If you're only interested in our opponents the week we're slated to play them, then this piece isn't for you. This is a look at all 12 13 of our opponents in 2011 and how they did from week-to-week. Eventually, this will be a measure of our schedule strength, but since there's a pretty good chance we're not playing for a BCS bowl this season, it's just a friendly update about those teams that we'll be facing at some point. Also, with us playing Cal in '10 and this season, OSU is the only Pac-12 team we don't know anything about, so I figured we should follow them a bit so we know what to expect when we face them finally in 2013. And because they're important too.
Hawaii Warriors (5-5, 3-3 WAC)
Having played against him twice, I think we can all agree that Bryant Moniz is a pretty incredible competitor and a nice college football story. That's why it's sad to see his college career end this way. He broke his right tibia in the first quarter of UH's loss to Nevada. The warriors have been dealing with a number of injuries this year, but they still may be able to finish in the top half of the Western Athletic Conference. Tough break for Hawaii
Follow the jump to see how many woodchucks it takes to screw in a light bulb!
California Golden Bears (6-4, 3-4 Pac 12)
They easily handled Oregon State to reach bowl eligibility in their final home game, which is good, because they play at Stanford for this big game this week, and at ASU to close the season where the Sun Devils have been tough. Isi Sofele ran for a career high 190 yards as Cal racked up nearly 300 yards on the ground (to 27 for OSU...ouch). They forced three turnovers and penalties on the Bears actually kept the score from being even more lopsided than it ended up.
Colorado St. Rams (3-6, 1-3 MWC)
They lost on an SDSU FG with less than six minutes left. Pete Thomas left the game in the second quarter to a knee injury. Chris Nwoke ran for 232 yards, but it wasn't enough to get the Rams the W. If CSU isn't careful, it could be in for yet another 3 win season...can you say coaching hot seat?
Ohio St. Buckeyes (6-4, 3-3 B1G)
Tough break for the Buckeyes as they lose in the first overtime period to Purdue, who won on a walkoff touchdown after OSU could only muster a field goal. The Ohio State offense got off to a slow start, but their defense kept them in it and allowed them to catch up in the second half. They have a big game against Penn State up next and it's going to be tough for them to finish with a conference record above .500.
Washington St. Cougars (4-6, 2-5 Pac 12)
After beating ASU, the Cougars are still technically in the hunt for a Bowl berth. Freshman QB (their third QB this season) threw for 494 yards (more than any Pac 12 QB this year) and 4 TDs to lead the way in the rain and snow. They still have to face Utah and Washington, but this game may go a ways in determining if WSU will be undergoing a coaching change after the season is over.
Stanford Cardinal (9-1, 7-1 Pac 12) #9 BCS
The nation's longest winning streak came to an end when the Ducks beat the Cardinal on Saturday. Stanford was outplayed on both sides of the ball, and they still couldn't keep up with Oregon's speed. I guess I was wrong on who the best team in the conference was. The yardage gained was almost exactly the same, but Stanford had 5 turnovers to Oregon's 2. Next up is the Big Game for them (against Cal), so we'll see how the Tree bounces back from this.
Washington Huskies (6-4, 4-3 Pac 12)
Another injured QB in the opponent watch, as Keith Price went out with a knee injury in the 3rd quarter. The Huskies got stomped by USC, and have cooled off considerably after their 5-1 start (in fact, their last two victories have been against us and Arizona...). It doesn't help that 3 of the last 4 teams they've played have been Stanford, Oregon and USC. Chris Polk ran for a season low 36 yards. They look to get back on track against Oregon State, though the game is on the road (where they are 1-3)
Oregon Ducks (9-1, 7-0 Pac 12) #4 BCS
The Ducks are back in control of the conference after beating Stanford fairly easily on the road. Darron Thomas passed for 3 TDs and LaMichael James went for 147 and 3 TDs on the ground. Their defense, though, was the story, as they were all over the place and had an excellent game as a unit, forcing 5 turnovers. They have a pretty big game against UCS next, but it's at home, so that should help the Ducks.
Arizona St. Sun Devils (6-4, 4-3 Pac 12)
They are 1-4 on the road this season. Fortunately for the Sun Devils, they have only home games remaining. They coughed this one up against WSU. Sure the weather had something to do with it, but they just played poorly. They were in control of the Pac-12 South Division, but now they seem to be doing everything they can to give it away. They're still in the running to play in the conference championship game, though. And next up is Arizona for them, so they should be able to break this two game losing streak that they're in.
USC Trojans (8-2, 5-2 Pac 12) #18 AP*
USC is looking better and better as the season goes on. They stomped on Washington, rushing for 250+ yards, not relying on Matt Barkley at all. He threw for only 174 yards and one TD. They are playing with a lot of confidence and are getting it done in all facets of the game. They face Oregon next, and this may actually tell us who the best team in the conference. USC is ineligible to play in the Pac-12 Championship Game or a bowl game, but they may be able to make their case as the best team.
Arizona Wildcats (2-8, 1-7 Pac 12)
I know we're all still pretty happy about this victory, but this is a team that is reeling. They came in to the season needing to replace their entire offensive line, and they just haven't done it effectively. Nick Foles is a very good QB and he's got a some talented wide receivers around him, but they cannot run the ball effectively and their defense is mostly nonexistent. They face ASU next in a rivalry game, but I don't think they stand a chance. The interim coach, Kish, is trying his best, he just doesn't have much of a team to work with.
UCLA Bruins (5-5, 4-3 Pac 12)
Our upcoming opponent: The Bruins laid a big fat egg against Utah. Both teams were fighting for bowl eligibility, and only one of them wanted it. Part of it is UCLA being terrible on the road. Their only road victory this year is against Oregon State...so yeah. We face them at home, which gives them an advantage, plus the fact that this game is probably their chance to get bowl-eligible, with a game at USC up after us, means this won't be an easy task for us. But you know what? I'm feeling pretty good about this. And I'll be at this game, my first in the Rose Bowl, and my first CU road game. I'm hoping they come through for me!
Utah Utes (6-4, 3-4 Pac 12)
They're figuring out the offense without Jordan Wynn, and it's all about John White, who ran for 167 yards and 3 TDs to help the Utes roll right over the Bruins. If Utah wins out, ASU loses out and UCLA loses once more, they will be playing in the Pac-12 Championship Game (just as I predicted...)! And their schedule seems like it may be a possibility with a road game against WSU up next.
***Oregon St. Beavers*** (2-8, 2-5 Pac 12)
They may be bad this year, but they still have one more conference victory than we do. They were manhandled by Cal and have the Huskies up next. It's a home game, but they're going to have to do a lot to pull out the W. Mike Riley's seat is definitely hot right now.