The Best of the West offers fans a candid assessment of the top teams in the western third of the country — a collection of schools now scattered across five conferences: the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and Mountain West.
The rankings will be published weekly on the Hotline throughout the regular season.
(All times Pacific)
1. Oregon (8-0/5-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 1
Result: beat Illinois 38-9
Next up: at Michigan (12:30 p.m. on CBS)
Comment: Thus far, Oregon’s three road games have been against teams (UCLA, Oregon State and Purdue) with a combined record of 7-15. (That’s one reason the Ducks are No. 2 on my AP ballot behind Georgia.) The caliber of competition improves this week in the Big House, but by how much? The Wolverines have no aerial game to speak of.
2. Brigham Young (8-0/5-0 Big 12)
Last week: 2
Result: won at UCF 37-24
Next up: idle
Comment: After a thoroughly impressive victory in Orlando, the Cougars have two weeks to prepare for the Holy War — so does Utah, by the way — and a stretch run in which they should be favored in each game. Yes, perfection is possible. It might even be described as probable.
3. Boise State (6-1/3-0 Mountain West)
Last week: 3
Result: won at UNLV 29-24
Next up: vs. San Diego State (Friday at 5 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: With UNLV dispatched and Colorado State not on their schedule, the Broncos’ road to the Mountain West championship is open — more open, to be sure, than Ashton Jeanty’s running lanes were Friday night in Las Vegas.
4. Colorado (6-2/4-1 Big 12)
Last week: 5
Result: beat Cincinnati 34-23
Next up: idle
Comment: The Buffaloes are bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016, but that’s not all: They are one of four teams contending for a berth in the Big 12 championship, which, of course, would place them one win from the College Football Playoff. Around the Hotline, we call that “ESPN’s dream scenario.”
5. Washington State (7-1)
Last week: 4
Result: won at San Diego State 29-26
Next up: idle
Comment: The Cougars will be favored in their final four games, placing them in the CFP conversation. But as we explained a few days ago, they need significant help. And one of the teams in position to assist them immensely, Texas Tech, lost on Saturday.
6. UNLV (6-2/2-1 Mountain West)
Last week: 6
Result: lost to Boise State 29-24
Next up: idle
Comment: The Mountain West schedule-makers did the Rebels a huge favor placing their bye after the showdown against Boise State. They have two weeks to recover from the disappointment before heading to Hawaii to demolish the Rainbow Warriors.
7. Arizona State (5-2/2-2 Big 12)
Last week: 7
Result: did not play
Next up: at Oklahoma State (4 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: Coach Kenny Dillingham explained on a recent podcast that he has no plans to let tailback Cam Skattebo play defense (in Travis Hunter style), even though it’s abundantly clear the 215-pounder could slide into any position on the field and inflict tremendous punishment.
8. USC (4-4/2-4 Big Ten)
Last week: 8
Result: beat Rutgers 42-20
Next up: at Washington (4:30 …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
