By Jack Follman, SuperWest Sports
October 17, 2022
Each week during the 2022 college football season, I’ll give you my 10 quick thoughts about what happened in the previous weekend’s games here in the West, primarily in the Pac-12.
Week Seven leveled the playing field between Utah and USC while also setting the stage for an epic battle between Oregon and UCLA.
Those four teams seem destined to battle it out for the two spots in the Pac-12 Championship Game, but teams such as Oregon State, Washington, WSU, and Stanford could play the spoiler.
In any case, the outcome of College GameDay’s featured contest in Eugene will leave us with a new leader atop the Conference, at least for a week.
Here are my quick takes on last weekend’s action.
1. It’s Going to be an Outright Slugfest up Top
It lacks a powerhouse true Playoff contender, but the teams are good and are going to keep having classic games winding down into which two will make the Conference Championship game.
2. The Offensive Player of the Year Award also is a Battle
The quarterbacks in the conference are filling it up and stepping up in big moments. Rising really put together a signature game, willing Utah into a massive one-point win over USC.
3. Don’t Write off Utah Yet
With Cam Rising and Dalton Kincaid and a proven coaching staff, the Utes got it done against USC and still have a great chance to get another Pac-12 championship, possibly with a rematch against the Bruins.
4. We’re Back to Basketball Games
The years of struggling Pac-12 offenses and quarterbacks are over.
A good chunk of the teams in the Conference can easily rip off 40-plus against just about anyone they play in the Pac-12.
5. The Defenses Aren’t Great
The Conference has turned into the Big 12 where teams are borderline having to outscore each other to win every game.
6. Oregon vs. UCLA is the Biggest Pac-12 Game in a While
I think everyone is signed up for this game and it should bring some eyeballs out West as we likely wind down the Pac-12 as we know it.
7. Don’t Forget about the Beavers
That doesn’t mean they aren’t a scary opponent for teams like Oregon and Washington and any other team that could get to 10 wins.
8. Washington is all Offense, no Defense
They’re very, very improved in Deboer’s first year, but do need to find some kind of defense soon or they’ll be capable of losing to just about anyone.
9. What is Stanford?
The Cardinal should be 3-3 and still could be a team that gets to a bowl game.
Notre Dame sucks. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t big for Stanford to get a win in South Bend.
10. The Justin Wilcox Era at Cal is Probably on its Last Legs
After losing to one of the worst Power Conference teams anyone has ever seen, it just really feels like the Wilcox era has reached the beginning of the end at Cal.
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Jack Follman’s 10 Thoughts on 2023 Week 1 in the Pac-12
> The Conference was at its best with every member team winning—most of them handily - September 5, 2023 -
Jack Follman’s 2023 Pac-12 Season Predictions: Weeks 9-13
> Scores for every game with commentary on top contests, plus projected standings and title game - August 17, 2023 -
Jack Follman’s 2023 Pac-12 Season Predictions: Weeks 5-8
> Early picks with scores for every game and commentary for top contests & projected standings - August 16, 2023