Just two weeks ago, after a heartbreaking loss to Cal, everyone, Unafraidshow included, thought that UW football was out. In that loss, Washington was reluctant to score touchdowns and ultimately failed offensively. In a tight race for College Football Playoffs, in-conference losses like that make or break a season.
However, somehow, UW football is still in the mix. They are the No. 17 team in the nation, third to California (No. 15) and Oregon (No. 13). Even with the loss to Cal, Washington is showing signs that they can fight for the Pac-12 North.
In a dominant win, Jacob Eason dismantled through the air. He was precise, making tight-window after tight-window throw. In the first half, Eason had a streak of 13-consecutive completions. Additionally, Eason displayed a big arm and a knack for making big plays out of nothing.
Efficiently, Eason finished 24 of 28 with 290 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He continues to impress scouts, fans and the Pac-12 alike.
The Rest of the UW Football Offense
Aside from the Huskies loss to Cal, Eason and the UW offense looks incredible. The two-headed rush attack of Sean McGrew and Richard Newton is consistent and powerful. But, the receivers are making the big difference. Aaron Fuller is making big plays, both in the receiving game and on special teams.
88-YARD HOUSECALL 💨📞@UW_Football's Aaron Fuller was gone on this punt return.
Adding to Fuller’s playmaking are seniors Andre Baccellia and Hunter Bryant. While Baccellia is certainly having a solid start of the season, Hunter Bryant continues to be the most difficult man to cover. Bryant is too big, too strong for a defensive back. But, he’s also too fast and shifty for a linebacker to try and cover him. He’s looking more and more like a first or second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
If the offense continues to make big plays, UW football will be the one to beat.
Strength of Schedule
In the Pac-12 North, UW football is competing with Oregon and Cal for the top spot. After reviewing their rest of season schedules, there are some intriguing findings.
AP Ranked Opponents:
Cal: 3 (Oregon, USC, Utah)
Oregon: 3 (Cal, USC, Washington)
UW: 3 (Oregon, USC, Utah)
Shared Opponents:
Cal & Oregon Share 4 Opponents
Oregon & UW Share 5 Opponents
Cal & UW Share 6 opponents
Rest of Season Competitors Record
Cal: 18-13
Oregon: 22-8
UW: 19-11
First, it should be noted that anything can happen in the Pac-12. If this season has proven anything, it’s that the Pac-12 is full of cannibals. No team is safe in-conference.
Second, it’s important to note that UW football and Cal have much easier schedules than Oregon. But, the overall record (4-0) and strength of schedule still side with Cal.
UW Football and Cal have the edge over Oregon
Last, Oregon has to play both Washington and Cal. In order to get a top spot, Oregon has to make it past both of them. That’s going to be quite difficult based off of recent play. The overall edge still goes to Cal in their schedule. But, UW football fans can take solace in the similarities between Cal and UW’s rest of season. If Cal slips, UW can leap them.
Week 3 was great, but Week 4 of Pac-12 football was unbelievable. There were a plethora of upsets, heartbreaks and big-time players. Which offensive players made the biggest differences this week?
Somehow, even though Gordon threw nine, yes nine, touch down passes, Washington State lost. It’s incredible how good Anthony Gordon continues to be, but he’s anchored by WSU’s dreadful defense.
Yes, Washington State blew a 49-17 lead. But, was that Gordon’s fault? Here are the results of each Washington State drive in the second half:
Anthony Gordon touchdown pass
Anthony Gordon touchdown pass
Anthony Gordon completes pass to Rodrick Fisher, then Fisher loses fumble
Punt
Anthony Gordon completes pass to Dezmon Patmon, then Patmon loses fumble
Anthony Gordon touchdown pass
Punt
Anthony Gordon touchdown pass
Anthony Gordon completes pass to Eason Winston Jr., then Winston Jr. loses fumble
Anthony Gordon sacked and loses fumble
Honestly, Gordon’s second half was still ridiculous. He still threw four touchdowns, but he was hampered by three of his players. Fisher, Patmon and Winston Jr. lost the ball and stopped the drives. Looking back at this game, people will inevitably remember Gordon as a loser. But, Anthony Gordon just gave Pac-12 football a performance of a lifetime.
Best Running Back Performance
Max Borghi – Washington State
Electric. Mex Borghi continues to impress with his versatility. As a runner, he’s capable of breaking 50-plus runs at any time. But, Borghi also adds a large threat as a receiver, evidenced by his 65-yard touchdown against UCLA.
This season, Borghi has 325 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, 13 receptions, 169 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. He’s the type of pass-catching running back the NFL craves.
Best Wide Receiver Performance
Tony Brown – Colorado
In Colorado’s victory (yet another Pac-12 football upset), Tony Brown accounted for three of their four touchdowns. He caught touchdown passes of 29-yards, 31-yards and 20-yards. His touchdowns were each unique and displayed a well-rounded skill-set:
Scramble-Drill and YAC
Diving Catch in End Zone
Contested Catch in End Zone
https://youtu.be/t5SD4SNATeY
Best of all, this game was out of nowhere for Tony Brown. Currently, his career high in receiving yards is 333 yards in one season. Against Arizona State, he had 150 yards. Prior to this game, he totaled three receiving touchdowns. In his career! During this game, he had three. It was unbelievable. Laviska Shenault Jr. was out and Tony Brown had the best game of his career. What a story for Pac-12 football fans!
Best Tight End Performance
Jake Tonges – Cal
As easy as it would be to give this award to Jacob Breeland again, it goes to Jake Tonges. Yes, Breeland is certainly deserving with his two-touchdown performance. But, it was against freefalling Stanford. Tonges, on the other hand, made the difference against Ole Miss. With this performance, he helped Pac-12 football earn more respect.
Against Ole Miss, Tonges made all his money in the second half. His receptions were more than just the box-score shows. Here are the results of his three receptions:
On 3rd & 14, Tongues makes a 15-yard catch for a first downTwo plays later, Cal scores a touchdown
Tongues catches a 60-yard touchdown pass
Tongues catches a 13 yard pass, resulting in a first down
Who are the Best Pac-12 football players?
If you disagree with this list, send in your own recommendations. Each week, Unafraidshow will rank the best quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end performances from Pac-12 football. Be sure to comment or tweet at unafraidshow with your favorite moments of each Pac-12 football week.
