The hard part is over.
The tarnished image of the Pacific-10 Conference was given a makeover in the first two weeks of play, and the conference has come out as one of the toughest in the nation.
Impressive wins by UCLA, Southern California and Washington over top-25 teams shocked the college football world and earned credibility for the Pac-10. UCLA’s wins over No. 10 Michigan and No. 15 Alabama, as well as Washington’s 34-29 win over No. 12 Miami, were the most crucial.
Last season, the Pac-10 earned the infamous “Pathetic-10” title after a sub-par showing in the non-conference portion of play. That reputation was confirmed in the postseason when Pac-10 teams lost all but one bowl game — Oregon’s 24-20 victory over Minnesota in the Sun Bowl.
Now, the Pac-10 has the best non-conference record in the nation at 19-4. The conference also has three teams in the AP top 10 and six in the top 35. The conference also has a 5-3 record against top-25 teams.
This week, Pac-10 teams get a breather after a fast start. Besides the Oregon-UCLA match-up, all other games are non-conference contests against teams outside the top 25.
Idaho (0-3) at
Washington State (1-1)
The Vandals will try to rebound from a 42-13 loss at Oregon last weekend with a contest at Washington State, the third Pac-10 non-conference road game for Idaho. The trip won’t be as long for the Vandals, who only have to travel eight miles to Pullman, Wash., from Moscow, Idaho.
Last season, the Vandals upended the Cougars in Pullman, 28-17. Washington State is the only Pac-10 team with a conference loss after a 24-10 loss to Stanford in the season opener.
However, the Cougars looked sharp in a 38-21 win over Utah last week, a game that wasn’t as close as the score depicted. Cougar quarterback Jason Gesser threw four touchdown passes more than 25 yards and earned 211 yards in total offense, a feat that earned him Pac-10 offensive Player of the Week honors.
Washington State has an unusual schedule for this upcoming season, as it alternates between home and away games throughout its schedule. The Ducks visit Pullman on Nov. 4.
San Diego State (0-3) at
Oregon State (2-0)
The Beavers will try to better themselves after escaping with two narrow wins over sub-par opponents including 1-AA opponent Eastern Washington and New Mexico.
After the two non-conference games, two bright spots remain: Junior tailback Ken Simonton, who has carried the Beavers thus far, is the second leading rusher in the nation, and Oregon State has the highest-ranked defense in the Pac-10 and the third-best rushing defense in the nation.
Defensive statistics should improve against the Aztecs and their dismal offense. In three losses this season, San Diego State has scored only 23 points. The Aztecs are familiar with the Pac-10, playing Arizona and Arizona State prior to the Beavers.
The Aztec offense was hurt when junior quarterback Jack Hawley was sidelined for the season with a fractured vertebra. Hawley passed for 338 yards in two games, but completed only one touchdown pass.
The Beavers own a 12-game non-conference win streak, dating back to 1998.
Utah State (1-1) at
Arizona State (2-0)
Arizona State looks to go 3-0 on the season for the first time since its Rose Bowl year in 1997, when the Sun Devils were a perfect 11-0. Arizona State head coach Bruce Snyder will play his former team, which he coached for seven years.
Leading the Sun Devil attack is true freshman Michael Williams, who was thrust into the starting tailback position when the top two on the depth chart went down with injuries. In his first start, Williams rushed for 143 yards and the winning touchdown against Colorado State.
The Sun Devils have the top scoring defense in the Pac-10 after holding its first two opponents to 17 points. However, Arizona State is last in the conference in scoring.
California (1-1) at
Fresno State (0-2)
After a narrow victory and a close loss, California will look to get a big win over winless Fresno State. The Golden Bears nearly upset No. 19 Illinois 17-15 after edging Utah 24-21 in the first two weeks of play.
A win may not be so certain against the Bulldogs, who staged a blazing rally against UCLA last before falling 24-21. Fresno State is led by junior quarterback David Carr, who threw for 249 yards in a season opening loss to Ohio State.
Cal features two Pac-10 Players of the Week. Defensive end Andre Carter was the defensive Player of the Week Sept. 11 and punter Nick Harris was awarded the special teams award Sept. 18.
