Pac-12 College Football Week 4 Notebook

Arizona 24, Utah 30

This game was a hot mess. Arizona had four turnovers and a chance to win the game at the end. Down a score, they recovered an onside kick and were in striking distance. But then they fumbled again directly into Utah’s hands and Utah escaped with a win. But they also lost Kylie Fitts, their best pass rusher, and Tyler Huntley, their starting QB. Troy Williams made some beautiful throws, but he also made some head-scratchers and the Utes couldn’t run all that well. You could say this was an encouraging game for Arizona, but I would say that it’s a disappointing game for Utah.

California 20, USC 30

I would say that this game was more of a blowout than the score indicates given that California scored a garbage time touchdown, but it really wasn’t. Cal’s defense thoroughly shut down USC for three quarters and Sam Darnold looked mortal. Unfortunately for the Bears, their offense couldn’t move and the Trojans have players on D. This game was another turnover-filled slopfest, but both teams flashed talent. I really like Patrick Laird at RB for California, and obviously Stephen Carr for USC is a beast.

Washington State 45, Nevada 7

Luke Falk is back and Nevada is not.

Stanford 58, UCLA 34

Good lord, UCLA. Stanford was onto their backup QB early in the game, and they STILL gave up 58 points to Bryce Love. This was a great matchup for Stanford. The Bruins could not stop a horse with no legs riding through the desert. Jim Mora is allergic to rushing on both sides of the ball (although Soso Jamabo ran well) and it shows. This game is more of the same for the Bruins. Good offense (ish), poor defense, especially against the run. This showed something new for Stanford, though. KJ Costello has talent, and he has Bryce Love with him, too. CU should use this tape against UCLA for next week.

Arizona State 37, Oregon 35

The best Pac-12 After Dark game this week. This game was whack. Justin Herbert was overthrowing everybody, and Oregon forgot Royce Freeman existed for a while. But they still almost won at the end because Todd Graham does not know how to sit on a lead. Manny Wilkins put in a valiant effort as always, and N’Keal Harry finally broke out in Pac-12 play, but ASU still has problems on both sides of the ball. The main thing this game did was make me worried about CU’s trip to the desert in Tempe.

Bye: Oregon State, mercifully

Good Weeks: WSU, Washington, ASU, Stanford

Okay Weeks: USC, Cal, Utah

Bad Weeks: CU, UA, UCLA, UO