WHO’S READY TO TAKE THE REIGNS IN THE PAC-12/

CONFERENCE GOES 5-3 LAST WEEK

OUT OF LEAGUE GAMES CONTINUE THIS WEEKEND

Who’s on top? Sort of like who’s on first, what’s on second. It’s confusion and mayhem in the G-6.

Last weekend finished with a bang as the Pac-12 Conference wrapped up a 5-3 record. The last two games that weren’t decided at publishing time was Oregon State and Fresno State. They both won their games with the Beavers giving a spanking to the FCS Montana Grizzlies 52-17 and the Bulldogs winning the Valley Trophy winning 26-10 against the ever charitable San Jose State Spartans. Oregon State is turning into a very good 1-2 team as they won convincingly. A 366 yard passing effort by quarterback Braden Atkinson and his support staff led to five touchdown strikes. Oregon State has introduced an outstanding receiving crew led by Jesse Legree who has 476 yards on the season, followed by Aeryn Hampton with 172 yards and AJ Newberry with 127 more. Braden Atkinson has thrown for 1,122 yards on the year with 8 scores against only one interception.

Fresno State meanwhile was locked in a tight defensive battle against San Jose State. The Bulldogs outscored the Spartans in the second half 20-7 to pull away. Tight defense and four interceptions AND four field goals by place kicker Manaki Watanbabe helped to pace the Bulldogs. San Jose State Quarterback had a day he would like to return to sender as he had four picks, all on ill advised throws into multiple defensive coverage. Breakout receiver Anthony Ivey, named the Mountain West Player of the Year, had a career game with 7 receptions for 150 yards. Running Back Jabari Bates had another outstanding game with 94 yards, but had a 66 touchdown run on 3rd and 1 returned for an alignment penalty. Mental errors and turnovers will doom most teams. This night was all Fresno State as quarterback Jayden Mandal was 15/29 for 186 yards and a score and playing under composure and some heavy rushes. Josiah Freeman led the receivers with 95 yards and a touchdown.

This Weekend’s Games: Mostly Ho-Hum as we wait for conference play to kick off in earnest next weekend.

Leading off the slate of games this Saturday is San Diego State travelling to Toledo. After a most blase performance against James Madison, the Aztecs need to find their consistent defense and something like any kind of offense. The last several years has mostly been all quiet on the offense front with an occasional splatter of points. Toledo is 2-1. Kickoff is at 9:00 Pacific Time and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The rockets are a 3 point favorite with the over/under 51.5 points. Expect a close game, 28-24 in favor of the Rockets. They have home field and I’m not sure the Aztecs will have time to fix what is broken.

Next up is also another 9:00 kick off as Colorado State travels to Texas and plays UT San Antonio. The Rams are coming off of a 41-23 thumping at the hands of BYU while UTEP was hanging tight in a loss up I-35 against Texas, dropping 30-6. The Rams and Roadrunners are both 2-1, but oddsmakers have UTSA as 13.5 point favorites. I think I’d take the odds on that one, but also think the Rams will succumb to the hot Texas heat and drop a 35-23 game. This game is on ESPNU.

Following that is one of the more intriguing matchups with Boise State taking on Western Michigan in Kalamazoo Michigan. Boise lost a close game to Oregon in week one and the Broncos (of Western) lost (or won) the game against Michigan two weeks ago on the disputed missing time on the clock play. This could be one of the most anticipated home games for Western Michigan as they will want to play on the national stage against their Bronco brethren. With both teams 2-1, there is a lot at stake at a potential College Playoff spot. You can bet people on that committee might be pressed to select Western if they are deserving. Kickoff is 12:30 and will be broadcast on ESPN2. The Boise Broncos are a 7 point favorite with 48.5 over/under. I believe that Boise State has all the talent needed to ride the Group of 6 wave to the top and they should win this one going over the spread. Look for a 38-27 score when the Broncos finish shoring their shoes.

Next up is Texas State, fresh off their first win as a member of the Pac-12 taking on Incarnate Word. The heat has kept fans away from Texas State so far this season. Last week against North Texas only saw 14,000 fans. Let’s hope there is some reprieve as the Bobcats work to legitimize their entrance into the new conference. Incarnate Word is an FCS school out of the Southland Conference, where they will go head to head with Stephen A. Austin for the conference title. There is no line on the game, but TXST is 90% predictable to win. Quarterback Brad Jackson is still working his way through his reps, but has thrown for 610 yards while rushing for 96 more. This will be the game the Bobcats will roll and get key players. Look for running back Torrance Burgess Jr. to have a 100 yard and multiple-score game. A good performance will be just what the Bobcats will need as they will travel to San Diego State for their very first Pac-12 game.

