Roundup: Utah has learned how to finish
You know what has become clear over the last few weeks? It’s that the Utes have learned how to finish games. Utah came from behind to beat USC on a 1-yard touchdown pass with eight seconds left, and Kyle Goon of the Salt Lake Trib says it was a turning point for the program. Heckuva win for Utah as it achieves bowl eligibility for the first time in three years.
Steve Sarkisian announced Sunday that USC left tackle Chad Wheeler is out for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee. He actually played a few more snaps after tearing it in the third play of the game against Utah. Here’s to a full recovery.
The first College Football Playoff Top 25 comes out Tuesday afternoon – who’s gonna be where? Anybody’s guess for now, but Pat Forde believes Oregon will be ranked third, as do ESPN's Brad Edwards and Danny Kanell. Forde rounds out his top for with Mississippi State No. 1, Florida State No. 2 and Auburn at No. 4.
What did we learn about UCLA in its 40-37 double-overtime win at Colorado? The Los Angeles Times is here to answer some questions. Also, kudos to Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr, who scored the game-winning touchdown on a fumble recovery in overtime.
The team has been so, so close so, so often in Pac-12 play this year, and now Colorado football is hoping to “flip the script” in its last four games, pens Kyle Ringo. Standing at 2-6, the Buffs need go perfect from here on out to achieve bowl eligibility.
After a 24-10 win over Washington on the road, Arizona State’s defense is “showing signs of improvement,” writes Athlon Sports. Welcome back, Taylor Kelly.
Tough to judge Troy Williams in his first collegiate start because of the poor playing conditions, but Chris Petersen said that he expects Washington quarterback Cyler Miles to return as the starter on Saturday at Colorado. Miles was limited in practice last week with concussion-like symptoms.
Impressive stuff from the Wildcats on Saturday. After the 59-37 triumph over the Cougs in Pullman, Greg Hansen of the Arizona Daily Star wrote that Arizona poured it on Washington State with a relentless attack (scoring on its first five possessions) and lethal pass rush (Wazzu didn’t score on its first five possessions and Connor Halliday was sacked four times).
Mike Leach said after the game that his Washington State football team needs to relax a little bit out on the field, thinking his team has become a little hesitant as a result of wanting to “be as precise and specific as possible.”
David Lombardi provides some analysis on Stanford’s 38-14 win over Oregon State. The no-huddle attack looked good on the Farm Boys. While Stanford football got right, former Stanford basketball player Josh Childress got ejected from an Australian pro league game for elbowing a player in an act of retaliation. Childress, normally a very class act, has since apologized:
I acted out of character and I apologize. I thank the many fans who have offered their support! It means a lot!!! pic.twitter.com/4SsNgETT6z
— Josh Childress (@JChillin) October 25, 2014
The Oregon State defense “wilted” under the pressure of Stanford’s no-huddle attack, allowing 330 yards and 28 points in the first half (credit Gina Mizell of The Oregonian). Speaking of wilting defense, Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe shook Jared Cunningham out of his shoes and off the court – literally, off the court. In happier Cunningham news, the former Beaver made the Los Angeles Clippers’ opening day roster after having an otherwise impressive preseason stint.
Sonny Dykes and Co. are doing their part to put together tough future resumes – Cal added Auburn to its schedule in 2019 and 2020, with the Golden Bears heading to SEC country in 2019 and the Tigers making the return trip in 2020.