Sitting at No.10 overall, Utah eyes its first college football playoff birth. It’s a great time to be a Utah fan. Their upcoming matchup is the Pac-12 South game of the year. Utah vs USC. No. 10 Utes vs the now-competitive Trojans. If Utah continues to win, they’ll surely rise up the ranks. But, Pac-12 scheduling set this game for Friday night. Will this night game hurt their national exposure? In a line of poor ideas and bad commissioning from Larry Scott, Utah’s late matchup harms both Utah and the Pac-12. The conference outsources it’s scheduling to a company in Colorado. Then the Pac-12 brass, school presidents, and athletic directors approve it.
The Problem with Night Games
Keep in mind, night games are not inherently a problem. Especially for east coast teams and viewers. But, on a Friday night, Pac-12 games can be extremely bothersome. For example, the Utah vs USC game starts at 6:00pm on the west coast. That’s not too bad. For those who get off work at 5:00, they can make it home by the first whistle.
However, that same time is 9:00pm for east coast viewers. It’s not rocket science to figure out why that is a bad idea. Because college football games last an average of 3 1/2 hours, they have to stay up past midnight to see how it ends. 12:30am, at the end of a workweek, to watch a Pac-12 rivalry game. Honestly, how many non-conference fans would commit to that for Pac-12 games? It undermines national exposure for the Pac-12 conference.
Even Chris Peterson agrees with this sentiment.
“It hurts us tremendously in terms of national exposure. No one wants to watch our game on the East Coast that late, and we all know it,”
Late games just get less eyes. From fans, from scouts and from the press. For a contending team like Utah, they need all the eyes they can get. But, because of Larry Scott and his ideas, he’s holding back the Pac-12. Again.
We Discuss the Friday Night games more on Pac-12 Apostles Podcast
“The reason we play almost a third of our games at night is that was a way to unlock significant value from television in our last negations,” Scott said. “ESPN and Fox placed a high value on us giving them a little more flexibility and being willing to play more night games.”
“We essentially extend their day,” Scott said. “We give them a whole other window of high-quality, highly rated games. … Playing more night games than we did in the past unlocked the kind of value our schools were looking for.”
To Larry Scott, the exclusivity of the late-night games are worth the pain. With more flexibility to play later, he claims to obtain “high value”. However, perhaps it is just a complete lack of leverage. Recall that Larry Scott deliberately put a wedge between major networks and the Pac-12. Betting on the Pac-12 Network to hit it big didn’t happen. Because every other power five conference has contracts with these networks, it leaves the Pac-12 to pick up the scraps. So, instead of putting the lower-ranked teams in the Friday night lights, Larry Scott and the Pac-12 schedulers put Utah.
For goodness sake, the Utah vs USC game deserves to get national exposure. The Utes deserve that. Does anyone think Roll Tide fans would stand for this? Of course not. If Larry Scott wants a Pac-12 program to make it to the college playoffs, he has to put steps in place for them to get there. Playing on Saturday, during the day, when everyone can view them, is best practice. But, then again, it’s unclear if Larry Scott actually knows what’s best for the Pac-12.
There were some incredible performances from the NFL in Week 2. While some colleges like Cal had a multitude of options for this Best Pac-12 NFL Players list, others like Arizona barely had one. Which alumni from your college had the best Week 2? Check out the list below!
Arizona
Will Parks – Denver Broncos
While Will Parks isn’t great, he’s not bad either. Parks was on the field for 82-percent of defensive snaps for the Broncos. No, he didn’t record any counting stats. But, as a strong safety, he doesn’t have to record stats to have a positive impact. Denver held Chicago to just 16 points. More importantly, they held Mitchell Trubisky to 120 yards. It was a good game for the Denver defense. So, it also was a good day for Parks.
All in all, Will Parks is a good NFL player and gets consistent snaps for the Broncos. That’s more than the rest of the Arizona alumni can say. Yes, he was on this list last week. But until someone else from Arizona can step up, Parks will remain on the Best Pac-12 NFL Players list.
Arizona State
Vontaze Burfict – Oakland Raiders
Even though the Oakland Raiders lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 28-10, the defense actually played well. They held Mahomes and company scoreless three out of four quarters. Against KC, Vontaze Burfict played 97-percent of defensive snaps. Win, lose or tie, he was out there for the Raiders. Burfict is a consistent, albeit dirty, NFL player. The linebacker racked up 4 tackles and a pass defense, in addition to being sent after Mahomes. No, they didn’t win and no he didn’t get any sacks or turnovers. But, it was still a good game for Burfict in his new home and why Burfict is one of the best Pac-12 NFL players this year.
We gotta give @TooLoose26 major props for protecting his QB from big scary meanie Vontaze Burfict on this play. Grown man move. pic.twitter.com/S1CoHhbTM3
Against the formidable Los Angeles Rams, Cameron Jordan returned a fumble 80 yards for a touchdown. Then, the refs blew it. Saints fans died a little more this week. Not only did they see their third straight game with officiating blunders. This time also came amidst a Drew Brees injury. It’s a bad time to be a Saints fan.
Nonetheless, Cameron Jordan is still a force to be reckoned with. His career makes a case for him to not only be one of the best Pac-12 NFL players this week, but all time. Even without the touchdown, Jordan accounted for:
5 Tackles
1 Tackle for a Loss
2 QB Hits
1 Sack
1 Fumble Recovery
This was also his second game straight with at least 5 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 QB hits and 1 sack. He is unstoppable right now. Well, unless the refs get in his way.
Colorado
Ahkello Witherspoon – San Francisco 49ers
Yet again, Witherspoon highlights Colorado with exceptional defense. However, it wasn’t all pretty.
Ahkello Witherspoon drops a pick-six, kicks the ball and it drills a security guy in the head. He gets called for delay of game.
While he didn’t get the pick-6 in this game, he still made up for it with impressive play. Witherspoon totaled 5 tackles and 2 passes defended. But, his overall quarterback rating when targeted speaks volumes on his play. Ahkello was one of the best Pac-12 NFL players of any school in Weeks 1 and 2 of the NFL season.
With play like this, Witherspoon is making a case to earn a big paycheck. The 49ers desperately needed playmakers on defense the past few seasons and it seems Ahkello Witherspoon is stepping up weekly.
In another dominant, defensive win, Arik Armstead helped the 49ers cruise past the Cincinnati Bengals. In their win, Armstead played 43 defensive snaps. During that time, he was able to make 3 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit and 1 sack. He constantly frustrated the Bengals. The 49ers have a plethora of defensive linemen to create pressure (a lot of them that could become some of the best Pac-12 NFL players). And it looks like Arik Armstead is taking advantage of his situation.
