It was a rough week at the top of the Pacific-10 Conference. The top two football teams survived upsets and No. 3 and No. 4 traded places.
Most shocking was the win by Washington State as Oregon State falters down the stretch.
It’s a race for the No. 4, and probably last, bowl spot for the conference. Cal, UCLA and long shots OSU and Washington are still alive — but barely.
Here’s my latest look at the conference:
1. Oregon (10-0, 7-0): Being No. 1 is hard. Cal nearly knocked the Ducks off. With Arizona and OSU left, they should stay undefeated.
2. Stanford (9-1, 6-1): Cardinal better play better after near loss to Arizona State. It needs to make BSC at-large statements.
3. Southern California (7-3, 4-3): For a team not eligible for the postseason the Trojans are doing a good job of knocking people off.
4. Arizona (7-3, 4-3): Loss to USC didn’t hurt the bowl game standings. That will wake them up for Oregon in two weeks.
5. California (5-5, 3-4): Played Oregon close at home. Season ending clash with UCLA could determine if Golden Bears make a bowl game.
6. UCLA (4-5, 2-4): Bye gets Bruins ready for two road trips and a USC game at home. Play like they did against OSU and there’s hope.
7. Washington (3-6, 2-4): Bye allows QB Jake Locker to recover from injury. It’s unlikely, but they must win three straight for bowl game.
8. Arizona State (4-6, 2-5): Sun Devils still fighting after a close loss to Stanford. They are now working for next year.
9. Washington State (2-9, 1-7): The Cougars have been close and put it all together on the Beavers to show who is the better team.
10. Oregon State (4-5, 3-3): Stock dropped dramatically in two weeks with embarrassing losses. Losing is one thing, but to the Cougars?
14 comments
angrybeaver says:
May 18, 2012
Cliff, that is pretty ridiculous to put WSU ahead of OSU.
a. Is OSU better than Arizona just because they beat them?
b. OSU beat Arizona and Arizona State…did Washington State?
Come on now.
http://angrybeavs.com
ean says:
May 18, 2012
I guess it depends on how you view power rankings. To me power rankings should be a snapshot. Right now I don't think there is a team in the Pac-10 the Beavers would beat. Sure they have played better than last place in the past and their record backs it up but right now I agree with Cliff. Records aren't the end all be all for power rankings, power rankings are more an eyeball test.
ckirkpatrick says:
May 18, 2012
Snapshot is a good way to look at it. The Beavers can't beat UCLA and WSU in the last two weeks. Those are two of the worst teams in the conference. At this moment, OSU is lower than them.
Standings are the overall look at the season because it has who has the most wins vs. losses. The standings have OSU much higher.
And to think, the Beavers still can be bowl eligible with two wins in three games. Would OSU rise in my rankings if it won two games? Of course.
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
What is going on at OSU? Does anyone dare try to break down what is happening with the OSU football program?
1) Coaching: Offensive/ Defensive Coordinators are inept. OSU's outcoached.
2) Injuries: James and other key players out for the season
3) Bad Luck: A few unlucky bounces, seconds added, Big gains taken away.
4) Recruiting: OSU lacks the talent to get it done. But they beat UA & Cal!
These are just a few problems that are brought up in discussion boards. If it's not too painful, does anyone want to attempt at some solutions?
Harry_Beaver says:
May 18, 2012
The loss at home to WSU falls squarely on the coaches. It it their JOB to have the players ready and motivated for a game like this. Clearly they failed to do this. And I don't wanna hear "well, the coaches can't PLAY the game." That's a worthless excuse. Perhaps the Beavers should hire a sports psychologist to figure out what's wrong with this team. The Beavers simply have too much talent to lose to a team like WSU. Surely the loss of James Rodgers isn't to blame for the poor execution on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Also, Cliff noted that Quizz was getting on the case of the offensive line for not doing their job. Bad move, Quizz. This is a team effort. And it's not your job, Quizz, to chastise the line for underperformance. Just do your job the best you can and leave the coaching to the coaches who, unfortunately, failed to do THEIR job.
Time to rise from the ashes and begin to build a team for next year.
GoBeavs64 says:
May 18, 2012
I disagree with you about Quizz getting on the linebackers , as long as the Beaver offensive scheme consists of using him 90% of the plays , then he has a right to demand they step up and do their jobs. Quizz won't run anywhere as long as the holes and the blocks are not being made. I would be pissed off too and any rusher in his right mind would be too. I think that if you keep it in long enough and say nothing , it's going to build up to a point where you either explode or you just quit along with everyone else. Cut the man some slack. Someone has to lead this team , Riley isn't .
Harry_Beaver says:
May 18, 2012
One player, the "star player", in this case, dissing his teammates only creates dissent. Firing up his teammates is one thing, bashing them in the press is another.
As I said, a bad move by Quizz.
osbeavs says:
May 18, 2012
I think he has every right to slight the lineman. They clearly aren't trying for him. He is gunna get hurt with the way blocks keep getting missed. Only thing that he risks right now is that the lineman will purposefully miss blocks, not sure if they weren't already. The line has clearly already quit.
ean says:
May 18, 2012
Just a pathetic effort. It wasn't the fact we lost it was the fact the Beavers didn't seem to care if the Cougs were going to break their losing streak verse them. No fire whatsoever. We need to look deep and make some changes this season and in the off season. Don't know if that means personnel or system but something must change.
Surfcommand says:
May 18, 2012
Cliff,
I was wondering if the first hit in the game on Jacquizz will be reviewed by the Pac 10? The player clearly was attempting to hurt him by driving Jacquizz 5 yards past the slideline into the ashpalt. The WAC suspended the one BSU player for the head to head hit on James Rogers; although a pathetic 2 quarters. It seems the WSU player should get an suspension for at least one game.
ckirkpatrick says:
May 18, 2012
Mike Riley is not asking for anything specific, but will let the Pac-10 review like it normally does.
BeaverDon says:
May 18, 2012
I wouldn't expect Riley to ask for anything. He seems to show no emotion during or after games, so why would we expect him to ask the Pac-10 for a review
GoBeavs64 says:
May 18, 2012
I think Riley has done alot for the team , the school, and it's fans with the success that it has had in past seasons but I cannot abide by a man with so little emotion or willingness to speak up or fight for his team. Maybe if he had gotten on the officials hard and maybe even gotten in the face of the offending Wazu player ( not hit him or physically touch him, just verbally ) maybe that would have put some fire in his players and we would have gone on to kick some ass . Mike just doesn't seem to have the emotion and verbal ability to inspire the team
GoBeavs64 says:
May 18, 2012
You know , I think Harry_Beaver may have a good idea , the sports psychologist thing that is. I have been thinking that myself but didn't want to say anything for fear others might think I was over reading all this and think I might be the one with issues, but I think he has a good point I think there must be some underlying mental issues ( not saying they are nuts so relax ) with the team that we as fans can't see I am talking about things like a subconscious fear of success , lack of focus for whatever reason etc , maybe this should be looked into .
As far as MR not complaining about the late hits on Quizz , thanks again for presenting a great message to your team , your not a confrontational person are you Mike ? How can you let an opposing player ( s ) rough up one of your guys OFF the field of play and not protest it . Get some balls man or get out of Corvallis , the Beavers need coaches with balls , with fire , intensity , someone who can motivate their players. You don't have it , but you can get it , work on it. Letting Boise players drag Quizz 15 yards down field with his helmet off is one thing , but that Wazu player tossing him on the concrete like a professional wrestler ? Damn man !