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. Utah (2-0)
Last week: 1
Result: beat Baylor 23-12
Next up: at Utah State (1:30 p.m. on CBSSN)
Comment: The Utes should handle Utah State regardless of the QB1 situation, but they need Cam Rising back for the double-dip that will frame the entire season: at Oklahoma State on Sept. 21 and home against Arizona on the 28th. So he can miss one week, but not two and definitely not three — they cannot afford to start 0-2 in conference play.
2. USC (2-0)
Last week: 2
Result: beat Utah State 48-0
Next up: idle
Comment: The Trojans opened as 12-point underdogs for their Sept. 21 trip to the Big House when the lines were released in the spring. The spread dropped to 10.5 and now stands at 8.5. We suspect it could fall to a touchdown if Michigan isn’t sharp in Week 3 against Arkansas State.
3. Oregon (2-0)
Last week: 4
Result: beat Boise State 37-34
Next up: at Oregon State (12:30 p.m. on Fox)
Comment: Sacks allowed by the Ducks in 13 games in 2022: five. Sacks allowed by the Ducks in 14 games in 2023: five. Sacks allowed by the Ducks in two games in 2024: seven.
4. Boise State (1-1)
Last week: 5
Result: lost at Oregon 37-34
Next up: idle
Comment: The close call in Eugene could sway the selection committee (in a positive fashion) if the Broncos become engaged in a resume showdown with Memphis, for example, for the top Group of Five ranking.
5. Arizona (2-0)
Last week: 3
Result: beat NAU 22-10
Next up: at Kansas State (Friday at 5 p.m. on Fox)
Comment: Fan fretting over the defense after Week 1 has given way to mild concerns about the offense. Pardon the perspective, but the Wildcats have two double-digits victories on the books and the longest winning streak (nine games) in the country.
6. Washington (2-0)
Last week: 6
Result: beat Eastern Michigan 30-9
Next up: vs. Washington State (12:30 p.m. on Peacock)
Comment: We have noticed some social media chatter about Jonah Coleman being perhaps the best tailback on Montlake since Corey Dillon — and their running styles are certainly comparable. But let’s not overlook Mr. Myles Gaskin, folks. He did everything well.
7. Cal (2-0)
Last week: 11
Result: won at Auburn 21-14
Next up: vs. San Diego State (7:30 p.m. on ESPN)
Comment: Given the results in the ACC thus far, we would not be surprised to see the Bears 1) win in Tallahassee in two weeks, 2) finish in the top five of the conference or 3) produce the best regular-season record of the Justin Wilcox era. (The bar stands at 7-5.)
8. Arizona State (2-0)
Last week: 7
Result: beat Mississippi State 30-23
Next up: at Texas State (Thursday at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN)
Comment: Perspective touched down in Tempe on Saturday afternoon, when Wyoming’s loss to Idaho went …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
