Posted on November 4, 2024
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Multiple teams in the West had byes over the weekend while several posted respectable wins.
Oregon beat Michigan on the road, Boise State crushed San Diego State, Arizona State notched a convincing win over a traditional Big 12 team, and Washington made a statement.
And Colorado State quietly remained undefeated in Mountain West Conference play.
With another weekend of games to digest, here’s how I view the Top 10 Teams in the West heading into Week 11.
1. Oregon (6-0, 9-0) ◄►
Last Week: Defeated Michigan 38-17
This Week: vs. Maryland
The Ducks have taken over the Big Ten in their first season.
The victories over perennial powerhouses Michigan and Ohio State establish Oregon as the new leader of the league. In a perfect world, UO would meet Penn State in the Big Ten Championship Game to complete the trifecta.
Regardless, it’s clear that the race for the Big Ten title now runs through Eugene.
2. BYU (5-0, 8-0) ◄►
Last Week: Bye
This Week: at Utah
Kalani Sitake and the Cougars significantly benefitted from the bye week.
Iowa State and Kansas State both dropped games, making the path to the Big 12 Championship Game easier.
Still, if anything, the results from the past weekend show that BYU can’t take anyone lightly.
3. Boise State (4-0, 7-1) ◄►
Last Week: Defeated San Diego State 56-24
This Week: vs. Nevada
Boise State is well-positioned to make the College Football Playoff.
The Committee will view the blowout win over San Diego State favorably and the Broncos have a strong resume.
Should a higher-ranked Power 4 Conference champion fall, a one-loss BSU would be in line to secure a first-round CFP bye.
4. Colorado (4-1, 6-2) ◄►
Last Week: Bye
This Week: at Texas Tech
Coach Prime has the Buffs tied for second place in the Big 12 standings.
The offseason improvements to the offensive line were what the program needed in its transition to a new conference.
The year-over-year growth has given CU a chance to make the Playoff and the matchup at Texas Tech this weekend might be the most important game of the Sanders era so far.
5. Washington State (7-1) ◄►
Last Week: Bye
This Week: vs Utah State
Credit the Washington State coaching staff and players for putting together a strong season.
Left in the dust during realignment, not many expected Wazzu to be in this position as the year draws to a close.
At 7-1, with the lone defeat coming to Boise State, the Playoff remains a possibility.
6. Arizona State (3-2, 6-2) ▲1
Last Week: Defeated Oklahoma State 42-21
This Week: vs. UCF
It’s not just that Arizona State beat Oklahoma State in Stillwater.
It was the way the Sun Devils did it.
The blowout win over the Cowboys solidified any remaining doubts about the quality of this year’s team.
There’s a chance that ASU can make the Big 12 Championship with a shot at the Playoff.
7. UNLV (2-1, 6-2) ▼1
Last Week: Bye
This Week: at Hawai’i
The timing of the bye week might have been a blessing in disguise.
The UNLV players should come out with something to prove this weekend, needing to get the loss to Boise State out of their system.
And after Hawai’i shocked Fresno State at home, there’s zero chance that Barry Odom’s team overlooks the Warriors.
8. Washington (3-3, 5-4) ▲NR
Last Week: Defeated USC 26-21
This Week: at Penn State
Jedd Fisch got his second signature victory of the season.
The result over USC was a program-building win that forms a foundational piece of UW’s rebuild.
The Trojans might not be the program they once were, but beating SC should have a beneficial impact on recruiting.
Finishing the year with six wins and a bowl game would further jumpstart the progress for the Dawgs.
9. California (0-4, 4-4) ◄►
Last Week: Bye
This Week: vs. Wake Forest
The Golden Bears face a Litmus Test this weekend on the road at Wake Forest.
Justin Wilcox’s team still doesn’t have a win in ACC play but should throttle the Deacons. If Cal is legitimate, the game won’t be close.
Any struggles, on the other hand, would be a red flag and expose the program as a paper tiger.
10. Colorado State (4-0, 6-3) ▲NR
Last Week: Defeated Nevada 38-21
This Week: Bye
Colorado State is somewhat of an enigma.
The Rams haven’t blown out any of their conference opponents and have a questionable loss to Oregon State on their record.
But CSU is 4-0 in Mountain West play and the nonconference losses to Texas and Colorado aren’t that damaging.
The path to the Conference championship game is clear without UNLV or Boise State on their schedule.
Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.
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