There’s more dramatic games still to be played within the Pacific-10 Conference, and the next big game comes Dec. 3 in Autzen Stadium for the Civil War.
Read the early thoughts of the Oregon State football team in my Monday story in the GT.
Both the Ducks and Beavers set up a high-profile game where the winner goes to the Rose Bowl. What a difference it is now for OSU than it was two weeks ago.
Here’s my look at the Pac-10 after the latest turn of events. As usual, the middle four-five teams are interchangeable. However, where teams are placed just don’t look right from the way things have been.
1. Oregon: Pulling out the double overtime win at Arizona was impressive, and gave the Ducks at least a share of the Pac-10 title. Will the bye week be enough to recover for the Civil War?
2. Oregon State: The Beavers moved along as expected at this point of the season and with the competition. A defining moment happens Dec. 3. Can they snatch the brass ring? It’s there’s if they can grab it.
3. California: This isn’t a sleeper team anymore. The Bears have beaten who they should. It’s all about finishing strong to solidify this as a good season and something to build on for the future.
4. Stanford: The national darlings stumbled in the Big Game. The season was still a major success, giving depth to the conference. The Cardinal will be dangerous next season.
5. USC: There’s still an opportunity to save a little face against UCLA and Arizona. It turned out to be a rebuilding year. So teams should take advantage of it while they can.
6. Arizona: The Wildcats crumbled under pressure. They went from holding their own destiny to the Rose Bowl to being a bubble team for the Pac-10 bowl tie-ins. They must beat USC or Arizona State for a seventh win.
7. UCLA: This is another team that could use a win to make sure its in a bowl game. Beating USC would not only do that, but be a game that turns the program around.
8. Arizona State: It has been a rough go for the Sun Devils. Playing spoiler to the Wildcats will bring the best of out of them.
9. Washington: A good way to salvage the season is an Apple Cup victory. Huskies have the ability to get by the Cougars and got into the offseason strong.
10: Washington: That was a good fight put up against the Beavers, but the Cougars just don’t have the weapons at the moment.
3 comments
Tweets that mention Cliff: Pac-10 rankings « Cliff Kirkpatrick -- Topsy.com says:
Nov 23, 2009
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cliff Kirkpatrick, The Orange One. The Orange One said: Cliff: Pac-10 rankings http://tinyurl.com/yj5dxt9 [...]
tradernum1 says:
Nov 23, 2009
I would like to correct my earlier comment. It's not "some beavers" yapping, it was one individual (who had a chance to go to the rose bowl LAST year).
Beavs please. No yapping, just work. You have our belief that you can do it, but
losers talk, winners work.
DaMonkey says:
Nov 23, 2009
Big Beaver fan here… and a realist at that. I am not sure how our D stops them… I just can't visualize it. We'll have to outscore them like Stanford did… but with 12 days to prepare and scheme, I don't see their defense getting burned like that again. I am a big time pessimist here… prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best.