By Nick Bartlett, SuperWest Sports
The Pac-12 is off to a pretty rough start this year: Going 0-11 against Power Four opponents sends the wrong message for a league looking to make its mark.
It may take longer than expected to reach true power-conference status, but this week offers some final opportunities.
The most important thing the conference needs is for Boise State to blow out Western Michigan. The Broncos need to prove that last week was a fluke.
In the middle of the league San Diego State, Oregon State, and Fresno State all need to get wins.
The biggest dub, however, would be a Washington State victory over Arizona, it could project as a statement going forward to end the non-conference slate.
The season started differently than expected, but it is what it is. The story is still being written.
San Diego State at Toledo
Saturday, September 26
9:00 AM PT, CBS Sports
Something needs to change in San Diego. The Aztecs embarrassed themselves last week.
It’s one thing to lose to a pretty good UCLA team; it’s another to suffer a loss at home against James Madison, which was treading lightly.
Sean Lewis needs to figure things out immediately, or else a team from where he earned his credibility is going to end his credibility.
The key to this contest is for San Diego State to get better play out of its quarterback.
Jayden Denegal isn’t quite figuring things out, and he has talent around him. Denegal completed 55 percent of his passes for 209 yards and two interceptions in the loss against the Dukes.
Even though Toledo has a new Head Coach in Mike Jacobs, this is a program that hasn’t had a losing season since 2009. If they sense weakness, SDSU is in trouble.
This offense has combined for 23 points in two games against Power Four opponents. If the Aztecs intend to change signal-callers or schemes, the time is now.
Javion Kinnard shined with Lucky Sutton out, who proved to be a dual-threat running back against JMU.
But John Alan Richter is off to a hot start for the Rockets; he’s thrown for 877 yards, nine touchdowns, and one interception.
Lewis needs to get his team moving—FAST.
Boise State at Western Michigan
Saturday, September 26
12:30 PM PT, ESPN2
Boise State got a little cocky last week, but they got the win.
This matchup feels unfair in a lot of ways. Western Michigan deserved to get the dub against Michigan, but the Broncos are also gonna be pissed off heading into this matchup.
At the very least, BSU will take the Broncos seriously. It’s Bronco Buster time.
WMU boasts a solid defense, ranking 33rd nationally in points allowed per game.
Last year, Western Michigan ranked ninth in this same statistic. The main difference between the two teams, however, should prove to be Boise State’s rushing attack.
BSU’s firepower in the backfield is Power-Four level. Sire Gaines and Dylan Riley have combined for 688 yards and four touchdowns as rushers.
Riley is the better runner, but Gaines has added a dual-threat option out of the backfield.
The crowd should also be juiced for this contest, but this is where the experience of Maddux Madsen is clutch. Madsen has played in bigger games than this, but results are expected here.
Western Michigan’s defense may be able to stymie Boise for a bit, but it feels unlikely it’ll happen for sixty minutes. WMU woke up the big dawgs when they beat the Wolverines, and big dawgs gotta eat.
Arizona at Washington State
Saturday, September 26
4:30 PM PT, CBS
In a lot of ways, this feels like the Pac-12’s last chance to earn some P4 respect this season.
If Washington State gets blown out by Arizona at home, they will have gotten beaten by a mid-tier team from their old conference.
The Cougars’ defense feels like they should be able to hang in this matchup, but going against a Noah Fifita-led Arizona squad means the offense will need to do things.
The Wildcats found their rhythm against Northern Illinois, scoring 42, and Fifita threw for 325 yards, four touchdowns, and finished with a 91.2 percent completion rate.
He also set the U of A all-time passing yards record in the contest.
WSU played well against Duquesne, but looked pretty bad against Kansas State. The offense cannot play at that level if they expect to compete in this game.
The Cougs’ biggest problem is figuring out who will replace Tony Freeman. He would’ve been Washington State’s best skill player on offense, but he’s out for the year.
Maxwell Woods looked like he could be the guy, but he’s still unproven against better competition. Branden Ganashamoorthy also made nice snags about the Dukes.
The Pac-12 is 0-11 against Power Four teams, but there’s one more chance.
Oregon State at UTEP
Saturday, September 26
6:00 PM PT, MW+
Oregon State feels like the surprise team that the Pac-12 needs. The Beavers looked nice the first three weeks of the season. The blowout of Montana is also more impressive than it seems.
But if they lose to UTEP, their credibility would take a hit. This feels like a game OSU would have lost in past seasons.
This Beaver team should be different this time, though; they’re battle-tested against two top-25 teams that have both looked the part.
The Miners could be one of the worst teams in the country, but it’s difficult to know where they really stand at this point in the season; they’ve played either elite or subpar competition.
UTEP’s schedule has actually been tougher than Oregon State’s, having already played Oklahoma and Michigan.
The Miners’ best offensive player is probably quarterback EJ Colson Jr., who is playing solid in the early season. He has thrown for 377 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception.
Another important player is safety Xavier Smith, who leads the team with 21 total tackles. Even though UTEP has struggled defensively this season, they’ve forced four fumbles, so the Beavs need to protect the ball.
Oregon State needs to be ready for UTEP, which would love to notch a win over a Pac-12 team for the Mountain West.
Writes about football and basketball as a Senior Writer and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Show” for SuperWest Sports.
