Week 6 in the Pac-12 only featured five games with Colorado and California on bye weeks. However, all five matchups were compelling and either provided entertainment or a stunning result. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from this weekend within the conference.
UCLA’s the Top Team in the Pac-12
It has been a rapid rise for the UCLA Bruins over the past two weeks. First, they trounced No. 15 Washington 40-32. Now, they’ve beaten No. 11 Utah 42-32. That’s two victories over AP ranked opponents in consecutive weeks. They are now a Top 15 team, and they are certainly deserving of that recognition.
The Utes were the preseason favorite to win the Pac-12, and the Bruins dismantled them. This was the third consecutive game Chip Kelly’s offense registered at least 40 points and 499 total offensive yards. The Utes didn’t have any way to stop Dorian Thompson-Robinson or Zach Charbonnet. However, that’s been a tough task for anyone facing UCLA this year.
The Bruins have a Top 10 scoring offense and a Top 40 defense. As a result, they’ve been able to pass every test put in front of them with Utah being the latest one. In the past, the Bruins have faltered in these big games, but Kelly’s group seems different this year. The explosive offense combined with an opportunistic defense makes them a serious contender for the Pac-12 Title, and maybe a College Football Playoff berth too.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson Finally Living Up to the Hype
One reason why the Bruins’ offense has been as lethal as its ever been during Kelly’s tenure is because of Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The fifth-year senior is having the best season of his career, and it isn’t debatable. At the halfway point of the season, DTR has completed 74.8% of his passes. He has thrown for 1,510 passing yards with a 15-2 TD-INT ratio. He has also added 223 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
His talent has never been the issue during his tenure at UCLA. It’s been his decision-making. In the past, DTR would struggle with turnovers, accuracy, and knowing when to use his mobility. In parts, that inconsistency would result in UCLA dropping a game or two that they shouldn’t have. However, it’s better to have someone figure it out later as opposed to never.
So far this season, he’s been able to put it altogether. As a result, he and UCLA are 6-0, and cruising into their bye week with a lot of momentum. It’ll be interesting to see how he keeps this up because he’s definitely on the shortlist for Pac-12 Player of the Year, and maybe some national awards too.
https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1578844132008947713
Beavers “Pac-12 After Dark” Magic Again!
In Week 2, the Oregon State Beavers scored a buzzer-beating touchdown to beat Fresno State. Well, OSU has done it again a month later against the Stanford Cardinal. Down 27-22 with 25 seconds left on their own 44-yard-line, quarterback Ben Gulbranson found Tre’Shaun Harrison.
https://twitter.com/bubbaprog/status/1578997115577315329
The touchdown capped a 14-point fourth quarter comeback for the Beavers, and overshadows a litany of issues OSU had during the game. They missed a field goal early and gifted scoring opportunities to Stanford with multiple penalties. Nonetheless, OSU got the 28-27 win they desperately needed after back-to-back losses to USC and Utah. Also, major kudos to Gulbranson, who had 250 passing yards and two TD passes in his first collegiate start.
UW Faceplants in the Desert
While UCLA’s stock has rise in the past two weeks, Washington’s stock has plummeted over that time span. The Huskies travelled to Tempe in hopes of getting a rebound win. Instead, they are heading to back to Seattle on a two-game losing streak after a 45-38 loss to Arizona State.
UW’s inability to get off the field on key downs appeared for the second straight week. The Sun Devils converted nine out of 13 third downs into first downs. As a result, they managed to stay in front of the Huskies for much of the game.
The result had UW tumbling out of the Top 25, and deservedly so. The Washington offense led by Michael Penix Jr. is truly lethal. However, it was probably an overreaction have the Huskies jump from unranked to Top 20 after their win over then No. 11 Michigan State in Week 3.
Bo Nix on Pac-12 POY Shortlist… And Heisman?
There’s not many players in the nation playing better than Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix. In Oregon’s 49-22 victory over Arizona, he scored three rushing touchdowns, which is the second time he’s had a three-rushing TD game and the fifth straight game he’s accounted for at least three TDs.
After his disastrous Ducks debut against Georgia, Nix has been one of college football top performers. In the past five games, he has a 74.3 completion percentage, 1,303 passing yards, a 12-1 passing TD-INT ratio, 294 rushing yards and eight rushing TDs (most in Pac-12).
Nix is one of the frontrunners for the Pac-12 Player of the Year alongside DTR and USC’s Caleb Williams. It will be interesting to see if he can recognition for the Heisman or other national awards as the season moves forward. He’s still a longshot for the Heisman. However, it’s interesting to see his odds compared to Williams, because Nix’s numbers are similar, if not better.