Pac-12 Week 7: Upsets create standings shakeup


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WEST COAST FOOTBALL FIELDS — Week 7 left us with a standings shakeup.

Washington and Washington State came into the weekend as the Pac-12’s only undefeated teams. Both head home with heartbreak as they got annihilated by their opponents on the road.

Stanford now stands atop the North standings. In the South, USC stays above division rivals while Utah dropped to fourth place behind Arizona and Arizona State.

Here’s a look at what happened in Week 7.

Colorado (4-3, 1-3 Pac-12) at Oregon State (1-6, 0-4)

Score: Colorado 36, Oregon State 33

Game recap: Oregon State had the edge most of the game. It wasn’t until the third quarter that Colorado took the lead. The Beavers regained the lead two more times before the Buffs pulled off a 9-play, 82-yard drive that ultimately clinched the win. Oregon State had one last hurrah before time ran out. The Beavers drove into Buffs’ territory, but their 52-yard field goal fell short.

Key stat: Oregon State put points on the board on every drive in the first half. Its first punt didn’t come until the third quarter.

Conference implication: The Buffs ended their three-game losing streak and got their first conference win of the season. While they played against a struggling Beavers team that nearly won, this victory is good for the team’s morale.

This was the first game for the Beavers since head coach Gary Andersen’s unexpected departure on Monday. Things looked better this weekend with cornerbacks coach Cory Hall as the interim head coach. The Beavers were oh-so close to snagging a win. Although they lost, things seem to be heading in the right direction.

Next opponent: Colorado travels to Washington State on Saturday. Oregon State hosts Stanford next Thursday.

> Another Touchdown for Bryce Bobo!! [\#CUvsOSU](https://twitter.com/hashtag/CUvsOSU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) [pic.twitter.com/LBWl5VJfKR](https://t.co/LBWl5VJfKR) > > — Colorado Football (@RunRalphieRun) [October 14, 2017](https://twitter.com/RunRalphieRun/status/919339766671220738?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)

Oregon (4-3, 1-3) at Stanford (5-2, 4-1)

Score: Stanford 49, Oregon 7

Game recap: Running back Bryce Love led Stanford to a quick score, knocking in a 5-yard run less than three minutes into the game. Two minutes later, he scored again from 67 yards and was already at the 100-yard rushing mark. The Ducks’ only score came in the middle of the first quarter. As Oregon struggled to get the passing game going, Stanford continued to pile on the points and win.

Key stat: Love has reached 100 rushing yards in nine consecutive games.

Conference implication: October is treating Stanford well, and it’s now first in the North. Something drastic will have to happen for the Cardinal not to win its next game.

Oregon’s offense took a hit when starting quarterback Justin Herbert broke his collarbone two weeks ago. The Ducks have managed to score just 17 points in the past two games. Their seven points versus Stanford is their lowest-scoring game since getting shut out by UCLA 10 years ago.

Next opponent: Stanford travels to Oregon State next Thursday. Oregon travels to UCLA on Saturday.

> [\#HeismanLove](https://twitter.com/hashtag/HeismanLove?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) is no joke. [@Blovee\_20](https://twitter.com/Blovee_20?ref_src=twsrc^tfw) has a 50+ yard rush in nine straight games. > 📺: [@FS1](https://twitter.com/FS1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)[\#GoStanford](https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoStanford?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) [pic.twitter.com/6qtSHCVWeX](https://t.co/6qtSHCVWeX) > > — Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) [October 15, 2017](https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status/919404496190504960?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)

UCLA (3-3, 1-2) at Arizona (4-2, 2-1)

Score: Arizona 47, UCLA 30

Game recap: With a 30-14 halftime lead, Arizona relied on quarterback Khalil Tate to continue his impressive play and get the team its second-straight conference win. Tate didn’t disappoint as he ran for a 71-yard touchdown in the third quarter to push the Wildcats ahead by 18 points. UCLA tried to make a comeback with a late third quarter touchdown but couldn’t keep Arizona from extending its lead.

Key stat: In addition to throwing for 148 yards and a touchdown, Tate rushed for 230 yards and two scores.

Conference implication: The Wildcats are in the hunt for the South. Tate brings athleticism and speed to the team. Until an opponent can stop the run, Arizona will continue to run the ball. The Wildcats have some tough games ahead, including Cal, USC and Washington State.

UCLA’s dreams of a division title are likely over. The Bruins are at the bottom of the league in rushing defense, something they’ll need to fix before playing teams like Oregon and Utah.

Next opponent: Arizona travels to Cal next Saturday. UCLA hosts Oregon on Saturday.

