Pac-12 rewind: Arizona, Oregon State glow when Riley’s offense provides and Penix thrives, but Utah’s playoff hopes acquire huge hit

A recap of the Week A person action throughout the Pac-12 …

Theme of the week I: Smooth leading, stout middle

The Pac-12 handled its business towards the second- and 3rd-tier opponents, with a fantastic mark towards the two Group of Five groups (5-) and FCS (4-) opposition — the very same caliber of foes that gave the convention so much hassle in 2021. (The COVID hangover appears to have been purged from the collective’s bloodstream.)

But the Pac-12 faltered towards the Energy 5 with Colorado’s next half no-show against TCU, which isn’t considered a contender in the Large 12 Oregon’s start off-to-end confront-plant versus Georgia and Utah’s intestine-wrenching loss at Florida.

We by no means seen the Ducks as a severe danger for the College Soccer Playoff, but the Utes could have been — and still could be if they do what no crew has completed in the growth era and run the table in meeting engage in.

The previous group to create a ideal league season was Oregon in 2010.

Activity of the 7 days: Florida 29, Utah 26

The remarkably-expected opener was even superior than advertised with 4 touchdowns — and four lead changes — in the closing 16 minutes and an interception in the finish zone by the Gators that ended Utah’s shot at victory.

The teams merged for just two turnovers and 10 penalties, producing a higher-degree matchup in a tense ambiance that may possibly not be topped for drama through the Pac-12’s non-conference period.

Workforce of the 7 days: Arizona

If you remove all wins about FCS opponents and all situations in which the Pac-12 was victorious as a hefty favorite, there are only two solutions in this classification: Arizona and Oregon Condition.

But the Beavers ended up at house in opposition to Boise Condition although the Wildcats had been on the road experiencing San Diego Condition in the initial recreation in Snapdragon Stadium.

Also, the Beavers gained seven online games last calendar year the Wildcats gained a person.

We ended up comprehensively amazed with each groups, but Arizona’s effectiveness in the 38-20 gain marked a additional significant step for the plan than did OSU’s end result.

Debut of the week: USC mentor Lincoln Riley

The anticipation created steadily about the course of 279 days. And when the new era of USC football lastly started, it appeared … quite damn excellent.

The Trojans resembled Riley’s former team, Oklahoma, in a 66-14 victory in excess of Rice that integrated 3 touchdowns by the defense (by way of Choose Sixes), two scores by transfer receiver Jordan Addison and remarkably-effective enjoy from star quarterback Caleb Williams.

That reported, Rice is a 3rd-tier FBS system. We’ll have a superior sense for USC’s development on Saturday when it visits Stanford. The Cardinal has won five of the past 8 meetings and steamrollered the Trojans in Week Two past season. Two days later, Clay Helton was canned.

Offensive participant of the week: Arizona receiver Jacob Cowing

We predicted Cowing, a transfer from UTEP, to make an instant effect. But his debut Saturday at San Diego Point out was up coming-amount things: 8 catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns.

Cowing is reportedly the 1st receiver given that Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree (in 2007) to make 3 touchdowns in his Electrical power 5 debut.

Whichever production he delivers in conference enjoy, 1 detail looks clear: Cowing’s existence will produce prospects in the aerial activity for Arizona’s other wideouts.

Defensive player of the 7 days: Oregon State safety Jaydon Grant

The seventh-yr senior — you study that suitable — was a central figure in OSU’s decisive victory about Boise Condition.

Grant forced a fumble and corralled an early interception that set up the Beavers’ to start with landing. He also experienced 4 tackles and broke up two passes as OSU built a 24- halftime lead and cruised to its to start with year-opening victory because 2015.

QB of the week: Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.

7 of the starting quarterbacks in Week Just one arrived by way of the transfer portal in the past 9 months, a signal of the situations — and the wobbly play that hampered Pac-12 results previous year.

Penix, who spent four seasons at Indiana ahead of relocating to Montlake, was as remarkable as any of them.

His familiarity with coach Kalen DeBoer’s procedure — they ended up jointly at Indiana for two decades — was obvious Saturday as Penix done 26-of-39 passes for 345 yards and 4 touchdowns.

UW’s offense confirmed a stage of sophistication and diversity that we have not found in ages. Will it last? The Week Three duel versus Michigan State must be telling.