Itap worth addressing now that we’re into November and Oregon is without a blemish in conference play.
The Ducks are on the brink — more precisely: they’re on the edge of the precipice of the brink — of making Pac-12 history.
Since the addition of the Arizona schools in 1978, only seven teams have gone undefeated and untied in conference play.
And only one team has gone 9-0.
Notable: Neither of the Pac-12’s participants in the College Football Playoff — Oregon in 2014 and Washington in 2016 — ran the table.
The Ducks lost early to Arizona; the Huskies lost late to USC; both defeats were at home.
Here’s the illustrious list:
(Nine-game conference schedule implemented in 2006):
- 1988: USC (8-0)
- 1991: Washington (8-0)
- 1996: Arizona State (8-0)
- 1998: UCLA (8-0)
- 2004: USC (8-0)
- 2005: USC (8-0)
- 2010: Oregon (9-0)
The 2019 Ducks will be heavily favored in all three remaining games: Arizona (home), Arizona State (road) and Oregon State (home).
If they win out and claim the conference championship in Levi’s Stadium, a discussion of their place in Pac-10/12 history would be warranted.
To the power ratings …
1. Oregon (8-1/6-0)
: 1 | Result: Won at USC 56-24 | Next up: Open
Comment: Oregon’s FBS ranking in the most important categories …Turnovers gained: No. 2 (tied)Fewest turnovers lost: No. 6 (tied)Turnover margin: No. 2 (behind only Alabama)
2. Utah (8-1/5-1)
Last week: 3 | Result: Won at Washington 33-28 | Next up: Open
Comment: Tyler Huntley’s FBS ranking in the most important categories …Passing efficiency: No. 5Completion percentage: No. 5Yards-per-attempt: No. 3 (tied)Fewest interceptions: No. 6 (tied)
This space intentionally left blank to reflect the (expanding) gap between the top two and everyone else.
3. UCLA (4-5/4-2)
Last week: 6 | Result: Beat Colorado 31-14 | Next up: Open
Comment: It looks odd and feels wrong to slot the Bruins this high. But at some point, you have to reward a team for winning. And they have coldcocked three opponents in a row.
4. Oregon State (4-4/3-2)
Last week: 8 | Result: Won at Arizona 56-38 | Next up: vs. Washington (Friday)
Comment: We considered OSU for the No. 3 spot because of the head-to-head victory over the Bruins. But that 52-7 home loss to Utah came more recently (and left a lasting impression).
5. Stanford (4-4/3-3)
Last week: 5 | Result: Open | Next up: at Colorado
Comment: Since the loss to Oregon in mid-September, the Cardinal is 3-1. Compared to other options in the middle tier, thatap pretty darn good.
6. Washington (5-4/2-4)
Last week: 4 | Result: Lost to Utah 33-28 | Next up: at Oregon State (Friday)
Comment: Facing an elite defense, Jacob Eason didn’t look like a quarterback who’s ready for the NFL. (Not that readiness matters these days.)
7. USC (5-4/4-2)
Last week: 3 | Result: Lost to Oregon 56-24 | Next up: at Arizona State
Comment: Sure, the Trojans are depleted at tailback, but the complete disregard for the running game in the first half Saturday evening seemed like an unnecessary concession.
8. Arizona State (5-3/2-3)
Last week: 7 | Result: Open | Next up: vs. USC
Comment: Loss to Colorado grows more inexplicable by the week. Buffs haven’t won since their escape in Tempe.
9. Washington State (4-4/1-4)
Last week: 9 | Result: Open | Next up: at Cal
Comment: We wouldn’t call this a must-win week for the Cougars, but itap pretty close. They can’t count on home victories over Stanford and Oregon State or, obviously, a breakthrough in the Apple Cup.
10. Cal (4-4/1-4)
Last week: 10 | Result: Open | Next up: vs. Washington State
Comment: The following teams are averaging fewer yards-per-play than Cal: South Alabama, UMass, Rice, Akron, Old Dominion and Northwestern. Nothing more be said.
11. Arizona (4-5/2-4)
Last week: 11 | Result: Lost to Oregon State 56-38 | Next up: Open
Comment: The Wildcats were outclassed on their home field, on Homecoming, by the team they walloped in each of the two previous meetings. Is that bad?
12. Colorado (3-6/1-5)
Last week: 12 | Result: Lost at UCLA 31-14 | Next up: vs. Stanford
Comment: Time to start looking ahead, to 2021.
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