Here's the column that helps make the season a little better, Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard. We still miss you, Tom Kelly.
Summaries
UCLA 34- USC 27: The Trojans stumbled into this game after an abysmal showing at home v. Cal the previous week. The Trojans should have easily whipped a UCLA squad that limped into this game at 2-8 with only 57 scholarship players. However, among a smattering of fans at the Rose Bowl, Clueless Clay Helton's squad stumbled and bumbled their way to an embarrassing loss while creating a bRuin folk hero in the process. The stumbling and bumbling came courtesy of the USC O-line that couldn't find a way to run the ball on a UCLA team that came into the game ranked 113th in the FBS in rushing defense. This poor performance was aided by a few more bad snaps and missed blocks by center Toa Lobendahn. QB JT Daniels also had his hand in the offensive woes by locking into one receiver on pass plays and throwing two horrendous interceptions. Meanwhile, USC's defense created a bRuin folk hero in RB Josh Kelley. The D-line being manhandled all game long combined with a lack of adjustments by DC Clancy Pendergast led to the UC Davis transfer setting the all-time rivalry record with 289 yards rushing on 40 carries. Kelley also scored two touchdowns. His second one proved to be the game winner.
Telling Stat: 13-0; UCLA took control of this game and outscored USC 13-0 in the final period to take the Victory Bell over to Westwood.
Washington State 69- Arizona 28: Many believed that a healthy Khalil Tate could lead the Wildcats to an upset of the Cougars in the Palouse. Then the game started. The Cougs hung a quick double nickel on Arizona and took a 55-14 lead into the half. UofA tried to mount a comeback, but Wazzu easily matched their second half efforts and emptied the benches in this laugher. QB Gardner Minshew II torched the Wildcats, completing 43 of 55 passes for 473 yards and seven TDs. The seven TDs are a new Wazzu record for TD passes in a game. For the outclassed Wildcats, QB Khalil Tate threw for 294 yards and four TDs.
Telling Stat: 7 for 8 is great in the Palouse; Wazzu absolutely torched the Arizona secondary, scoring TDs on seven of their eight first half drives to grab the easy W and set up their showdown with Washington for the Pac 12 North title this week.
Utah 30- Colorado 7: Utah had the 12:30 PM start in the snow of Colorado and they needed to win this game to have shot at being the Pac 12 South champions. Things didn't look so good forth Utes with the score tied 7-7 at the half. The Utah offense had sputtered against the soft Colorado defense who had a real shot of upsetting their neighbors. Utah's offense then came out firing in the third quarter and the Buffs upset chances fell by the wayside. The Utes scored 17 points on a 33-yard field goal by PK Matt Gay, a 47-yard TD pass from QB Jason Shelley and a 1-yard TD plunge by RB Armand Shyne to take a stranglehold on the game at 24-7 to start the final period. The Utah defense continued to render the Colorado offense inert for the rest of second half as Gay tacked on two more field goals to give Utah their final points in a 30-7 win. Shelley completed only 11 of 23 passes, but he did throw for two TDs and 221 yards. Meanwhile RB Trevor McMillian ran for 41 yards and CU's only score in the loss.
Telling Stat: Second half shutdown; Utah's tough defense held Colorado to a paltry four total yards in the third quarter. That enabled the Utes offense to put the game away. Colorado finished the half with 76 total yards, with 72 of those yards coming after the game was decided.
Oregon 31- Arizona State 29: ASU entered this game knowing that despite Utah winning earlier in the day that they had control over their own destiny. Win their final two games and they would win the Pac 12 South. However, the Sun Devils never found their way in a tough loss on Senior Night in Eugene. The Sun Devils faced a 28-13 halftime deficit due to having to settle for field goals on two drives deep into Oregon territory while Quack QB Justin Herbert and RBs C.J. Verdell and Jaylon Redd accounted for four TDs. ASU's defense found some life in the second half and shutdown the Ducks, allowing just three points in the final 30 minutes, but the ASU offense just couldn't make the comeback. With 4:35 to play QB Manny Wilkins found the Oregon end zone form a yard out to pull the boys from Tempe within two points. However, the two point conversion failed when WR Frank Darby failed to come down in bounds with a pass from Wilkins. Despite concerns form ASU coaches and fans, Darby's toe was on the end line by just a hair and was ruled correctly to be out of bounds. ASU still had one last shot to win the game when they picked off Herbert with 3:47 to play. The Sun Devils division title hope then died when Wilkins fumbled while being sacked and the Ducks recovered to seal the win. For UO, Herbert totaled 262 yards passing with a pair of TDs and a pair of interceptions. In the loss, Wilkins threw for 182 yards and two TDs while also running for a score. RB Eno Benjamin toted the rock 29 times for 149 to lead all rushers.
Telling Stat: ; The didn't make 'em pay. Arizona State forced four Oregon turnovers, but only scored 10 point off those turnovers. That just wasn't enough to get a big W on the road.