In Week 2, the Buffalo Bills comfortably beat the New York Giants 28-14. They held Eli Manning to 250 yards on 45 attempts. He tried his best to beat them through the air, but threw more interceptions than touchdowns. One of which went to Jordan Poyer.
In their win, Jordan Poyer had 2 tackles, 1 interception and defended 1 pass. He’s had an excellent season so far. In 2019, Poyer is credited for 8 solo tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack and has only been targeted once. On top of that, the target didn’t succeed. So, he hasn’t even allowed a reception. It makes sense why his current PFF grade is 84.4. Jordan Poyer is the best Pac-12 NFL player on the Bills.
Harrison Phillips was an excellent interior defender against the New York Giants. He made plays on both Eli Manning and Saquon Barkely. Against Manning, Phillips finally got his first sack. Well, half sack. But still, that’s a big thing for an interior defender who’s job is to make defensive stops.
Against Barkely and the Giants run game, Phillips did what he does best: didn’t allow push and made defensive stops. But, as said above, Phillips also recorded 1 QB hit, 0.5 sacks and 2 passes defended It was quite the game for the big guy up front.
UCLA
Kenny Clark – Green Bay Packers
There was not a bigger mismatch on the field on Sunday than Kenny Clark vs. Garrett Bradbury. pic.twitter.com/8GOkBnRqQp
Man. Kenny Clark had a game. He looked like an All-Pro against the Vikings. Clark consistently created havoc and pressured Kirk Cousins.
If you can get your nose tackle to get pressure like this in the red zone on a 3man rush and hurry a QB’s throw… It can give your defense tremendous flexibility
Keep in mind that Kenny Clark is a nose tackle. A nose tackle that pressured, frustrated and sacked the opposing quarterback. In their win, Clark hit Cousins twice, sacked him once and forced a fumble. He was a large part of their divisional win.
USC
Nelson Agholor – Philadelphia Eagles
On Sunday night, the Philadelphia Eagles lost DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffrey and Dallas Goedert to injuries. Other players had to step up and fill the offensive void. That player was Nelson Agholor. Granted, it wasn’t a perfect night for Agholor.
But, other than the drops, Agholor played well. On 11 targets, he had 8 receptions for 107 yards and 1 touchdown. Of note are his two biggest plays. The first, and his only touchdown of the game, came on fourth and goal. His hands worked there.
When the Eagles needed playmakers, Agholor made himself available.
Utah
Eric Weddle – Los Angeles Rams
This just in. Eric Weddle can still lay a hit. He layed the hit on Jared Cook in their Week 2 matchup, causing Cook to lose the ball and the Rams to intercept it. Keep in mind that this is just one week after Weddle took a knee from Christian McCaffrey and bled all over.
He’s an experienced veteran and is still willing to lay his body on the line. Against the Saints, he played well and helped stifle the non-Brees offense. This season, he has a 79.3 PFF grade, 12 tackles and a pass defended in 2019. If he manages to stay healthy with the hits he’s taking/giving, the Rams have a menace in the secondary.
Washington
Will Dissly – Seattle Seahawks
Will Dissly had himself a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. 5 Targets
Against Pittsburgh, Russell Wilson trusted Dissly to make big plays. It was Dissly’s best game in his short NFL career. Aside from his first two weeks in 2018, Will Dissly has either gone unnoticed or was injured. Perhaps this is his year to connect with Wilson in a sans-Baldwin offense.
Washington State
Joe Dahl – Detroit Lions
For a Detroit Lions team that is constantly rotating their offensive lineman, Joe Dahl is playing well. On 117 snaps at guard, he hasn’t allowed a sack and holds a 71.6 PFF grade. He isn’t dominant yet, but he’s made a significant jump in performance from 2018 to 2019. The Lions need to keep him in more regularly and commit to offensive line continuity.
The Lions second best player yesterday per PFF? Graham Glasgow. The fourth? Joe Dahl. The 15th (!!)? Kenny Wiggins.
Why on earth are we rotating Wiggins in with Glasgow and Dahl again?
The Lions sure seem to be setting themselves up to lose Glasgow next year. I don't get it.
For Cougar fans, Anthony Gordon finally makes this list. And rightfully so. Against New Mexico State and Northern Colorado, it made sense to keep some skepticism. Gordon and the Cougars weren’t truly tested in either of those outings. But, in Week 3, against a competitive Houston football team, Anthony and the Pac-12 football Cougs maintained their excellence.
In three straight weeks, Anthony Gordon passed for at least 420 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is a perfect fit for the Mike Leach Air Raid offense. Gordon already has:
96 completions on 122 attempts
1,324 passing yards
12 touchdowns
2 interceptions
Counting stats are great. But, leading a team, down 7-14 at half, to beat Houston 31-24 shows incredible poise. In the win, he spread the ball around to nine different receivers and completed 75-percent of his passes. Four different receivers caught passes of 30-plus yards. His arm-strength, pocket-awareness and overall quarterback abilities were on full display.
Anthony Gordon simply continued his spectacular play again this week against Houston. pic.twitter.com/JgWzzqF5rH
Other than Eno Benjamin, there is no running back better than Zack Moss in Pac-12 football. Against Idaho State, Moss recorded his 13th 100-yard game, rushing for 106 yards on just 10 carries. With a touchdown, he passed Eddie Johnson for Utah’s No.2 spot in Ute rushing touchdowns. If Moss scores five more rushing touchdowns this season, he breaks Del Rodgers’ Utah career record. For Utah, Moss is a steady contributor of power and big plays.
Consider his first touch of the game. Moss took the handoff, spun away from a tackle and ran for 38 yards. It’s unreal how efficient and effect he’s been thus far. Pac-12 football fans haven’t even seen him unlocked yet because utah keeps running away with games. Moss does more with 10 carries than other backs do with 20.
Best Wide Receiver Performance
Laviska Shenault Jr. – Colorado
To anyone that watched Pac-12 football’s Colorado take on Air Force, one thing was clear: Laviska Shenault Jr. could not be stopped.
After a slow start against Colorado State and Nebraska, Shenault exploded in Week 3. He showed speed, power and reliability. Shenault was dynamic as a receiver and even as a runner.