Up next are two foes, both used to be in the Pac-12, now only Washington State resides as they host the University of Arizona Wildcats. Arizona is 2-1 and host an exciting offense behind one of the best quarterbacks in the Big-12 in Noah Fifita. The Cougars have struggled on offense, choosing to establish a running game first behind Running Backs Kirby Vorhees, Maxwell Woods and Quarterback Caden Pinnick. The Cougars have lost to two Power-4 schools before smacking around FCS Duquesne last weekend. Washington State will open conference play next weekend at home again against Fresno State. The Cougars have nothing to lose, but Arizona doesn’t want to have a Group of 6 loss on their record despite both playing in a Power Conference. Arizona is a 10 point favorite and that sounds about right. With a 47.5 point spread, it’s looking like a 30-18 victory the the Wildcats. Shoutout to my Pops, Bill who has been an

Arizona fan since 1980. He is 95 and still going strong. He’s assured me of a Wildcat victory, but the Cougars won’t go down too easily. The kickoff is 4:30 on CBS.

Moving down the docket might be one of the Dogs of Fall. Troy travels to Logan to take on the winless, but certainly trying, Utah State Aggies. Of all the games, this looks to be the closest as the Trojans bring two wins and a close 27-17 loss against #20 Missouri. Utah State, of course, in their Cinderella attempt, nearly took Washington to the woodshed before dropping 16-14. They were welcomed back from fairyland last week with a 33-0 thumping by Utah. The Aggies have been struggling with quarterbacks, juggling between Grady Brosterhous and McCae Hillstead, only generating 571 yards between the two. The hapless running attack is solely in the hands of Brosterhous and Hillstead as a running back is seriously lacking from this roster. The Aggies might be the team people scratch their head and say, “Why them to the Pac-12?” It’s possible it’s for their basketball team. Kickoff is at 4:30 on CBS Sports Network. Utah State is a 3 point favorite, probably all homefield. There is a 48.5 point spread, showing more optimism than me in points scored. I’ll predict a Troy victory 20-13.

The game with Oregon State on the road to new Mountain West Conference Member UTEP might have the most explosive offense on display. UTEP has put up 51 against Texas Southern and was sniffing Michigan at halftime last weekend. Oregon State has put up 20 against Houston, 24 against Texas Tech and 52 last week against Montana. Both teams are 2-1. Both teams like to throw. They are playing in the Sun Bowl which is an amazing stadium, but again, it is in Texas in early fall with heat hanging heavy in this border town. The Beavers are now a 10.5 point favorite and an over/under of 54.5. I look for some offensive fireworks, but the Beavers to waddle their way out of town with a 35-31 victory. The game is on at 6:00 on the MW+ Streaming site.

The last game will feature the Rice Owls travelling to the Fresno State Bulldogs at Valley Children’s Stadium. The Bulldogs are fresh from their non-conference rivalry win against San Jose State to face a run heavy, multiple set Owl team. Quarterback Jacurri Brown has thrown for only 203 yards, and is their leading rusher with 258 yards on 52 carries. Rice is 1-2 with their only victory a 31-3 win over FCS Houston Christian. They made a donation of time and effort, losing 52-0 against Notre Dame, while taking home a nice deposit (as if Rice is struggling with money). Last week they dropped a 28-21 contest to Western Michigan, who this week took on previously noted Boise State. Fresno State will look to continue their resurgence with Quarterback Jayden Mandel and Running Back Bryson Donelson leading the charge. Oddsmakers have picked the Bulldogs to entertain and delight their notoriously raucous crowd, giving them a 13.5 point edge to win. Over/under is 44.5 points, and again, I think Fresno State will want to send their visitors home beaten and bruised. I look to see the Bulldogs come away with a 45-21 win as they get ready for conference play next week at Washington State. Kickoff is at 7:00 Pacific Time on the CW network.

Pac-12 Standings

The Pac-12 will go 4-4 this week with wins from Texas State, Boise State, Oregon State and Fresno State.

Pac-12 Rankings are as follows after week 3. No scientific analysis done, just wins and losses. Whines and Wine. Conference play starts next week. Promise that will be more interesting.

1. Boise State 2-1 overall
2. Colorado State 2-1 overall
3. Fresno State 2-1 overall
4. Oregon State 1-2 overall
5. Washington State 1-2 overall
6. San Diego State 1-2 overall
7. Texas State 1-2 overall
8. Utah State 0-3 overall