Washington 42- Oregon State 23: It was Senior Day in Seattle and the Huskies didn't disappoint the home crowd in a thrashing of the Beavers. The Dawgs raced out to a 28-3 lead in the first quarter thanks to a two TD passes from QB Jake Browning and a pair of TD runs by RB Salvon Ahmed. The Dawgs defense held the Beavers at bay while the offense safely kept the game out of reach. The Dawgs emptied the bench with a 42-16 lead in the final period and got some early rest for their trip to Pullman and the battle for the Apple Cup next week. Browning threw for 135 yards and three TDs while the RB Combo of Ahmed and Myles Gaskin combined to pound the Beavers for 211 yards and three TDs on 27 carries. RB Jermar Jefferson ran for 115 yards on 19 carries in the defeat for OSU.
Telling Stat: They got off the field; Washington held Oregon State to just 2 of 14 on 3rd down conversions and that kept the Beavers from mounting a serious threat in this game.
Observations
...Titles in the air; All around me here are teams playing for titles. Just up the hill Palos Verdes High School is playing in the CIF Southern Section Division 5 title game, while rival Peninsula High is playing in the division 11 title tilt. Throw in Narbonne who is playing for the LA City title and San Pedro who is playing for the LA City's second tier title game and that is a lot of good football being played win this area.
...From the Not where I live department; Fans were warned to not throw snowballs on the field in the Utah-Colorado game. Snow(ball) Day
...On, Brave old Army team; The Black Knights of the Hudson are ranked #23 in the AP Poll, the first time they have cracked the top 25 since 1996.
...The law won; Watch this ref take out West Virginia RB Kennedy McCoy. Forearm Shiver
...He's gone; After early reports of his coming firing surfaced last week, Colorado made it official and fired HC Mike MacIntyre on Sunday. MacIntyre will not coach the Buffs in their final game of the year at Cal.
...Not lively place; People love to to talk about how Nebraska has been sold out for every home game since 1962 and what passion that shows. I think it shows that there is nothing else to do in Nebraska.
...3 for 60; USC has scored a grand total of three points in the second half of their last two games. SMH.
...Go for it!; That has to be Army's motto this year. The Cadets gone for it on fourth down 33 times this season and have converted 30 of those attempts. Wow.
...A game that shook the Big Ten; This Saturday when Michigan takes on the Buckeyes in Columbus, it will mark the 45th anniversary of the infamous 10-10 tie between Woody's Buckeyes and Bo's Wolverines that left the decision of who would represent the Big Ten in the 1974 Rose Bowl in the hands of the league's Athletic Directors. The result of the vote would alter the Big Ten forever. Here's a great documentary on that 1973 game. Tiebreaker
...The kid is good; Oregon State freshman RB Jermar Jefferson is my the Pac 12 Freshman of the Year. The kid is nails.
...Kansas is a no bull zone; Texas mascot Bevo will not be in Lawrence this week as the Longhorns take on the Jayhawks due to a "no live mascot" policy by the KU administration. It will be only the second time in 73 years that Bevo won't be on the Texas sideline for a Thanksgiving week game.
...WWLeach; Had to love the press conference this past week where WSU HC Mike Leach breaks down who would win a WWE style Battle Royale of the Pac 12 head coaches. PAC12 Throwdown
...Pennsy Rumor; Various media outlets are reporting that Penn State HC James Franklin is being talked to about taking the USC job if/when Clay Helton is fired. Two reactions here... One, I think this is a posturing move by Franklin's agent for more cash and raises for Franklin and his assistants. Two, why would I want to hire a coach to that was beaten by Clay Helton? SMH.
...A sobering thought; The best Trojan to play in the Coliseum this year is Rams WR Robert Woods.
...For all the mountain marbles; Utah State square off at Boise State this week where the winner will claim the Mountain division and face West Division winner Fresno State in the MWC title game.
...Paying more for Les; Kansas has inked former LSU HC Les Miles to a five-year deal that will pay him $2.775 million per year. Will he have the same schematic advantage as Charile Weis? Just askin'.
...An ancient eight classic; 50 years ago this week was maybe the greatest game in Ivy League history when Harvard came back from the dead to tie Yale, 29-29. The Harvard Crimson newspaper put it so well, so long ago in this headline... Harvard beats Yale 29-29
...Leachfeld; WSU HC Mike Leach shows folks his inner George Costanza with this painting in his office. Only in Pullman
...1960; USC's 34-27 loss to UCLA marked the first time in 58 years that a Trojan squad had dropped a game to an eight loss team. That eight loss team in 1960 was Notre Dame. The Trojans were shutout, 17-0 by a quite forgettable ND bunch.
...A striped crown; Princeton is your Ivy League champ for 2018. The Tigers finished the season at 10-0 with an offense that averaged 47 points and 537 yards per game. Not bad for a bunch of future stock brokers. Oh, and Princeton's Ivy prowess sparked this jab form SB Nation. "149 Years Later, Princeton is still better at football than Rutgers."
