Around the Pac-12: Week 9

Story posted November 4, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by James Morrison

Oregon comes in atop the rankings for PAC-12 teams as the eighth-overall ranked team in the college football playoff.

After getting blown out by Georgia by a score of 49-3 Oregon has scored 40-plus points in seven straight games and Bo Nix is working his way into the Heisman conversation.

Oregon goes on the road this week to face Colorado as they try to continue the streak.

USC came in as the No. 9 ranked team in the nation after beating Arizona on the road this past week.

Although USC’s offense has been very good all season long, the defense will need to step up against California as it has allowed 80 points in the past two games.

UCLA was ranked as the No. 12 team in the nation after coming off a bounce back win against Stanford.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been the catalyst in the Bruins' offense as they have not scored under 30 points all season as they look towards a potential Pac-12 championship run.

Not far behind UCLA is the No. 14 ranked Utah who will host Arizona this week.

Utah has run into some trouble the past three games with a lost to UCLA and wins over USC and Washington State by a combined five points.

If Cameron Rising can’t go at quarterback this week, it will be the sophomore Bryson Barnes.

The last ranked Pac-12 is Oregon State at 23 as they are coming off a huge win over Colorado.

Oregon State will have a real tough test this week as they travel to Washington to play in one of the top atmospheres in college football.

The Beavers’ biggest wins this year have been over Washington State and Stanford so adding Washington would help boost their strength of wins.

Washington was ranked to start the year but has since fallen off with back-to-back losses to UCLA and Arizona State.

The Huskies have gotten back on track recently with wins against Arizona and California and sit just outside the rankings with a 6-2 record.

It’s likely that they get back into the rankings with a win against Oregon State Friday night.

It has been a tough season for Arizona State, but the Sun Devils have won two of their past three games while their only loss was a one-point loss to Stanford.

The Sun Devils host UCLA in a major test for a defense that has let up 30 plus points six times.

Washington State travels to Stanford this weekend as they seek to gain bowl eligibility.

The Cougars are riding a three-game losing streak, but the losses have been to USC, Oregon State and Utah – all of which are ranked.
California faces USC in a tall task as the Golden Bears ride a four-game losing streak.

Purdue transfer Jake Plummer has guided the offense so far with help from freshman running back Jaydn Ott.

Arizona has lost three straight games and the schedule does not get any easier.

Arizona just lost to Oregon, Washington and USC while they still have to face Utah, UCLA, Washington State and Arizona State.

The Wildcats must win three of those games to become bowl eligible.

It has been a nightmare season for Colorado as it only has one win and faces three ranked teams to finish off their season.

Stanford sits at the bottom of the PAC-12 and does have a real shot at getting to a bowl as they would have to win against three of Washington State, Utah, California and BYU.

James Morrison is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jpm6920@psu.edu.