Here's a look at that game-tying touchdown by @Viska2live
On 11 touches, he amassed nearly 150 yards from scrimmage and 2 touchdowns. He was the difference-maker for Colorado again and again. It’s a pity that Colorado couldn’t extend their win-streak. But, Shenault did show why he belongs with the best playmakers in Pac-12 football.
Through three weeks of college football, Hunter Bryant is PFF’s top-graded tight end. And not just in Pac-12 football programs. In the country! His athleticism and receiving abilities are exceptional. Against Hawaii, Bryant broke free for the opening touchdown. His 47-yard catch and run epitomizes his offensive ability.
With Week 1 of the NFL season officially done, it’s time to examine which Pac-12 alumni stood out. Each week, the Unafraid Show will review the stats, games and plays to determine the best Pac-12 NFL players. Without further adieu, here are the best Pac-12 NFL Players Week 1.
The Best Pac-12 NFL Players Week 1 List, Team by Team
Arizona
Will Parks – Denver Broncos
For Arizona alumni, Will Parks stood out the most. The strong safety played 29 defensive snaps, 17 special teams snaps and recorded 2 tackles. Additionally, he earned a 69.2 PFF grade. While not incredible, he is on a short list of Arizona alumni to make it in the NFL.
No one knows how, but Terrell Suggs still has it. The 36 (soon to be 37) year-old was a big reason for the Cardinals comeback. Even though his Pac-12 days are long behind him, Suggs continues to dominate the NFL. On a defense that has few playmakers, Suggs lifted the team. He recorded 5 tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble. The Ravens all-time sack leader had a great debut for the Arizona Cardinals.
Cal
DeSean Jackson – Philadelphia Eagles
DeSean Jackson was born to play in Philly. Returning to his former team, Jackson torched the opposing defense. On 9 targets, he recorded 8 receptions for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns. He couldn’t be caught. His 19.3 yards per reception may seem impressive, but what’s more impressive is Jackson’s 2 50-plus yard touchdowns. He now has 31 touchdowns of 50-plus yards in his NFL career. The Pac-12, NFL rocket from Cal is too fast to handle.
Again. Carson Wentz to DeSean Jackson for the second time today. First one was a 51 yarder, this one is a 53-yard TD. pic.twitter.com/W9mBkCQYOr
Facing the Buccaneers, Ahkello Witherspoon and the 49ers held Jameis Winston to just 194 yards, including 3 interceptions. Witherspoon was a major part of this defensive shutdown. When targeting players covered by Witherspoon, Winston had a 4.9 passer rating. On those 6 targets, Witherspoon allowed just 2 receptions, while recording 4 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 1 interception for a touchdown. It was a near-perfect game for Witherspoon.
On Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers could not move the ball. New England’s held them to just 3 points and completely stifled Ben Roethlisberger and company. Against Pittsburgh, Patrick Chung racked up 6 tackles, broke-up one pass and earned an 82.1 PFF grade. For those watching, his speed and instincts were the key to his excellence. Chung consistently closed down Pittsburgh players and didn’t allow yards after the catch. He’s been one of the best Pac-12 NFL Players for years and remains such in 2019.
Oregon State
Isaac Seumalo – Philadelphia Eagles
#Eagles converted a couple of QB sneaks & maybe the biggest play of the game was this 4th down conversion.
The big reason for the push? LG Isaac Seumalo. Awesome rep against Da'Ron Payne inside. Wins off the snap with great pad level and runs his feet on contact #FlyEaglesFlypic.twitter.com/UvyDIYj7Zv
At last, Isaac Seumalo claimed his position on the Eagles offensive line. Against the Washington Redskins, he played all 75 offensive snaps. During Week 1, Seumalo allowed zero sacks and was not penalized. He consistently made plays and helped push Philadelphia’s offense into successful positions. It was a strong game for him and he cemented his role on the league’s best and deepest offensive line.
Stanford
Christian McCaffrey – Carolina Panthers
It is impossible to leave Christian McCaffrey off of this list. He lit up the Los Angeles Rams defense:
19 carries for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns
10 receptions for 81 yards
48 yards after the catch
His production accounted for 61-percent of Carolina’s net offense. McCaffrey is a special talent and his versatility is astonishing. It’s why he plays every offensive snap and is difficult to stop. If McCaffrey continues to do this, his name will be retired from this Pac-12 NFL Players list.
UCLA
Eric Kendricks – Minnesota Vikings
What it looks like to Julio Jones when you will not be holding onto a pass after being hit by Eric Kendricks. #vikings @EricKendricks54 pic.twitter.com/azmC583FID
Eric Kendricks and the Minnesota Vikings were a force. They held the Atlanta Falcons to just 12 points. In that game, Kendricks was a regular contributor to their defensive wins. He had 6 solo tackles, 1 quarterback hit and defended 2 passes. Kendricks is a great linebacker and makes name known to the opposing offense.
USC
Rasheem Green – Seattle Seahawks
Somehow, there is a bright star on the Seattle Seahawks defense. After a solid preseason and an excellent Week 1, Rasheem Green should earn consistent reps. Even though he only made one big play in the game, it was the most important play for the Seahawks. His strip-sack of Andy Dalton stopped the Cincinnati Bengals from reaching field goal range. He sealed Seattle’s win.
Please let Josh Gordon stay mentally strong. Lovers of the Pac-12, NFL and the New England Patriots need his talent and raw athleticism. Few players are as naturally gifted as Gordon. He makes difficult catches seem effortless and he bounces off defenders. In 2019, the Patriots needed a Rob Gronkowski replacement. Josh Gordon is that man. His size, power, speed and receiving ability will terrorize defenses. The way he played against the Steelers was definitely worthy of him being one of the top Pac-12 NFL Players Week 1.
Per PFF, Cory Littleton was their highest graded player in Week 1. Littleton made a show for Pac-12, NFL and sports fans alike. He certainly earned that title with his versatility and instincts. Littleton was everywhere and racked up 14 tackle against the Carolina Panthers. Of those, 4 were defensive stops. Additionally, he made big play after big play. Littleton defended 2 passes, forced and recovered a fumble against D.J. Moore and intercepted Cam Newton in the fourth quarter. He played out of his mind.
Cory Littleton is balling out today. First a forced fumble and recovery. Now THIS. #LARvsCAR#LARams
After losing Nick Foles to a broken clavicle, the Jacksonville Jaguars turned to rookie Gardner Minshew. And he didn’t disappoint. Playing three quarters, he completed 22 of 25 passes for 275 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. No, he didn’t lead the Jaguars to a win. Not even Nick Foles could do that against the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs. However, he played exceptionally well and displayed the marks of an NFL quarterback. Hopefully Minshew continues to earn starts and long-term dedication from the Jaguars. He could become a regular addition on this Pac-12 NFL list.
