. Arizona (6-3, 4-2 Pac-12) was all over UCLA in Tucson and clinched bowl eligibility for the first time since 2017. The Wildcats may be playing some of the best football in the country right now and should have no problem dismantling the struggling Buffaloes (4-5, 1-5 Pac-12) next week.
It didn’t help the Bruins when both starting quarterback Ethan Garbers and backup quarterback Dante Moore left Saturday’s game with an injury. But UCLA (6-3, 3-3 Pac-12) was already facing a significant deficit to the Wildcats when the injuries occurred. The Bruins’ offense just isn’t up to par with a conference that boasts so many high-powered offenses. UCLA will host Arizona State (2-7, 1-5 Pac-12) in Week 11.
No. 16 Oregon State earns 26-19 road win over Colorado
Oregon State’s (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12) offense didn’t look great in its seventh win of the season, but it was good enough. The Beavers were able to overcome two turnovers and relied on their defense to pick up another crucial conference victory. The Beavers have a favorable matchup with Stanford (3-6, 2-5 Pac-12) on the docket next Saturday.
The magic of Colorado’s hot start has completely worn off. Its offense is one of the worst in the conference. The Buffaloes had just 238 total yards of offense and allowed four sacks in Saturday’s loss. For a team that started 3-0, the Buffs’ unlikelihood to make a bowl game could dampen what was once a very promising season. Colorado plays red-hot Arizona in Week 11.
No. 18 Utah dismantles Arizona State 55-3
The Utes bounced back from getting blown out by Oregon by dealing a smackdown of their own. Led by a collective ground attack that combined for 352 rushing yards, Utah scored twice in each quarter to earn an impressive 55-3 win over the struggling Sun Devils. The Utes will face a big road test next week at Washington, the current Pac-12 standings leader.
Arizona State was never expected to compete with the better teams in the conference this year, and that includes Utah. The Sun Devils were outmatched in every aspect of Saturday’s game and limited to 83 total yards of offense. ASU travels for a game against UCLA in Week 11.
Stanford earns second conference win 10-7 over Washington State
Stanford didn’t play well, but was good enough to find victory in Pullman. In a game that combined for 462 total yards (and only 79 of them rushing) the Cardinal were the better of two bad teams and found a way to win. They play Oregon State in Week 11.
Washington State started 4-0 this season and was once a ranked team. Since then, the Cougars have lost five straight games and are tied for last in the Pac-12. Washington State accumulated just four rushing yards against Stanford, and it’s nearly impossible to win putting up stats like that. The Cougars play Cal (3-6, 1-5 Pac-12) next week.
