Week 1: What We Learned in the PAC-12

[Bingo415]

 

 

1. The Desert schools are ready for a big season

Arizona went into Death Valley (Louisiana version) and came out with a big win against the Tigers. Meanwhile, ASU thoroughly dominated UNLV in Vegas in the late PAC-12 After Dark game. Both squads look solid already, with good QB play. ASU QB Don Drabek was an efficient 16-20 for 199 yards passing, and added 144 on the ground for an impressive debut. Not to be outdone, Arizona QB Derron Humphrey tallied 239 yards rushing (!!!) while adding another 226 through the air, with 2 TDs (and 3 picks). How well the QBs play going forward will determine where the Arizona schools end up in the PAC-12 South pecking order, which will likely be dominated by the traditional PAC-10 entries (USC, UCLA).

 

2. CAL's D and USC's O showed out...as expected

California's Defensive unit came into the season as the top ranked D, by talent, in the country. True to form, CAL held Ball State to 230 yards of offense while racking up 11 TFLs and 2 sacks. CAL also looked on the other side of the ball, with QB Nick Mazzarro throwing for 328 yards and two scores. USC, meanwhile, was known to have a potent offense. In preseason scrimmages, SC was found to be particularly potent through the air with QB Brandon O'Grady. On Saturday, O'Grady continued his hot play with 401 yards on 30 of 46 passing for a score and a pick. USC edged a game Army squad for the win at home, 24-20. One could easily see these two teams matching strength-on-strength in the PAC-12 title game at the end of the season.

 

3. Oregon and Utah--especially Utah--are going to struggle

Oregon lost at Purdue to a motivated Boilermakers team. While they scored 24, the offense didn't seem to have too many weapons, and Purdue is firmly in the middle of the B1G pecking order. Utah, meanwhile, got ripped by Alabama, and it's unclear of Alabama's coach sent in a game plan. Ouch. Utah is the least talented P5 roster in the sim, so it's going to be a long season in SLC. Oregon has some work to do to be mediocre. We'll see where the season takes the Ducks.

 

4. Washington--and maybe Colorado??!?!--might be better than we thought

Wow, did the Huskies look good kicking Penn State's tail. Their 31-7 neutral site win over the Nittany Lions was really impressive, owing to a balanced offense and timely forced fumble. Otherwise, it was nothing spectacular for the Huskies but the final score. Colorado, the other neutral site winner from the PAC-12's first weeks, beat a talented and well-coached Colorado State team in Denver. The Buffs closed late to win a back-and-forth game. QB Wes Gore must continue to play decently well for the Buffaloes to have any chance in the PAC-12 South this season, whereas Washington looks ready to challenge CAL and Oregon State for tops in the North.