Pac-12 NFL Players Need to Perform Well
As many already know, the Pac-12 lacks praise and respect. Much of this is due to it’s commissioner, Larry Scott. Nonetheless, if the Pac-12 can account for a larger percentage of NFL talent, it will earn that respect. So, even though these players aren’t on collegiate programs anymore, it is important to root for their success.
Week 2 of Pac-12 football is in the books. While there were plenty of great, offensive performances from Pac-12 players, these players stood out the most.
Wow. What a game for the true freshman. In his debut, stepping in for the injured (INSERT INJURED USC QUARTERBACK), he threw for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns. Counting stats alone, Kedon Slovis put up some solid numbers. But, more importantly, he led USC to a win against the No.23 ranked Stanford. Zero turnovers and coming back from a 3-17 Stanford lead. His performance and USC’s win vaulted them into an AP ranking. USC, similar to Sam Darnold, has another bright, young star. Look out Pac-12 football. Kedon Slovis is here.
Starting at their own 4-yard line, Steven Montez and K.D. Nixon teamed up for an incredible highlight. Their 96-yard, flea-flicker touchdown could be Colorado’s highlight of the year. Not only was this an impressive and fun play for any game, it was against the No.25 ranked Nebraska football program. Nixon’s touchdown reception continued Colorado’s comeback win. Down 0-17, they kept fighting and earned a big upset against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. It was big for Colorado and bigger for Pac-12 football.
“We didn’t win today, we won back in summer workouts.”
In a Pac-12 football game with very little offensive production from quarterbacks (or offenses at all), Marcel Dancy was explosive. Down 3-10 to UW, on Cal’s first drive of the second half, Dancy was the difference maker. He rushed for 23 yards on 3rd and 1 to extend the drive and push the Golden Bears into Washington territory. Then, he sealed the drive with a 20-yard touchdown rush, breaking tackles and spinning into the end zone.
HERE’S CAL💡
Marcel Dancy takes one in from 20 yards and the Golden Bears (+430) are tied up with Washington!pic.twitter.com/uFNQKsNYGD
On Cal’s following drive, he had rushes of 7, 11, 2 and 8 yards. His 11 yard rush resulted in a first down, again extending Cal’s offensive drives. Then, yet again, he finished Cal’s drive with a touchdown run, this time from 8 yards out.
So, on just 7 carries, Marcel Dancy rushed for 72 yards and accounted for Cal’s only 2 touchdowns of the game. Of note, 6 of his 7 carries came on Cal’s only 2 touchdown drives. In a tight game where UW couldn’t score touchdowns to save themselves, Dancy was an offensive force. Keep his name in mind in future Pac-12 football weeks. His name will surely pop up again.
Against Nevada, Oregon was red hot, to say the least. Justin Herbert displayed his offensive talent and Oregon had a fantastic bounce-back game. Oregon and the Pac-12 football needed that. During that win, it was Jacob Breeland that stood out the most. Standing at 6-5, 250-pounds, Breeland was Oregon’s best downfield threat. In their first two touchdown drives against Nevada, they utilized him. His 66-yard touchdown and 31-yard reception showed his big-play ability.
At games end, Breeland led the Ducks in receiving yards and tied for first in receptions. For Oregon, this is good news. Analytics found that NFL teams have greater efficiency when passing from heavier formations in 2018. Breeland can give Oregon incredible advantages in Pac-12 football with his size and receiving abilities. For a Ducks offense always looking for explosive playmakers, Breeland’s time is now.
Although he’s a few years removed from his Cinderella story Super Bowl run, Nick Foles is still a good quarterback. Though his play oscillates dramatically at times, he still has a ceiling fit for a championship ring. At the top of his game, he is up there with the elite quarterbacks.
Highest @PFF Grade on tight-window throws (2016-18, including playoffs):
1. Nick Foles 65.8 2. Patrick Mahomes 60.8 3. Baker Mayfield 57.0 4. Aaron Rodgers 56.6 5. Andrew Luck 54.4
With a solid defense around him in Jacksonville, Foles doesn’t have to revert back to his old Rams days. Instead, he can manage the game and come up with big plays when it’s clutch time. Foles has played well in playoffs in recent years. The Jaguars haven’t. That’s why they need Foles and its why he made our best Pac-12 NFL players list.
Arizona State
Lawrence Guy
Lawrence Guy played more snaps on defense than any other Patriots interior d-lineman, and logged the NFL's 8th-highest run-defense grade at the position in 2018 pic.twitter.com/UiWXN0sjQI
Obviously a Super Bowl Ring helps illuminate players like Lawrence Guy. Nonetheless, his 2018 play is deserves a highlight. Guy made 30 defensive stops against the run last season. His run-stopping ability helped hold the Los Angeles Rams to just 62 yards rushing.
But, he’s more than just a run-stopping big man. Guy was one of 11 interior defenders with 30-plus run stops and 20-plus pressures. In fact, he racked up four quarterback hurries in the Super Bowl, disrupting Jared Goff again and again. When an Arizona State player comes up big in the Super Bowl, he lands himself square on the best Pac-12 NFL players list. No, Guy isn’t going to flash and dazzle like Aaron Donald, Von Miller or Fletcher Cox. But, as an interior defender, he’s brilliant and sound. It’s no wonder he posted an elite PFF grade of 91.1.
Cal
Cameron Jordan
Shocking as it may be, Cameron Jordan takes this spot from Aaron Rodgers. While many can argue against this, Jordan is currently performing better. Honestly, Cameron Jordan could be one of the best Pac-12 NFL players of all time when he’s done. First off, Jordan is extremely consistent. In his nine seasons in the NFL, he’s played every game. Get that. 128 straight games. He’s a machine.
Moreover, in those seasons he’s been a steady source of disruption. He’s totaled 409 tackles (98 for a loss), 143 quarterback hits, 71.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and 9 fumble recoveries. In his last three seasons, he’s earned a PFF grade of 90.0-plus. For that reason, PFF ranked him 16th on their 2018 Top 101 and 16th in for their 2019 rankings. Additionally, Cameron Jordan is a top-5 edge in run-defense and pass-rushing ability. His 66 pressures in 2018 show that he continues to be a nightmare for quarterbacks. He’s reliable, well-rounded and elite. Offenses beware.
