Pac 10 Power Poll and Week Three Review

As predicted here the Pac 10 went 4-0 versus the Big 12 though the whole nation is up in arms regarding the Oregon-Oklahoma game. I lucked out and had seats at the 50-yard line. At the game folks didn’t know that the bad calls had occurred because reviewed plays aren’t often showed on the replay screen. After the game to a T every Oklahoma fan I talked to was gracious in defeat though they all seemed a bit stunned, their fans showed a lot of class at the stadium. The reaction since then has not been so classy particularly the actions of the OU President, but I can understand the anger of Sooner Nation, had the rolls been reversed I’d feel cheated too. As a Duck fan I am happy with the win but the outcome will be forever tainted but what is being forgotten is that Oklahoma had 3 or 4 chances to complete seal the win and failed. Unfortunately, humans make mistakes and this what happened with the officials in Eugene last weekend, there was no conspiracy afoot. This shouldn’t take anything away from the heart that the Oregon players showed on the field to come back and win and they never gave up when all looked to be lost. Looking to this week the slate is fairly dull outside of the key Cal-ASU game in Berkeley. The loser of this match-up will likely be out of the Pac 10 race in September.

1. USC (1) - USC didn’t put up as many points as I thought in this game but they are clearly a better team on the defensive side of the ball in 2006 compared to 2005 and John David Booty has played mistake free football. USC may lose this season but it certainly won’t be in Tucson Arizona this week.
2. UO (2) - Well Oregon certainly can’t complain about a lack of media attention any more. This is a great time for a bye-week. Hopefully the players and coaches will be focusing on the Arizona State Sun Devils rather than the thinking about what they have accomplished so far this year.
3. ASU (3) – Nice road win in Boulder, taking Rudy Carpenter’s record as a starter to 7-1. ASU can clearly throw the ball down the field which is something Cal is having major problems stopping. If ASU can sweep the next two games they could likely find themselves a Top 10 team.
4. Cal (4) – From all indications the Bears didn’t play well against 1-AA Portland State who by the end of the game was down to their third string quarterback. Cal is among the lowest ranked teams in the nation against the pass right now and playing ASU is not going to remedy that. I look for the Sun Devils to beat the Bears in Strawberry Canyon leading what will ultimately be a disappointing year in Berkeley.
5. UCLA (5) – Suddenly a game at Husky Stadium doesn’t look like an automatic win anymore. UCLA had two weeks to remedy a down performance against Rice so I think they will find a way to win in Seattle.
6. WSU (6) – A two-point win over Baylor is nothing to brag about but Baylor is an improved team. The Cougs are close to facing a major QB controversy but getting to play Stanford should allay that issue for a week. I think Alex Brink will get back on track and won’t have to hear any boo-birds while playing on the road.
7. UW (7) – They beat a tough Fresno team on a blocked extra-point which is a nice win for the Dawgs. Willingham has got his team believing but we shall see if the fans come along for the ride. UW faces a rested UCLA team that hasn’t faced much of a challenge this year so the results of this game should show who of these two schools are for real this year.
8. OSU (8) – Mike Riley cannot ill afford any type of slip-up to Dennis Erickson’s Vandals. Not much more needs to be said here.
9. U of A (9) – The Wildcats for their sake better hope they were looking ahead to USC. The Cats kept 1-AA Stephen F. Austin in the game for way too long and Stoops passing game seems very sub-par. Hosting the Trojans will be too big of a test for Arizona who will then need to lick their wounds and recover before they face some beatable Pac 10 teams in their quest for a job saving bowl for Mike Stoops.
10. Stanford (10) – Getting blown out by Navy at home is not a good thing. Now Stanford has lost their starting WR’s and starting halfback for the season. This Stanford team faces an excellent shot at going 0-11 and being the worst Pac 10 team since Joe Avezanno’s early 80’s OSU squads.