Pac-12 Football Week 2 Wrap Up: Washington State on Top of the Pac
By Caleb Davis
Jul 26, 2013; Culver City, CA, USA; Stanford linebacker Shayne Skov, head coach David Shaw and outside linebacker David Yankey speak to the media during PAC-12 media day held at the Sony Studios Lot. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Week 2 proved to be awesome for the Pac-12 as every Pac-12 team, who played out of conference, won. Also the first Pac-12 match up of the year happened as Washington State traveled to USC to take the Trojans on in a late night match up.
This weekend went pretty much according to plan as all the Pac-12 teams were favored to win their games. Washington and UCLA were idle this week.
We’ll do this in alphabetical order starting with…
Sep 7, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Kylan Butler (right) celebrates with quarterback Javelle Allen after scoring a touchdown against the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium. Arizona won the game 58-13. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona who took on UNLV in a night game on Saturday. The Wildcats Looked impressive on both sides of the ball as Ka’Deem Carey rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns in his much-anticipated return Saturday night. Arizona has looked good pretty much everywhere in the first two weeks but they have yet to face their first real test. Arizona defeated UNLV 58-13. The Wildcats have the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners at home next week.
Two main takeaways:
-Arizona has a bunch of really good athletes on both sides of the ball, not tested but good.
-Ka’Deem Carey is exactly who we thought he was.
Sep 5, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Michael Eubank celebrates his rushing touchdown in the third quarter against the Sacramento State Hornets at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona State finally got into action this week, as they opened up their season Thursday night at home against the Sacramento State Hornets. This was kind of like a preseason game for the Sun Devils. Even though ASU was severely under-matched, it was important for them to play well in this game and they did. ASU won this one 55-0. The Sun Devil’s road gets a lot tougher as next week Wisconsin comes into town.
Two main takeaways:
-Todd Graham has these boys focused. It’s one thing to blow out a team you’re supposed to but it takes preparation and focus to shut out a team in your first week of action.
-Arizona State has a leader in Taylor Kelly, that’s a guy a team can rally behind and he has a lot of wide outs to throw to.
Sep 7, 2013; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes the ball against the Portland State Vikings during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
California got their second straight home game as they took on a very determined Portland State team. Portland State gave Cal all they could handle but some Golden Bear heroics got Sonny Dykes his first win as The California head coach. Cal won this one 37-30. Cal has a very tough game next week as Ohio State makes their way to Berkeley.
Two main takeaways:
-Jared Goff is going to get a lot of experience this year throwing the ball… A LOT. This kid doesn’t play like a freshman.
-Cal has to take wins any way they can get them, there might not be a whole lot for them this year.
Sep 7, 2013; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Kenneth Crawley (2) is congratulated for his late fourth quarter interception by defensive lineman Nate Bonsu (99) and defensive lineman Justin Solis (57) against the Central Arkansas Bears at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes defeated the Bears 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado was at home this week taking on Central Arkansas. Mike MacIntyre has the Buffs playing as well as they’ve played since joining the Pac-12. Although their opponents haven’t been too tough to start this year, they did lose to CSU last year, so improvement has been noticeable. Colorado beat Central Arkansas 38-24. Colorado plays host to Fresno State next week.
Two main takeaways:
-Mike MacIntyre has what it takes to turn this Colorado program around. How soon? only time will tell.
-Paul Richardson is a Man! I’m talking like the Dr Pepper 10 Man…. BOOOOOOLLLLD FLAVOR!
Sep 7, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Bralon Addison (11) scores a touchdown as Virginia Cavaliers linebacker Henry Coley (44) defends in the second quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Oregon hit the road to take on a Virginia team who felt very good going into this game after beating BYU a week earlier. Those were the only good feelings Virginia had all day. Marcus Mariota and friends showed that they will not take a step back under first year coach, Mark Helfrich. Oregon defeats Virginia 59-10. Oregon has a big one at home next week as Tennessee of the SEC heads to Eugene.
