By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
Tne week can change everything.
Utah’s win over Houston and BYU’s loss to UCF flip the picture, once again. Now, there are only two undefeated teams out West. The Utes and UCLA.
At the same time, Oregon, USC, and Washington have all fallen to roughly the same spot. The three programs are the definition of “mid” this season.
The struggles from the region’s Big Ten teams open the door to the Big 12 and the Group of 6 programs. New Mexico keeps rising, Oregon State remains in the picture, Arizona is on the verge of breaking through, and Boise State remains a Playoff favorite.
Here’s my Power Ranking for the Top Teams in the West heading into Week 9.
1. Utah (4-0, 7-0) ▲2
Utah’s win over Houston makes the Utes a favorite for an at-large Playoff bid.
The victory answered lingering questions after several weeks of treading water.
Devon Dampier is now 17-2 as a starter at Utah, and the Utes hold the longest active FBS win streak with 13 straight wins.
Morgan Scalley has exceeded outside expectations in his inaugural season.
2. UCLA (4-0, 7-0) ◄►
No quarterback, no problem. The Bruins keep winning even without Nico Iamaleava. Backup QB Ty Dieffenbach runs Bob Chesney’s system competently.
But there’s a problem: UCLA’s clout on a national level. Nobody truly respects the program nationally.
With zero recent success and no brand recognition, the Bruins are starting to bump up against an artificial ceiling.
Don’t shoot the messenger.
3. BYU (3-1, 6-1) ▼2
The loss to UCF burned credibility and tightened the Playoff race.
The defeat was the worst-case scenario for the Big 12.
The SEC has a powerful propaganda machine through its puppet ESPN. The network will use its considerable influence to discredit BYU’s resume.
Now, the Cougars are even more tied to the success of Notre Dame. If the Irish lose more games, the win in Provo becomes less respectable.
4. Boise State (3-0, 6-1) ▲1
From the big-picture standpoint, last week provided a major boost to Boise State’s Playoff chances.
The Sun Belt’s James Madison lost their first game of the year, leaving the American’s UTSA and the Mountain West’s New Mexico as the primary remaining challengers.
As for regional perspectives, the result in Pullman is directly comparable to Arizona.
The Broncos beat the Cougars 31-10, after the Wildcats won 34-24 earlier in the year. Boise State remains on track for the Playoff.
5. Arizona (3-1, 6-1) ▲1
Brent Brennan and the Wildcats embarrassed Iowa State.
The Cats completed a 71-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the game, then successfully went for two as part of a 39-3 Homecoming rout.
The 6-1 start is UA’s best since 2014. Each win has built up respect.
Arizona’s Playoff chances will rise significantly if it beats Texas Tech on the road this week.
6. New Mexico (3-0, 6-1) ▲3
New Mexico’s victory over North Dakota State puts the program in position to win the Mountain West.
It’s still a game-by-game approach, but the remainder of the schedule is favorable.
As the lone Playoff contender in the MWC, the path is simple: win out and let the cards fall.
If the Lobos finish the regular season 11-1 and then win the Conference’s Championship Game, they might make the Playoff.
7. Oregon State (3-0, 5-2) ▲1
The Beavers had a bye week highlighted by star wide receiver Jesse Legree’s commitment to return to OSU next season.
Oregon State has the No. 1 passing offense in the country, with Legree leading the nation in receiving yards.
But the Beavs have lost to the only good teams they’ve played. And with Texas Tech and Houston both losing last week, the resume is even worse.
The eye test, statistics, and margins of victory are carrying the program right now.
8. USC (3-2, 6-2) ▼4
The jury’s decision is in, and it’s not good for Lincoln Riley. USC football is functionally dead.
It’s going to take someone other than Riley to revive it.
The matchup with Wisconsin was supposed to be one of USC’s easiest games of the final stretch.
The Trojans still have to play Ohio State, Indiana, and UCLA. There’s a realistic possibility that SC finishes the year 7-5.
9. Oregon (2-2, 4-3) ▼2
Playoff hopes: gone. National respect: gone. Regional respect: gone. What’s left? A dysfunctional program at risk of a reset.
Entering the year, Oregon was getting national recognition as a favorite to win the National Championship.
Now, it’s a laughingstock. All those resources wasted on a 4-3 team that can’t even beat Illinois on the road.
How the mighty have fallen.
10. Washington (1-3, 4-3) ◄►
If Jedd Fisch starts Demond Williams Jr. this week, he should be fired after the game.
The only reason UW is relevant again is because of Elijah Brown. The situation is similar to when Noah Fifita took over for Jayden de Laura when Fisch was at Arizona.
Brown could lead Washington to a string of victories. The team believes they can win with Brown under center.
Only an incompetent bonehead would start Williams against Nebraska.
More on the ACC
Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.
