Pac-12 energy rankings: Undefeated Cougars, Huskies boast spots in prime 4

The Pac-12’s better-than-expected displaying over the primary three weeks — are you able to blame us for having a bleak outlook? — included non-conference sweeps by 4 groups.

Oregon State, UCLA, Washington and Washington State accomplished the out-of-league parts of their schedules with 3-0 marks. They are midway to bowl eligibility with 9 league video games to play.

(Two different groups, USC and Stanford, are undefeated in non-conference video games with extra dates to return.)

The correlation between non-conference perfection and bowl invites is powerful.

Since the Pac-12 expanded previous to the 2011 season, 47 groups have recorded 3-0 data in opposition to FBS and FCS competitors.

Of these, 40 went on to achieve the six-win threshold wanted for a bowl berth. That’s a success fee of 85.1 %.

The seven groups that went 3-0 in non-conference play and did not turn into bowl-eligible — which means, they have been worse than 3-6 in convention video games — have been as follows:

2013: Utah and Colorado
2014: Oregon State
2016: Arizona State
2017: Cal and Colorado
2018: Colorado

(Note: We are together with USC ’11 as one of many 40. The Trojans have been 3-0 in non-conference video games and gained 10 total however have been ineligible for a bowl bid due to NCAA sanctions.)

The historic development suggests Oregon State, UCLA, Washington and WSU are extraordinarily nicely positioned for bowl bids this fall. They want solely win three out of 9 convention video games to qualify.

And with three of the 4, there’s an extra part value noting: Only Washington State doesn’t play Colorado, which is struggling to achieve a minimal degree of competence.

The Bruins, Huskies and Cougars have three wins secured and sure will likely be closely favored in a fourth.

To the ability scores …

• Please observe: The scores under don’t essentially observe with the order of groups listed on my Associated Press top-25 poll, which is predicated on pointers offered by the AP.

All instances Pacific

1. USC 3-0/1-0)

Last week: 1
Result: beat Fresno State 45-17
Next up: at Oregon State (6:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: The Trojans are simply No. 81 nationally in yards-per-play allowed (5.6) however a powerful No. 4 in turnovers created (3.33 per sport). As a consequence, they stand forty sixth in factors allowed (19.7 ppg). If the opportunism ever deteriorates, issues may get dicey.

2. Washington State (3-0)

Last week: 3
Result: beat Colorado State 38-7
Next up: vs. Oregon (1 p.m. on FOX)
Comment: We have been ready for the offense to catch as much as the protection. Judging by Cam Ward’s 299 yards and 4 touchdowns in opposition to CSU, that course of could possibly be accelerating. Substantiation, or rejection, will come Saturday afternoon.

3. Utah (2-1)

Last week: 2
Result: beat San Diego State 35-7
Next up: at Arizona State (7:30 p.m. on ESPN/2)
Comment: Imagine the response of Utah’s offensive line when it watches movie of ASU’s defensive entrance permitting 305 yards speeding to Eastern Michigan. It will likely be just like the Hotline gazing a hot-off-the-grill hamburger from In-N-Out (Animal Style).

4. Washington (3-0)

Last week: 6
Result: beat Michigan State 39-28
Next up: vs. Stanford (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: The semi-blowout at Husky Stadium was an ambush everybody noticed coming and a lesser model of UW’s 2016 obliteration of No. 7 Stanford, which signaled Washington’s ascent to the highest of the convention. But there are extra obstacles within the Huskies’ path than there have been again then.

5. Oregon (2-1)

Last week: 7
Result: beat BYU 41-20
Next up: at Washington State (1 p.m. on FOX)
Comment: In Week One, we received dangerous Bo. In Week Three, we noticed good Bo. Oregon’s destiny hinges on which Bo Nix seems repeatedly over the subsequent two months. And for those who can determine that out upfront, please focus as an alternative on curing most cancers.

6. Oregon State (3-0)

Last week: 4
Result: beat Montana State 68-28
Next up: vs. USC (6:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: We examined the field scores from three memorable OSU victories over the Trojans — the 2006 and 2008 upsets of the Carroll-era juggernauts and the breakthrough win final 12 months within the Coliseum — and what jumped off the web page? USC had 14 turnovers within the three video games, whereas the Beavers had two.

7. UCLA (3-0)

Last week: 5
Result: beat South Alabama 32-31
Next up: at Colorado (11 a.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: The Pac-12’s improved depth is mirrored in an undefeated workforce within the No. 7 place in our energy scores. Of course, the Bruins wanted a last-second discipline aim to retain their undefeated standing.

8. Arizona (2-1)

Last week: 8
Result: beat North Dakota State 31-28
Next up: at Cal (2:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Sure, the Bison are an FCS program. But Arizona would have misplaced that sport final 12 months, and the 12 months earlier than that, and fairly probably the 12 months earlier than that and that and that. Progress, of us. Progress.

9. Cal (2-1)

Last week: 9
Result: misplaced at Notre Dame 24-17
Next up: vs. Arizona (2:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: The ACC knowledgeable us that it gained’t launch a public assertion in regards to the insane offside name on the Bears that led to a Notre Dame landing. Instead, the matter will likely be dealt with privately between the supervisors of officers for the 2 conferences. (In the Pac-12, that’s David Coleman.)

10. Arizona State (1-2)

Last week: 10
Result: misplaced to Eastern Michigan 30-21
Next up: vs. Utah (7:30 p.m. on ESPN/2)
Comment: If all it took to dismiss Herm Edwards was a depressing on-field efficiency, why didn’t ASU fireplace him after the no-show in opposition to Washington State in the course of final season?

11. Stanford (1-1/0-1)

Last week: 11
Result: idle
Next up: at Washington (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: The further time to organize creates a stellar alternative for the Cardinal to proceed its bizarre dominance of the Huskies within the underdog function. However, the bye is dangerous news in each different respect: Stanford should play 10 consecutive weeks.

12. Colorado (0-3)

Last week: 12
Result: misplaced at Minnesota 49-7
Next up: vs. UCLA (11 a.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: On the record of ominous indicators for any head coach, the athletic director providing a public assertion of help in all probability ranks fifth. The prime 4 can be dropping to Eastern Michigan amid an NCAA recruiting scandal, refusing to get a COVID vaccine regardless of a state mandate, dropping at residence to Oregon State for the primary time in 61 years and whacking a participant throughout an in-game altercation.

But that’s only a guess.