Roundup: Washington solidifies spot in College Football Playoff race
Graham Watson of Yahoo Sports writes that Washington is still in the College Football Playoff hunt after surviving a 31-24 scare at Utah. Casting the vote I don’t have for Jake Browning to be named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week.
Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert had a record-setting day to lead the Ducks to a 54-35 win against Arizona State. Herbert’s 489 passing yards tied Bill Musgrave’s Oregon record, helping the Ducks snap a five-game losing skid. He also rushed for 23 yards to give him 512 yards of total offense, also an Oregon record.
Kyle Bonagura writes about the emergence of Ronald Jones and Aca’Cedric Ware at running back with Justin Davis out for USC. The Trojans have rushed for 300 yards in each of their last two games with Davis on the sidelines.
Despite having a bye, Colorado football moved up to No. 21 in the AP poll thanks to losses from teams above it (the Buffs are also 20th in the coaches poll).
Speaking of polling, Washington State earned its first AP ranking of the season after its 35-31 win at Oregon State (not an easy place to play), coming in at No. 25. So much for that 0-2 start that included a loss to an FCS school.
Kyle Goon writes that the loss to Washington showed Utah what it needs to shore up during its bye week. The Utes actually moved up a spot to No. 16 in the AP poll following the close loss to the Dawgs.
Andi Sullivan scored twice to lead No. 3 Stanford women’s soccer to a 2-1 win at Arizona State, giving the Cardinal sole possession of first place in the Pac-12 in the process.
Have you seen the tear Russell Westbrook is on to start the NBA season? Eric Freeman of Yahoo Sports has the skinny. It’s only three games, but Russ is averaging 38.7 points, 12.3 rebounds and 11.7 assists so far this year.
Michael Lev writes that the Arizona football offense is “headed in the wrong direction” following its 34-10 loss to Stanford, a game in which it gained just 286 yards of offense.
Shane Theodore of House of Sparky gives us three takeaways from Arizona State’s loss at Oregon. The Sun Devils have now lost three straight after a 5-1 start to the season.
The Oregonian/OregonLive Oregon State beat reporters Gina Mizell and Danny Moran recap the Beavers’ loss to Washington State in video form.
Jon Wilner grades Cal’s loss to USC. The Golden Bears get a C for their efforts.