Saturday Night Five: Are USC and UCLA legit(?), reassessing the non-conference slate, quirky electricity ratings and the Dorrell Observe

Immediate response to Pac-12 developments on the industry …

1. The state of L.A.

The figures really do not lie, but do they exaggerate?

UCLA is 5- for the first time since 2013.

USC is 5- for the to start with time due to the fact 2006 (excluding the disrupted 2020 season).

And UCLA and USC are both equally 5- for the initially time considering that 2005.

They are the only undefeated groups remaining in the Pac-12. The Trojans will be in the VFAB best-10 again upcoming week, and the Bruins must enter the poll.

And yet, the resumes continue to really feel flimsy. Let us take a look at the opponents.

UCLA has overwhelmed:

— Bowling Environmentally friendly, a Mid-American Conference crew that shed to Japanese Kentucky.
— Alabama Point out, an FBS group that lost to Prairie View.
— South Alabama, a Sunlight Belt group that experienced the Bruins on the ropes
— Colorado, the worst team in the Electricity Five
— Washington, which is much better than common but not near to elite.

USC has overwhelmed:

— Rice, which is Rice
— Stanford, which hasn’t overwhelmed an FBS staff in 364 times
— Fresno Condition, a single of the far better groups in a weak Mountain West
— Oregon Condition, which just received walloped at Utah
— Arizona Point out, which is winless versus FBS teams

Which is 10 game titles concerning them, and not a lot meat.

The Hotline thinks the Bruins and Trojans are good plenty of to gain 9 online games, particularly with their favorable schedules:

The Bruins have eight house online games and engage in just one of the Pac-12’s top rated teams on the highway (Oregon),

The Trojans have 7 home video games and really do not deal with Oregon or Washington.

Think about us a bit skeptical about both staff reaching the upcoming degree, which we’ll outline as 10 or extra wins, a convention championship visual appearance and a significant run at the College Soccer Playoff.

We could grow to be confident but need to see additional from each.

Thankfully, clarity is on the way.

The Trojans host Washington Point out following weekend, then stop by Utah.

The Bruins host Utah next weekend, then (just after a bye) take a look at Oregon.

By the close of company on Oct. 22, we’ll know irrespective of whether the L.A. teams are future-stage very good or just much better than they have been.

And there is absolutely absolutely nothing improper with the latter.

2. September review

Results in other leagues have included context to the Pac-12’s early-period ledger, and it’s not the prettiest of images.

Washington State’s earn at Wisconsin does not seem to be very as amazing. The Badgers are -2 in the Massive 10 soon after dropping at home to Illinois (by 24 factors).

Utah’s loss at Florida has taken a darker tint. The Gators are -2 in the SEC.

Washington’s acquire above Michigan State has misplaced its luster. The Spartans are -2 in the Large 10 just after lopsided losses to Minnesota and Maryland (not to be baffled with Michigan and Ohio Condition).

Also, what once appeared to be high-quality wins more than the Mountain West should really be reconsidered.

Fresno State just missing to Connecticut — a bad end result, even without having quarterback Jake Haener — and both of those Boise State and San Diego State are in reset seasons.

3. Bowl math

Even though the context cited above is vital, the wins make a difference most. And the Pac-12 ought to the moment all over again have 4 groups in the VFAB poll (USC, UCLA, Utah and Oregon), moreover two many others with 4-1 documents.

The convention continues to be very well positioned to deliver at the very least seven and maybe nine teams to the postseason.

It’s a zero-sum game, soon after all. With a few teams that are headed nowhere (Colorado, Stanford and ASU), there are gobs of wins available for every person else.

For case in point, Oregon Condition is 3-2 (midway to bowl eligibility) right after back again-to-back again losses to USC and Utah. But the Beavers are closer to the postseason than it appears mainly because they participate in all a few of the bottom feeders.

The very last time the Pac-12 produced 9 bowl-eligible groups was 2017, which happened to be the last time there were being 3 terrible teams: Oregon Point out was -9 in meeting engage in, even though Cal and Colorado were being 2-7.

Strong tops and huge middles are only attainable if there is a massive bottom.

4. Sizzling seat update

Another lopsided decline by Colorado (43-20, at Arizona) has the Hotline on warn for however one more in-period firing.

Final 12 months, USC’s Clay Helton, Washington State’s Nick Rolovich and Washington’s Jimmy Lake ended up terminated in the course of the frequent time.