The Pac-12 has had a very good non-conference season. With only three games left for sure (all against Notre Dame), the conference has gone 29-4, including a remarkable 10-0 against the Mountain West Conference (with the game between Fresno and Colorado postponed for now).
So it's time to move into conference play in earnest in the Pac-12. But for now, let's review last week.
No. 17 Washington 56, Idaho State 0: One of two matchups on Saturday between schools from the State of Washington and schools from the State of Idaho, this one was probably over when it was scheduled. The Huskies were up 21 points after the first quarter and never looked back. Keith Price threw for 213 yards and three touchdowns in quarter and a half of play.
Washington State 42, Idaho 0: Connor Halliday threw four touchdown passes in the first half and racked up 346 passing yards as the neighboring schools on the Palouse (they are located eight miles apart) met for the first time since 2007. State of Washington 98, State of Idaho 0.
UCLA 59, New Mexico State 13: UCLA steamrolled the Aggies, but the significance of this game had little to do with what was going to occur on the field. The Bruins opened the game in a missing man formation, running their first offensive play with only 10 men on the field in order to honor wide receiver Nick Pasquale, who was struck by a car and killed two weeks ago.
UCLA held a moment of silence for Nick Pasquale before the game against NMSU
USC 17, Utah State 14: The Trojans defense came up big again, holding Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton to 164 total yards and the Aggies to 285 yards of total offense. Then again, the UCLA offense did not look that much better, but it was enough to get the job done. If the Trojans can ever develop chemistry between Marqise Lee and Cody Kessler, that might get the offense going.
Utah 20, BYU 13: In the last Holy War for a few season, the Utes managed to win their fourth straight game in the series Saturday night in Provo. It was a defensive struggle early, as it took some time for the offenses to find their rhythm. Travis Wilson threw for 273 yards for the Utes, with 143 of those yards credited to Dres Anderson. Taysom Hill of BYU only completed 18 of 38 passes for the Cougars.
Oregon State 34, San Diego State 30: Sean Mannion threw three touchdown passes as the Beavers scored three touchdown in the fourth quarter to come from behind against San Diego State. Steven Nelson's 16 yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:31 left in the fourth quarter sealed the victory for the Beavers, who only managed to gain 10 yards rushing in the entire game.
No. 5 Stanford 42, No. 23 Arizona State 28: In the only matchup between ranked teams last week, it looked like a mismatch early on as the Cardinal raced out to 29-0 halftime lead. The Sun Devils tried to respond, but could not get any closer than 11 points.
Top Player: When your offense only runs for 10 yards in the game, and you help drag them to victory, you can be the top player of the week. Sean Mannion of Oregon State wins the honor this week after going 38 for 55 for 367 yards, three touchdowns and no INTs.