> .[@ArizonaFBall](https://twitter.com/ArizonaFBall?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)'s Khalil Tate's BEAUTIFUL 71yd rushing TD scores the [@OpusBank](https://twitter.com/OpusBank?ref_src=twsrc^tfw) [\#12Best](https://twitter.com/hashtag/12Best?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) Moment! [pic.twitter.com/Bc1naBfD6I](https://t.co/Bc1naBfD6I) > > — Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) [October 15, 2017](https://twitter.com/Pac12Network/status/919421581264175104?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)

Utah (4-2, 1-2) at USC (6-1, 4-1)

Score: USC 28, Utah 27

Game recap: Utah capitalized on three USC fumbles to assemble a 21-7 lead at halftime. Quarterback Sam Darnold led the Trojans to score 21 unanswered points to get their first lead, 28-21. The Utes got the ball back with just under 5 minutes left in the game. Quarterback Troy Williams kept the Utes moving downfield, finding Siale Fakailoatonga on fourth-and-1 to put them on the 2-yard line. Williams rushed in for the score but was a yard short on Utah’s gutsy 2-point conversion attempt, losing the game.

Key stat: Utah was 0 for 3 on third downs that were 3 yards or fewer.

Conference implication: USC didn’t look good in the first half but woke up after halftime to put together a win. This win was important as it might sway who will have an edge of winning the South at the end of the year. The Trojans are building an advantage in conference wins.

The Utes are in desperate need to get starting quarterback Tyler Huntley back in the lineup. While Williams led the team to nine wins last season, the senior is having a difficult time finding open wide receivers in the two games he’s started on behalf of Huntley. Had he seen wide-open Darren Carrington II in the back of the end zone on the 2-point conversion, Utah fans would have a better taste in their mouths.

Next opponent: USC travels to Notre Dame on Saturday. Utah hosts Arizona State on Saturday.

> Flipping out over [@ronaldjones25](https://twitter.com/ronaldjones25?ref_src=twsrc^tfw) game-winning touchdown and the [@OpusBank](https://twitter.com/OpusBank?ref_src=twsrc^tfw) [\#12Best](https://twitter.com/hashtag/12Best?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) Moment! [\#Pac12FB](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pac12FB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) [pic.twitter.com/OQUmG7xL6a](https://t.co/OQUmG7xL6a) > > — Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) [October 15, 2017](https://twitter.com/Pac12Network/status/919412103819100161?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)

Washington (6-1, 3-1) at Arizona State (3-3, 2-1)

Score: Arizona State 13, Washington 7

Game recap: Arizona State scored a touchdown on its first possession and added two field goals as the defense denied Washington a score before halftime. The Huskies' receivers were blanketed throughout the game, putting Washington quarterback Jake Browning under pressure all night. With a shutout in sight, the Huskies managed to get points on the board with five minutes left in the game.

Key stat: Browning was sacked five times. He’d only been sacked six times in the first six games.

Conference implication: This was a huge win for the Sun Devils as it was the highest-ranked team they’ve beaten since defeating then-first-ranked Nebraska in 1996. Arizona State is in the mix for the South and needs to continue its dominant performance.

It was the Huskies’ seventh-straight loss at Arizona State. Washington sits at the second spot with three conference wins behind Stanford, which has four.

Next opponent: Arizona State travels to Utah on Saturday. Washington enters its bye week.

> Sacks galore last night helped fuel the Sun Devil's upset victory. [\#UWvsASU](https://twitter.com/hashtag/UWvsASU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) [\#ForksUp](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForksUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) [pic.twitter.com/EXfYHMGcTs](https://t.co/EXfYHMGcTs) > > — Sun Devil Football (@FootballASU) [October 15, 2017](https://twitter.com/FootballASU/status/919578644468477953?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)

Washington State (6-1, 3-1) at California (4-3, 1-3)

Score: California 37, Washington State 3

Game recap: Cal’s defense came to play against one of the nation’s best teams. On Washington State’s first drive of the game, the Bears snatched an interception that set up a 26-yard field goal. After a 17-3 halftime lead, Cal came into the third quarter to intercept Washington State quarterback Luke Falk two more times. The Bears continued to capitalize on the Cougars’ mistakes and denied them a trip to the end zone to seal the win.

Key stat: The Bears sacked Falk nine times, forced seven turnovers and held the Cougars to a season-low 328 total offensive yards.

Conference implication: Cal’s upset is the team’s first win against a top-10 team since its triple-overtime win versus USC in 2003 and second over a top-10 opponent since 1978. While the defense was the star of the show, quarterback Ross Bowers added his own highlight, which his mother, a former Washington gymnastics coach, was proud of — flipping over a Washington State defender into the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown run. This type of performance is exactly what head coach Justin Wilcox was hired to do. The Bears need to continue this type of play to make a push in the North.

Washington State was on a quest to continue its best start, but on its second road game of the season the Cougars couldn’t get it done. Falk entered the game with two interceptions in 262 passes. He threw five against the Bears, including one on his first pass, one in the end zone, and another in the red zone. Falk struggled against Cal as the division opponent knocked him around. Now the Cougars sit in second place in the North behind Stanford.

Next opponent: Cal hosts Arizona on Saturday. Washington State hosts Colorado on Saturday.

> Ross Bowers with this jaw-dropping touchdown 👀 [\#SCtop10](https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCtop10?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) [pic.twitter.com/KMa17sJ1k8](https://t.co/KMa17sJ1k8) > > — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) [October 14, 2017](https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/919076176445964288?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)

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