...Buck-dogs; TheeeOSU is a 3.5 point home underdog against Michigan this week. The Buckeyes had been the favorite in their previous 51 games.
...Palouse pastings; In their last two trips to Washington State, Arizona has given up 138 points and 1,219 yards of offense to the Cougars. OUCH!
...An Ex-49er; Charlotte has fired HC Brad Lambert. His record was a dismal 21-48, but he was the only coach this program had ever had. He oversaw the team from program inception to now.
...Do it right; USC needs a real university president, a real AD with actual experience in running an athletic department and a HC that values tough, physical football. Until that occurs, the Trojans will be a joke in the Pac 12 and the nation.
CFL Update
The Calgary Stampeders will take on the Ottawa Redblacks in the 106th Grey Cup this week. Ottawa whipped HC June Jones' Hamilton squad 46-27 to advance, while the Stampeders held off a determined bunch of Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 22-14 to make their fifth appearance in the Grey Cup in the last six years. The Grey Cup will be played this coming Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta. Game time weather is forecasted to be 23 degrees with a 10% chance of snow.
The Championship Chase
Here's how the Power Five conference races look going into the final week before the conference title games.
ACC
It will Pittsburgh v. Clemson in the ACC title game. Both squads have clinched their division races.
Big Ten
Northwestern is the Big 10 West Champion and will face the winner of the Michigan-Ohio State game for the league title in two weeks.
Big XII
If Texas beats Kansas, the Longhorns make the title game. Whoever wins the Oklahoma-West Virginia game will go to the title game and the loser will go home, unless Texas loses to Kansas. If that happens then a three-way tie-breaker scenario between West Virginia, Texas and Iowa State could occur. That would be a mess.
Pac 12
Utah clinched the South division when ASU lost to Oregon. The Utes will face the winner of Washington-Washington State game for the league title.
SEC
Alabama and Georgia clinched their divisions awhile ago and will face off for the league crown in two weeks.
Ugly Uniform of the Week
Gotta go with the LA Rams here. For the love of all things good with football, I want the Rams to please stop dressing their very good team in a lousy uniform. This all-gold color rush uniform makes me wish black and white TV would make a comeback.
Pac 12 Things to be Thankful For
USC Fans hope to be thankful for Clay Helton's firing next Sunday.
UCLA is thankful for Clay Helton.
Arizona is thankful they don't have to play at Wazzu next year.
ASU is thankful for Herm Edwards.
Oregon is thankful that Willie Taggart left.
Oregon State is thankful the season is almost over.
Wazzu is thankful that Mike Leach didn't take the ASU job a few years ago.
Washington's just thankful that Jake Browning's career is almost over.
Utah is thankful for Clay Helton.
Colorado is thankful for ski season.
Stanford is thankful for a road game.
California is thankful for Clay Helton.
Departments
Low Score Game of the Week: Helena, MT- We go to the NAIA for this week's winner. The Mountaineers of Eastern Oregon University got a safety off a blocked punt and two field goals to beat the Carroll College (MT) Fighting Saints, 8-7. The game winning kick was a 49-yarder form PK Nathan Harden with 4:59 left. EOU won despite being outgained by nearly 150 yards in the contest.
Blowout Game of the Week: Collegeville, MN- This week's blowout comes form the first round of the D-III playoffs. The Johnnies of St. John's (MN) wiped out the Martin Luther Knights, 84-6. If there ever was game that was over early it was this one. St. John's QB Jackson Erdman threw five TD passes to to help give the Johnnies a 42-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. That's not a typo, SJU held a 42-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Erdman played a few minutes more and finished the game with 289 yard passing and six TDs. SJU ran up 717 yards of offense and 32 first down in this epic beatdown. St. John's moves on to play Whitworth who spanked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the first round, 48-6.
C.W. Post Press: Brookeville, NY- Slippery Rock held the Pioneers to just 10 yards rushing in a 20-14 upset win to knock the Pioneers out of the D-II playoffs. Post's last chance to extend their season died when QB Chris Laviano's 4th down pass fell incomplete at the Slippery Rock 32-yard line with 45 seconds left. Slippery Rock controlled the tempo and the game with a strong rushing attack that help them build a 17-6 halftime edge. RB Wes Hills was the star for SLU gaining 168 yards on 33 carries with a touchdown. Laviano threw for 333 yards, a TD and two interceptions in the loss. Post finishes the year at 10-1 while Slippery Rock will take on New Haven who upset West Chester, 35-28 to reach the second round.
Razorback Report: Arkansas got whipped at Mississippi State, 52-6 and will try to end the season on a high note at Missouri this week.
This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...
I never really knew that couch tables existed until this week.
Everything has gone form Pumpkin Spice to Peppermint this week.
Fritos are so bad, yet so good.
Until next week folks, half-time adjustments are the most critical thing a coach can do to win on gameday.
-The Commissioner
