Instant reaction to Week 2 developments across college football …
1. Big week in the PNW
After the runt of the group survived yet another Saturday scare at Autzen Stadium, rivalry week in the Pacific Northwest is upon us with a double-shot of perfection.
We’re deploying a hefty dose of sarcasm, of course, because nothing about Oregon football reflects runt status. Except for the results.
Consider two weeks of evidence:
— Washington beat Weber State and Eastern Michigan by a combined score of 65-12.
— Washington State hung 70 on Portland State and just smacked Texas Tech around by three touchdowns.
— Oregon State bullied Idaho State in the opener, then shut out San Diego State.
Meanwhile, the Ducks are 2-0 the hard way after fending off Idaho — Idaho! — and then edging Boise State on a walk-off field goal.
Four undefeated teams.
Two rivalry games.
Yes, they are early. Too early. But if the Apple Cup and Civil War were on the final Saturday of November and not the second Saturday of September, we would not have the pleasure of witnessing two matchups of undefeated teams.
The stakes are highest this week for the Cougars and Beavers, not because of the postseason implications but because of the post-season implications — because of what may or may not happen with their conference affiliation starting in 2026.
The Cougars and Beavers must remain relevant this fall and remind the college football world they are worthy of Power Four recognition.
Both were in vulnerable spots Saturday. It would have been easy to cast an eye beyond the present to what lies ahead.
Instead, they took different paths to the same end: Washington State scored 37 points and rushed for 301 yards against Texas Tech while Oregon State allowed zero points and just 72 yards rushing to San Diego State.
But those details are largely meaningless. Here’s what matters: They are undefeated; their rivals are undefeated; and the spotlights will be bright in Corvallis and Seattle (Lumen Field, not Husky Stadium) on Saturday afternoon.
Given the way the four teams have performed thus far, it’s reasonable to expect competitive games.
2. “Something’s off”
As noted above, one member of the Pacific Northwest quartet is not like the others.
Fox studio analyst Chris Petersen, the former Boise State and Washington coach, summed up the perplexing state of the Ducks when he said at halftime: “Oregon’s offense — something’s off. It’s boom or bust.”
Indeed, the Ducks look nothing like the team we expected to see when the season began, the team billed as a threat to Ohio State in the Big Ten.
If anyone thought the lackluster performance against Idaho was an outlier, well, Boise State tossed that notion into the garbage can.
The Broncos rushed for 221 yards, converted nine third downs (in 19 attempts), averaged 5.1 yards per play and scored on all five trips into the Red Zone.
But Oregon’s biggest problem against both Boise State and Idaho was supposed to be one of its greatest strengths this season: the offensive line.
As Petersen said, “Something’s off.”
The unit is not performing to the expected standard. …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