Two main takeaways:
-Oregon can’t slow down, they don’t know how. Not even with a new coach.
-Every team that plays Oregon this year has to game plan for talent they can’t duplicate. Marcus Mariota and De’anthony Thomas.
Sep 7, 2013; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers defensive end Dylan Wynn (45) during the game against the Hawaii Warriors at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Oregon State looked to bounce back after an embarrassing loss to Eastern Washington as they played host to Hawaii. OSU started the game hot and cooled down right before half. They were able to come out after half and play inspired as they bested the Rainbow Warriors, 33-14. Next week the Beavers start Pac-12 play as they head to Utah.
Two main takeaways:
-OSU got the monkey off their back, they can move past the loss to EWU now and focus on still accomplishing everything they hoped in the Pac-12.
-Oregon State’s defense played much better but needs to continue to improve if they want to stand a chance in a high powered Pac-12.
Sep 7, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Ty Montgomery (7) carries the ball ahead of San Jose State Spartans cornerback Forrest Hightower (12) during the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the San Jose State Spartans 34-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Stanford was the last Pac-12 team to start their season as they opened things up at home against SJSU. Last year SJSU gave Stanford a scare, that was not the case this time around as this Stanford team is determined to prove they are a National powerhouse. Stanford wins at home 34-13. Stanford will have it’s first road game next week as they take on Army.
Two main takeaways
-Tyler Gaffney is back and hasn’t lost a step. He describes his comeback “Like riding a bike” and yes, he’s back on.
-If there is a weak spot on the Stanford defense, it is their pass defense They have to tighten that up a little bit if they want to be in the BCS championship game this year.
September 7, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Marqise Lee (9) runs the ball against the defense of Washington State Cougars cornerback Damante Horton (6) during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
USC got their Pac-12 journey started as they played host to Washington State this weekend. What was supposed to be a shootout that ended in USC pulling away with the victory, became an unexpected defensive battle. USC lost this one as they switched quarterbacks at half and threw a pick on their last drive. The Trojans were the only Pac-12 team to lose this weekend as they fell 7-10 to Washington State. SC looks to bounce back next week as they host Boston College.
Two main takeaways:
-A quarterback has to step up this week and lead the team the entire game on Saturday. Trojans must get back on track and that’s a major thing holding this offense back
-Lane Kiffin isn’t welcome in SC anymore by the fan base… He has to choose who he is going to be and live with his choices. This crowd will be on his back all year so he can’t back down and give into their “fire Kiffin” chants and must find a way to win with this team right away.
Sep 7, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Vyncent Jones (64) and running back James Poole (34) and lineman Isaac Asiata (54) and wide receiver Anthony Denham (8) celebrate with quarterback Travis Wilson (7) after Wilson scored a touchdown during the first quarter against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Utah got it’s second home game in a row as it welcomed Weber State in week 2. The Utes aren’t letting up after opening the season with a huge win against Utah State. Utah was downright mean and Travis Wilson looked like he was in a video game all day. Utah wins this one 70-7. Next week things get a little tougher as Utah will host Oregon State
Two main Takeaways:
-Utah put up 70 points
-Travis Wilson will take this team far
September 7, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars cornerback Damante Horton (6) intercepts a pass against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Washington State hit the road for the second straight week as the Cougs took on USC in LA Saturday night. The air-raid offense moved the ball somewhat well against a sturdy USC defense, however it did not result in any offensive touchdowns. In Mike Leach’s 2nd year his first win shockingly came from an inspired defensive effort. WSU beat USC 10-7. The Cougars finally get a home game this season as they play host to Southern Utah next week in their home opener.
Two main takeaways:
-Washington State is not the team they have been over the past several years, Leach has the troops playing with some attitude in his second year.
-Washington State can play very good defense for an entire game. Something I haven’t been able to say for a long time.