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Washington State not getting the respect they deserve
It’s around 11 a.m. on a Sunday in Pullman, Wash. and the Week 8 AP top-25 is released. Cougars fans check their phones and are notified that Washington State (5-2, 4-0) just missed the rankings for a second week in a row. Washington State placed at No. 26 with 84 votes. A non-conference loss to FCS opponent Eastern Washington must really hurt the Cougars if they are not ranked at this point.
Washington State displayed great talent in a 37-32 win that they led for the for the entire second half. Junior quarterback Luke Falk dominated as expected. Despite being sacked seven times, he accumulated 398 passing yards and three touchdowns to three different wide receivers. The Cougars didn’t allow a turnover, and its defense did just enough to get a victory.
They still undefeated in Pac-12 play, and the Cougars have a very winnable next three games. Oregon State (2-5, 1-3) away, Arizona (2-5, 0-4) at home and then California (4-3, 2-2) at home. Washington State should be ranked after a likely win over Oregon State next weekend, and could find itself 8-2 before playing at Colorado (6-2, 4-1) on Nov. 19.
When will Washington lose a game?
The pot is boiling for Washington (7-0, 4-0). Now that they are undefeated eight weeks into its season, each team on its schedule will play them like it’s the Rose Bowl. A win over the Huskies would give any team national recognition. In a conference as crazy as the Pac-12, one team still stands undefeated. The last Pac-12 team go a regular season undefeated was Oregon in 2010. The last Pac-12 team to go undefeated and win the national championship was USC in 2003.
The Huskies have an incredibly well-balanced offense with a passing attack that could be as dominant as Washington State’s, and a running attack that averages nearly six yards per play. Sophomore Jake Browning has upped his quarterback rating by nearly 30 points from last season to 90.2 and hasn’t thrown an interception since week five against Arizona.
Washington plays at No. 17 Utah, at California and then at home against USC. Both Utah and California teams have yet to lose a home game and will serve Washington its most difficult task of the season. If the Huskies can muscle through its two game road trip still undefeated, they will have all the momentum against USC (4-3, 3-2) at home on Nov. 12.
Utah barely gets a win for a second week in a row
The Utes lost to California on the road, had a scare from Oregon State in their 19-14 win and beat UCLA by just a touchdown on Saturday 52-45. It is no question that Utah has had trouble on the road this season. Even without sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen, UCLA still gave Utah a contest.
Junior Troy Williams had another mediocre performance completing 50 percent of his passes for 179 yards going without a touchdown and one interception. Luckily for the Utes, senior running back Joe Williams had the game of his life. He scored four touchdowns and ran for a school record of 332 yards. The senior had recently retired from football and has made his return obvious totaling five TD’s with 511 yards in his first two games back.
Joe Williams should help the Utes to more victories this season, but No. 4 Washington awaits Utah next week at home. The Utes have a chance to make a statement in a game that ESPN gives the Huskies a 79.2 percent at winning.
Three teams ranked from the Pac-12
No. 4 Washington, No. 17 Utah and No. 23 Colorado all stand in the week 8 AP top 25. Washington State (26) received 84 received votes and USC (31) received five votes.
No. 4 Washington – The Huskies have kept their composure this season blowing out nearly every opponent on their sub-par schedule. Washington will be truly tested in its two-game road trip at Utah and at California.
No. 17 Utah – Barely beating their last two opponents by an average of six points, the Utes finally return home to where they have been dominant all season. Utah can possibly jump into the top 15 with a win next week against Washington and prove itself as an elite football team.
No. 23 Colorado – Still tied with Utah for first in the Pac-12 South, the Buffaloes have a great chance at a possible Pac-12 Championship game this season. They play three of their final four games at home with their only road game at last place (2-5, 0-4) Arizona.
Here are the full Pac-12 standings.