Oregon’s loss to Arizona State was a stunner The Sun Devils had lost consecutive games to Utah, UCLA, USC and Oregon State entering Saturday. Their last lead came in a 38-34 win against Washington State on Oct. 12. They trailed Oregon in the first quarter Saturday, tied it up a few minutes later, took a lead in the second quarter and held it the rest of the way.
It may be a reminder of just how big the gap is between Pac12 play and that of the Big Ten and the SEC.
That said, who is the happiest at the Duck disaster?
Nick Saban? Sure. One less team for the Tide to fret about.
How about No. 9 Oklahoma escaping with a scary 28-24 win over TCU ?Can the Sooners go 12-1 with no more home games?
But.
Now Oklahoma/Baylor are almost sure to meet for the Big 12 each at 11-1 with the winner able to strut its stuff.
As for the PAC 12.
Maybe Utah is actually better than Oregon. Certainly it is with the Duck loss. Utah may emerge as the more dangerous team having given up seven points or less in five of their last six games. And the Utes have the No. 4 ranked scoring defense is smashing foes, including the Arizona State offense (in a 21-3 win) that just lit up the Ducks. Any criticisms of their schedule are more than offset by their dominating wins.
Without chaos the resume comparisons of Utah, Oklahoma, and Alabama will dominate.
And nothing that happened Saturday makes Alabama’s profile any stronger.
The Tide has to trounce Auburn to stay in the conversation.
There’s a big cry to elevate Ohio State Defensive End Chase Young to Heisman status. Certainly he is a great defensive player. Ask Penn State or any other Buckeye opponent.
But.
Two other Buckeyes also would be getting votes. JK Dobbins and Justin Fields.
I don’t see how Joe Burrow can lose.
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