It’s only two weeks into the 2021 college football season but it’s pretty clear what’s going on – this is Chip Kelly’s world and we are all just living in it.
The Pac-12 had a decent showing through Week 1, going 7-6 overall as a conference. It wasn’t perfect but at least it wasn’t the AAC’s 4-7. Let us hit you with the highlights.
Who Are The Contenders?
In the South, it’s going to be tough to say. Utah is always a force to be reckoned with and head coach Kyle Whittingham is in his 17th -year at the helm. The Utes talent and roster depth could put them in the driver’s seat in the South. But UCLA’s 2-0 start with the big win over LSU gives them some momentum as the Bruins head into a tough three-game stretch against Fresno State, at Stanford, and against fellow Pac-12 Souther Arizona State. The Sun Devils scored more points than any other Pac-12 team in Week 1, but their performance was less than perfect, marred by the 13 penalties for a loss of 135 yards. And of course, the USC Trojans will continue to be a national favorite.
The answer as to who rules the South will come down to that October 9th showdown of USC at Utah.
As for the North, the perennial Pac-12 powerhouse for the last few years, it’s hard to imagine anyone but Oregon winning. Stanford turned in a dismal, uninspired performance against Kansas State and Washington was only able to throw three completions of 15-yards or more against Montana. Cal lost to Nevada, Washington State fell to Utah State and Oregon State lost to Purdue. Before the season, Washington was a favorite to win the whole conference, Stanford was expected to get back to its winning ways, heck even Cal was being given a shot to contend for the North after so much progress under head coach Justin Wilcox. Now it looks like the Ducks will fly south to Las Vegas for the winter.
Any Sneaky Good Teams?
Nobody really sneaks around in the Conference of Champions. Pac-12 teams are about as overt as a Lane Kiffin tweet.
Maybe Arizona State because Herm Edwards has sneaky down to a science. The Sun Devils have to play UCLA on the road, get Stanford at home and then have to find a way to win in Salt Lake City. Or maybe it’s Colorado who becomes an unlikely dark horse – the Buffs boast a tough non-conference schedule but they do get three home games to start, even if one is against Texas A&M. In the Buffs 35-7 win over Northern Colorado in Week 1, Colorado’s defense held UNC to just 20 yards rushing, forced the Bears to punt on their first five possessions and sacked QB Dylan McCaffrey three times.
Best Moment Of The Weekend In Pac-12 Football?
One serious moment: The Utah Utes honored former running back Ty Jordan, who passed away tragically last December during the break between the first and second quarter with a sign at Portal 22 at Rice-Eccles Stadium. His family members who were in attendance were recognized during the quick ceremony. At the end of the third quarter break, Jordan was remembered with a video tribute featuring highlights from last season, narrated by head coach Kyle Whittingham, who asked the crowd for a “moment of loudness” to cheer for Jordan since fans were unable to last season due to the pandemic. The first offensive play for the Utes in the fourth quarter was a catch by Solomon Enis for exactly 22 yards – Jordan’s former uniform number.
One sassy moment: LSU head coach Ed Orgeron was caught trash-talking a UCLA fan this weekend as he walked into the tunnel at the Rose Bowl.
“Bring your ass on, in your sissy blue shirt,” Orgeron shouted at the fan.
The Bruins did inf act bring their asses on, defeating the Tigers 38-27 Saturday night. This prompted a revenge video from UCLA featuring the Bruins dancing to “Get the Gat” in the locker room after the victory.
Geaux Bruins. pic.twitter.com/xDZNpNN0Dc
— UCLA Football Recruiting (@UCLAFBRecruit) September 5, 2021
Points On The Board Week 1 In The Pac-12
Hawaii – 10
UCLA – 44
Weber State – 17
Utah – 40
Southern Utah – 14
Arizona State – 41
Northern Colorad0 – 7
Colorado – 35
Fresno State – 24
Oregon – 31
San Jose State – 7
USC – 30
LSU – 27
UCLA – 38
Montana – 13
Washington – 7
Stanford – 7
Kansas State – 24
Oregon State – 21
Purdue – 30
Nevada – 22
California – 17
BYU – 24
Arizona – 16
Utah State – 26
Washington State – 23
Written by Emily Van Buskirk
