My oh my, what a weekend of college football. Pandemonium struck in Eugene, where Jordan Williamson’s redemption sent Stanford to an overtime upset victory over previously undefeated Oregon. It was all about defense for the Cardinal, and it should be no surprise that Shayne Skov was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week for his 10-tackle performance.
The loss dropped the Ducks to No. 5 in the newest BCS standings, but Oregon’s national title chances aren’t completely shot; the Ducks need three teams ahead of them to lose (and win themselves, of course). The reason for the loss on Saturday night? The Ducks finally had a team punch them in the mouth, write the fans.
UCLA is the little brother in Los Angeles no more – the Bruins claimed the Pac-12 South by knocking off USC in the Rose Bowl. This win should have Bruins fans thinking big. After this weekend, it’s evident that UCLA and Stanford have pushed past expectations. As a bonus, we might see them play each other two weeks in a row!
The loss for the Trojans was their fourth in the season, about four more than many people expected. Against UCLA, Matt Barkley’s game and season got picked apart, and now Max Wittek will start at quarterback for the injured Barkley against Notre Dame.
The Pac-12′s dreams of sending a ninth team to a bowl game were dashed when Arizona scored 17 fourth-quarter points to propel the Wildcats to a 34-24 victory over Utah. Thanks to the 204 yards rushing he had against the Utes, Ka’Deem Carey now leads the nation in rushing.
It was a loss in which Utah squandered opportunities against Arizona and, as a result, the Utes won’t go bowling for the first time in a decade.
The other night game saw Cal get crushed by Oregon State, 62-14. Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion was “pretty sharp” in the win against the Golden Bears. If offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf’s definition of “pretty sharp” is 325 yards passing and four touchdown tosses, I’d love to know what his definition of just plain ole “sharp” or “very sharp” is. The win for the Beavers sets up a decently-sized showdown in the Civil War. Oh, only BCS bowl and potential Pac-12 Football Championship Game implications in a battle between fierce foes. That’s all!
Elsewhere in the Pac-12 North, the Huskies are rolling. Four wins in a row for Steve Sarkisian and crew, the latest one courtesy of Keith Price’s five touchdown passes to lead the Huskies to a 38-3 victory over Colorado. That mark tied a school record.
Despite giving up 38 points and 476 yards of total offense, there were bright spots for Colorado’s defense. The Buffs didn’t give up a score until there was 1:02 remaining in the first half and only trailed 7-0 to the Huskies at the break. There wasn’t much good to say about the offense, though, and Connor Wood acknowledged his struggles as the Buffs’ starting quarterback in that game.
Arizona State broke a four-game losing streak and became bowl eligible by dominating Washington State, 46-7, a result that proved this year’s team is different from the 2011 squad that lost five in a row to end the season.
Another blowout loss for Washington State, and it has become pretty clear that the Cougars just aren’t having any fun this year.