Other than Aaron Rodgers, the next best player on the Green Bay Packers in David Bakhtiari. Bakhtiari is a staple of consistent, elite, pass protection. And in Green Bay, pass protection is gold.
In three straight seasons, Bakhtiari leads all offensive tackles in PFF’s pass-blocking grade. He’s earned pass-blocking grades of 93.0-plus in 2016, 2017 and 2018. He’s not only one of the best Pac-12 NFL players, he’s one of the best in the whole league. Per PFF, he is their highest-ranked offensive lineman for the 2019 PFF50. In 691 pass-blocking snaps in 2018, Bakhtiari only allowed 25 pressures. Of those, 18 were hurries, 3 were hits and only 4 were sacks. He protects his quarterback.
Oregon
DeForest Buckner
At 6-foot-7, 291lbs with 84th-percentile arm length, DeForest Buckner is a large man. Combing that with a 112.4 (84th-percentile) Burst Score and an 11.98 (77th-percentile) Agility Score, Buckner is a difficult defended to stop. The defensive lineman performed quite well in back to back seasons. In 2018, Buckner totaled was tied for 14th in sacks and 10th in tackles for a loss. Also, Buckner added 53 pressures, 37 defensive stops and even 3 passes defended. Most of all, Buckner did all of this on a 4-12 San Francisco 49ers team. In 2019, he’ll hopefully have more opportunities to win.
2019 should be a big year for Buckner and he can set himself apart from even the best Pac-12 NFL players. While not elite just yet, he’s entering his fourth season and has steadily risen. With Nick Bosa joining the pressure, Buckner has the chance to face easier blocking and schemes for his production. With more favorable opportunities, Buckner should wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks this season.
Oregon State
Brandin Cooks
Each of the last four seasons, on three separate teams, Brandin Cooks topped 1,000 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. He’s a remarkable talent, gifted with raw athleticism. Athletically, Cooks is known best for his blazing 4.33 (99th-percentile) 40-Yard Dash speed and equally impressive 10.57 (99th-percentile) Agility Score. His raw speed and agility made him one of the best Pac-12 NFL players in the 2014 NFL draft. But more than that, Cooks has ball skills. Even in the deep quadrants of the football field, he posted a 87-percent (No. 25) True Catch Rate. Imagine what his catch rate would be closer to the line of scrimmage.
But putting him closer isn’t optimal. Because no matter the opponent, Cooks is a threat to take the top of the defense. Because of this, he’s well-respected by opposing defenses. This allows his teammates to operate with greater success. Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Jared Goff owe a lot to Cooks and his powerful skill-set.
Stanford
Christian McCaffrey
With the NFL evolving into a league that places more and more importance into pass-catching running backs, Christian McCaffrey emerged in 2018. He caught an otherwordly 107 passes for 867 yards, leading all backs in both categories. Additionally, he rushed for 1098 yards and tallied 13 total touchdowns. McCaffrey was electric in 2018.
Beyond the typical counting stats, McCaffrey had 57 Evaded Tackles, an 86.3-percent Catch Rate (No. 2), and only dropped 3 passes. His 2.4-percent Drop Rate was second-best for running backs in 2018. Also, per PFF, his receiving grade of 89.3 ranked first in the NFL of running backs with at least 60 targets. He makes his case to be on the best Pac-12 NFL players of all times list if he keeps this production. All in all, Christian McCaffrey is the most elite pass-catching back in the league and is primed to do so for years to come.
UCLA
Kenny Clark
In year three, Kenny Clark broke out in a big way. He’s currently one of the best defensive interiors in the NFL. Clark earned the No. 43 spot on PFF’s 2018 Top 101 and spot 37 on the 2019 PFF50. As a sophomore and a junior in the NFL, Clark was an excellent rush defender. Clark’s 9.9 run-stop percentage ranked 16th-best in run-stop percentage at the position.
But, Clark’s pass-rushing growth is what made the biggest difference. Clark went from earning pass-rushing grades below 70 in his first two seasons to an amazing 88.8 in 2018. Clark ranked 11th in pass-rush win percentage and ninth in total pressure percentage. His year three proved he can win in all facets of the game and put himself square on our best Pac-12 NFL players list.
USC
JuJu Smith-Schuster
https://youtu.be/btw7zlzkZUs
At just 22 years of age, JuJu Smith-Schuster battled (and arguably won) Antonio Brown for the top spot in the Pittsburg Steelers offense. His 22-year-old season included:
111 Receptions (5th for wide receivers)
1426 Receiving Yards (5th for wide receivers)
587 Yards After the Catch (1st for wide receivers)
7 Touchdowns (13th for wide receivers)
839 Air Yards (10th for wide receivers)
16 Redzone Receptions (2nd for wide receivers)
He’s so young. And abundantly talented. He’s already climbed above even the best Pac-12 NFL players. Smith-Schuster, now operating in an offense sans-Antonio Brown, now has his chance to truly shine as the number one. His elite career is just beginning.
Utah
Eric Weddle
Eric Weddle is entering his 13th year in the league. This veteran safety has been one of the best Pac-12 NFL players for a while. He’s 34-years-old, but that didn’t stop the Los Angeles Rams from signing him to a two-year, $10.5 million contract. Despite his age, Weddle continues to play at a high level.
Joining John Johnson, the Rams duo make for an elite safety tandem. The Rams secondary just got stingier. Though Weddle turned down larger offers from other teams, his eyes are set on the Super Bowl. Signing with the Rams is his best shot at that. Weddle is still a strong contributor and will add value to the Rams. Joining John Johnson, the Rams duo make for an elite safety tandem. The Rams secondary just got stingier.
Washington
Desmond Trufant
Desmond Trufant was the league's 9th-highest-graded cornerback on deep targets in 2018. pic.twitter.com/WYyyOq2eej
Though Desmond Trufant is no Jaylen Ramsey, he’s certainly a good cornerback. Washington Huskies fans certainly remember why he’s one of the best Pac-12 NFL players around. Even with the Atlanta Falcons defense struggling last season, Trufant remained solid. He led his team with 12 passes defended and made a plethora of veteran plays. Moreover, Trufant was exceptional in deep coverage. Among 59 qualifying cornerbacks by PFF, Trufant ranked 9th in deep target coverage. On 12 targets 20-plus yards down the field, he allowed just 2 receptions. Of those 12 targets, he forced an incompletion on 25-percent of them. He made it difficult to go deep against him.
