PAC-12 Football Power Rankings – Week Ending 10/17
6. Oregon State Beavers (5-2, 2-2)
Last Game: Oregon State 24 – WSU 10
No Chance Nolan, no problem. Without their number one quarterback, the Beavers ran it down Wazzu’s gullet for 203 yards. Seven different players had carries, led by Damien Martinez, and 111 yards on 16 carries.
What OSU didn’t do on offense was made up for by their defense. The Beavers forced 3 turnovers and had 9 tackles for loss, including 6 sacks with 10 passes defended.
Midseason Leaders
- Passing: Chance Nolan – 66 of 111 for 939 yards with 7 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, and 2 sacks.
- Rushing: Deshaun Fenwick – 80 attempts, 454 yards, 4 touchdowns.
- Receiving: Tre’shaun Harrison – 32 receptions, 359 yards, 3 touchdowns.
- Defense: Kitan Oladapo – 44 tackles, 2.5 sacks.
This Week: vs. Colorado, 5 PM – Pac-12 Networks
Oregon State kept themselves in the hunt for a ticket to the championship game. It will be a heck of a task for the Beavers to make it that far.
Even if they don’t reach that goal, OSU is still in line to play in a good bowl game. The engine turned over against Washington State, next week, they hit the accelerator when Colorado shows up at Reser Stadium.
.@BeaverFootball now 5-2!! @Jackcolletto talks about what it means to the team! Also beating @WSUCougarFB 24-10!! #Pac12 #GoBeavs @Learfield pic.twitter.com/ZxSZhKeIPB
— ron callan (@roncallan) October 17, 2022
5. Washington Huskies (5-2, 2-2)
Last Game: Washington 49 – Arizona 39
Washington rebounded nicely last week from two consecutive losses. Well, at least their offense did.
Huskies quarterback Michael Penix had the best game of his college career. The fifth-year junior completed 36 of 44 pass attempts for 516 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also ran one into the endzone.
Rome Odunze had 9 catches for 169 catches and 2 touchdowns, while Jalen McMillan had 6 for 77 yards and 1 touchdown. UW needed those performances because they had problems running all day.
Defense continues to be an issue. The Washington Huskies gave up over 32 or more points for the third straight week. Additionally, Arizona gained 526 yards.
Midseason Leaders
- Passing: Michael Penix – 194 of 288 for 2,560 yards with 20 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, and 3 sacks.
- Rushing: Wayne Taulapapa – 80 attempts, 424 yards, 4 touchdowns. Cameron Davis – 9 rushing TDs.
- Receiving: Rome Odunze – 44 receptions, 693 yards, 6 touchdowns.
- Defense: Alex Cook – 49 tackles. Jeremiah Martin – 5 sacks.
This Week: at California, 7:30 PM – ESPN
The Huskies season that started so promising was derailed after two straight road losses. They got new life last week after beating Arizona and USC’s loss to Utah.
Run the table, and there is a good chance UW makes it to the championship game.
That journey resumes someplace the Huskies haven’t won in 2022, the road. They’ll need to win at California to prove to themselves that they can get a “W” outside of Husky Stadium.
A victory on Pac-12 After Dark on national television could put the Huskies back into the Top 25.
It would be a mistake to overlook California. The Bears suffered an embarrassing loss to Colorado last week. If they beat Washington, it makes their season.
Related Story: 7 takeaways from Huskies 49-39 win over Arizona