Overall, Trufant remains an above-average cornerback. He is one of three cornerbacks that have “allowed less than a yard per coverage snap for four consecutive seasons.” In his six seasons, he’s had a PFF grade above 70. No, he’s not elite. But he certainly is great.
Washington State
Joe Dahl
Source: The #Lions have agreed to terms on a 2-year extension with G Joe Dahl, who is now under contract thru 2021. A former 5th rounder and key backup interior OL, he is now competing for a starting role.
For the Detroit Lions, Joe Dahl gets his shots with versatility and availability. A converted left-tackle, Dahl played both guard spots, center and even fullback for the Lions. An injury here or there, and Dahl would slide into the five-man O-line. Yes, it’s surprising for a spot-starting lineman to make it on the best Pac-12 NFL players list. But, he’s played well in his starts and has a promising future.
While Dahl hasn’t impressed enough to be a consistent starter yet, this year is his shot.
“I think he’s really transformed his body over the last year,” Lions head coach Matt Patricia said on Thursday. “He just looks bigger and stronger. He moves better.”
Dahl is vying for the starting left guard position for the Lions. With Matt Patricia’s (projected) run-heavy scheme in 2019, Dahl’s guard position is incredibly important. The WSU product needs to build chemistry with the other offensive lineman and cement his place in the starting five.
College football is finally here. The Power Rankings are in and the season has started. But the Pac-12 season is more than just teams and team-wins. There is an individual end game… The NFL Draft.
Each year, a maximum of 256 college athletes can be drafted each year by the NFL. Only 256. Out of every college and thousands upon thousands of draft prospects. Most players make their way onto scouts’ lists early in their collegiate careers. But, for this set of senior, offensive Pac-12 players, they desperately need to make the most of their final season.
The Five Offensive Pac-12 Players Needing it Most
Aaron Fuller – UW – Senior – Wide Receiver
With 58 receptions and 874 yards, Aaron Fuller finally had his breakout season in 2018. He led the Huskies in 2018 and looks to do the same this season. Even though UW lost the Rose Bowl, Fuller stood out with 7 receptions. Furthermore, he’s cemented himself on the Biletnikoff Award watch list.
Nonetheless, Fuller has a lot to prove this season. As many already know, the most talented wide receivers in college leave early for the draft. Of note though, the 2019 NFL draft was different. Deebo Samuel, JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Parris Campbell and Andy Isabella were drafted in the second round. All of them were seniors. So, there is definitely hope for Fuller. And with 874 yards, he certainly has a good base to build off of.
But, he still needs to step up. Fuller has to display explosiveness. At 5-foot-11, 188lbs, he’s not going to turn heads like DK Metcalf. However, he’s the type of receiver the NFL is evolving to enjoy. As a senior, Fuller has to get the counting stats, display good route running and hands for the scouts, ball-out at the Senior Bowl. If he’s having his best year, hopefully he’ll get a chance to push his name into the draft with an NFL Combine invite as well. All in all, Fuller needs to be Washington’s steady and reliable playmaker this year.
Anthony Gordon – WSU – Redshirt Senior – Quarterback
That is all that Anthony Gordon, redshirt senior, has to show for his WSU career. Yet, somehow he earned the nod from Mike Leach. After losing Gardner Minshew, the Pac-12’s leader in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns, Mike Leach turned to the older, yet unknown, Gordon.
This is so rare that I wanted to bring it to the forefront.
Anthony Gordon is a RS-Senior at Washington St. and as a 3-year backup he's attempted 5 career passes. He was named the starter today. Sometimes patience and hard work pay off! Congrats Anthony! https://t.co/ny4GbGZqzT
As a true underdog, Gordon first played in Junior College for the City College of San Francisco. But, he led the CCCAA Conference in passing yards (3,864) and touchdowns (37) as a true freshman. In addition, Gordon led his team to a CCCAA Championship and earned the CCCAA Championship Game MVP. So, he’s at least got that going for him.
Now, after redshirting and sitting on the bench for three seasons at WSU, it’s Gordon’s time to shine. Fortunately for him, he plays for Washington State University. He’s got a team around him and the perfect head coach for quarterbacks. In Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense, quarterbacks are given friendly schemes and can compile big numbers. As a redshirt senior with no NCAA experience, Gordon needs everything he can get. Off all of the offensive Pac-12 players on this list, he’s the biggest underdog right now. In order to make it to the NFL, he needs to brand his name on the NFL scout list with big-time throws and massive numbers.
Snakebitten by injuries, Noah Togiai has to prove that he can stay healthy. After breaking out in 2017 with 34 receptions, 461 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, Togiai caught just 10 passes in 2018. His production took a major dip and injuries were a large part of that.
After tearing his ACL in the Beavers’ second game of 2016. Additionally, he missed the first three games of the 2018 season. Thankfully, Togiai was granted an extra season of eligibility in 2017 because of his ACL tear. He’s lucky. Because of this medical hardship season, Togiai didn’t have to finish his collegiate career on a 10 reception, 77 yard season. However, he needs to prove he is able to withstand the brutality of an NFL-level game. Can he do that? It’s unclear, especially considering he’s battling an ankle injury he sustained in spring camp. But, if he can stay healthy, Togiai could become Oregon State’s third receiver and one of the best offensive Pac-12 players at the tight end position.
Juwan Johnson – Oregon – Redshirt Senior – Wide Receiver
Unfortunately for Oregon, their wide receiving corps hit the injury bug. Brenden Schooler, Mycah Pittman and Juwan Johnson are each dealing with their own. While Schooler and Pittman are likely out for the first few weeks, there is hope that Johnson can suit up for Auburn.
If Johnson is able to suit up, he could quickly become a favorite target for Justin Herbert. Because if the Penn State transfer is one thing, he is a large target. At 6-foot-4, 230lbs, Johnson certainly garners attention. He’s big, powerful and has a frame unlike the other receivers on the team. Johnson also brings experience to the Ducks squad. He played the most games of any Ducks receiver. As a veteran, he is going to be both a role-model for younger receivers and a reliable option for Herbert.
“I’m here to be a leader,” he said. “That’s my job here, come in and bring a leader and bring that energy to the team. I want to bring the guys up so we can win a Pac-12 championship, national championship and those sort of things.”
If he can regain his health, Juwan Johnson can step into the void and separate himself from the rest of Oregon’s playmakers. The path for him to breakout in the list of top, offensive Pac-12 players is there. He’s on a great offense, on a top team, with needs at the position. Get healthy and get out there Johnson.
Cameron Scarlett – Stanford Redshirt Senior – Running Back
No Bryce Love. Washington drafted him in the fourth-round of the 2019 draft. No JJ Arcega-Whiteside. The Philadelphia Eagles picked him up in the second round. No Trenton Irwin. The Miami Dolphins scooped him up as an undrafted free-agent. So, Stanford lost their feature back and two top receivers. Someone needs to step up.
Out of the shadows steps Cameron Scarlett. The fifth-year back has yet to break out. Which makes complete sense. He’s played behind not only Bryce Love, but Christian McCaffrey as well. It’s not easy to usurp Heisman hopeful running backs. But this year, he doesn’t have to. The backfield is his for the taking.
Fortunately for Scarlett, he’s not completely green. In both 2017 and 2018, he displayed versatility in rushing and receiving. Scarlett’s 719 rushing yards and 283 receiving yards in 2017 and 2018 display this. He also notched 8 rushing touchdowns in each, along with 1 receiving touchdown in 2018. Finding the paydirt is obviously a good thing. Moreover, Scarlett displayed exceptional special-teams play. In 2017, his 1,008 kick return yards ranked second nationally and first in the Pac-12.
His feature-back size (6-foot-1, 216lbs), combined with his dual-threat ability and versatility in the return-game, should provide ample opportunity for him in 2019. But, he’s a redshirt-senior without a feature-back year on his resume. Scarlett has to make that happen. In 2019, he needs to capitalize on volume and display his ability to be a bell-cow back.
Recently, Larry Scott said it was “painful” that the Pac-12 once again missed College Football Playoffs. It’s a regular lament because it seems like the Pac-12 is always left out. Every college football fan, athlete or staffer knows that the Pac-12 is the odd one out. Washington and Oregon are the only teams from the Pac-12 to make it. Just 2 out of 24. Not good for the Pac-12.
So, the idea of expanding the college playoffs or bringing more parity to the selection process sounds perfect. First off, College Football Playoffs are a huge success. It was a long time coming and fans of all programs and divisions love it. With a four-team playoff, rather than selecting just two teams, college football moved to greater competition. From that, it was easier to conclude with the rightful champion.
Now, in its sixth year of success playoffs, the FBS needs to evolve further. For the sake of fans, collegiate programs and football itself.
First off, the easiest way to increase the likelihood of crowning the just champion is to increase the sample size. Honestly, the NFL has 32 teams and still lets 12 into the playoffs. On the other hand, the FBS has 130 football programs (64 from Power-Five conferences) and only selects four. From such an abundant source of talent and diversity, the current four-team playoffs is restrictive.
Considering how slow and/or unwilling college football is to change, it’s best to keep an expansion small. Adjusting College Football Playoffs from four teams to six or eight is ideal. With six teams, the first and second-ranked teams are afforded a bye. Essentially, With eight teams, playoffs would be similar to the NCAA basketball tournament seeding. But, drastically smaller.
With each set up, there would be three rounds of College Football Playoffs. This would work best for multiple reasons. First, as said above, expanding to more teams gives college football a clearer, less controversial champion. Additionally, it would add to revenue. As everyone knows, the NCAA loves money (even though it only pays college athletes more than a 550 dollar gift for bowl participation). So, instead of just three playoff games, there would be five to seven. Fundamentally doubling the amount of big-time matches and viewers.
Does Larry Scott support expansion?
Yes. But also no.
“I completely get that it would really release the pressure of being the one that’s been on the outside looking in the most in the first six years to say that automatically we’ve got our champion [in],” Scott said Thursday. “But we also have agreements through 2026 [the championship game] that I think will be very challenging for us to all agree how we’re going to amend and change.”
A Power 5 AD in New York this week said a specific 8-team playoff model is circulating around the CFB world that would incorporate bowls, including a bowl-sponsored national championship game.
However, he’s wrong in his idea. For two major reasons. First and foremost, expanding the playoffs automatically helps the Pac-12. It lowers the risk of a Pac-12 snub. Because the Pac-12 has little leverage in the situation, he can’t ask for more. Additionally, he’s misguided because mandating that each Power-Five conference champion gets in lowers college football parity. What if the overall competition of the ACC or Big Ten was significantly lower than Pac-12, SEC or Big 12? That hurts the playoff picture.
Granted, an eight-team playoff model like Ross Dellenger depicted would be extremely exciting. Five auto-bids, two at-large and one group of five sounds excellent. Nonetheless, greater freedom in selection creates a chance for greater competition.
Larry Scott refuses to give up the Rose Bowl
Also, of note, Larry Scott and the Pac-12 would be protective of the Rose Bowl. Yes, history is on his side. The Rose Bowl and the Pac-12 have over a century of history together. Nonetheless, Scott needs to be willing to change, to adapt and to give in order to gain. Yes, the Rose Bowl means a great deal for Pac-12 fans. It’s a monumental bowl game. With that being said, the audience would grow substantially if the Rose Bowl had greater competition. If the FBS combined the Rose Bowl, college football’s oldest bowl game, with playoffs each year, ratings and excitement would follow.
Yes, Scott and the Pac-12 have every right to be protective of the Rose Bowl. It’s ours. However, in order to increase the chance of a Pac-12 champion, the Pac-12 must be willing to sacrifice it’s most historic safety blanket. Keep in mind, there could also be a happy medium. If a Pac-12 team gets into the playoffs, they could get automatic entry into the Rose Bowl game. And if they missed the six or eight team playoff selection, they would sacrifice the Rose Bowl. It’s a risk, but one the Pac-12 needs to take.
Poll question: Larry Scott said he could be in favor of an 8 team playoff – but the Rose Bowl is "important" to Pac-12 fanbases so they have to protect that asset.
So … What would be more important to you as a Pac-12 fan?
Each Power-Five team has to play at least ten Power-Five opponents
Excluding conference championship games, only Clemson and Oklahoma played nine, regular season, Power-Five opponents. Ohio State chose to play Florida Atlantic, Cincinnati, and the Miami Redhawks. Likewise, LSU scheduled Georgia Southern, Northwestern State, and Utah State. If they played one more Power-Five team, it’s completely possible they would have an additional loss.
In order to make College Football Playoffs, each team selected needs to have at least ten (excluding conference championships) games against Power-Five opponents. If 2018 Notre Dame can do it, any program should be able to.
