Saturday's loss to Oregon State in Corvallis goes down as the most disappointing defeat of the Sarkisian era. Some are even pointing out that this could be the start of an Arizona like swoon that could extend as long as a season and a half. That would be terrible news and it is also the type of negative thinking that prevails during times like these.
There is no way to sugar coat Saturday's loss to Oregon State. It was a terrible performance by both the players and the coaching staff. It was a perfect storm of misfortune that raises a lot of questions as to where this program is headed at the moment.
The next moment so to speak is against the Washington State Cougars in Century Link Stadium on Saturday. The Cougars and their fans have been taking aim at the Huskies for weeks. For the Cougs this is their bowl game and nothing is sweeter to a Cougar than beating a Husky in Seattle.
Cougar head man Paul Wulff has taken a lot of crap during his tenure in Pullman but I have seen plenty of improvement over the past two seasons. Some say he needs to win on Saturday to keep his job but if I was Bill Moos I would be seriously leaning towards keeping him at this point.
Getting back to the game itself the victor on Saturday is going to be the team that wants it the most. After watching both teams play over the weekend I have to give that edge to Washington State. The Huskies are playing flat and disinterested and they need to snap out of that if they have any chance of beating the Cougars.
Apple Seeds
Keith Price should be healthy enough to start on Saturday against Washington State. Expect Husky head man Steve Sarkisian to pick up quite a bit of flack for not inserting Pride into the game sooner last Saturday.
OG Colin Tanigawa suffered an apparent ACL injury in the second quarter against the Beavers. The timing of that injury is significant because the UW running game slowed down at that point.
Cougar QB Connor Halliday is in the hospital with a lacerated liver suffered in Saturday's game against Utah. The Lobster will step into the starting job on Saturday.
Pac 12 Power Ratings
1. Oregon...The Ducks fall for the second time this season and with that loss fall out of the BCS equation.
1. Stanford...The "Big Game" was a lot closer than anyone realized it would be. The Cards escape with a three point win over Cal.
1. Southern California...The Trojans held on while the Ducks mounted a furious fourth quarter comeback.
4. Utah...The scrappy Utes move to 7-4 and a probable date in either San Diego or San Antonio.
5. California...Tough last second loss for Call in the Big Game. It makes you wonder why they didn't play with that intensity all season.
6. UCLA...The Bruins are bowl eligible and Rick grabbed the microphone at the end of the game as he continues to lobby to save his job. Rumor says that only a win over USC next week will save it.
7. Washington...The Huskies tumble after a humiliating loss to Oregon State. Up next is a WSU squad that is playing a lot better than the Beavers at this point of the season.
8. Arizona State...It looks like the Dennis Erickson era is over in Tempe after a loss to hapless Arizona.
9. Washington State...The Cougs fall out of bowl contention after a close loss to Utah. Up next is the 2011 Apple Cup.
10. Arizona...The Wildcats knock ASU out of the conference championship game whih creates a possible dream scenario of an inaugural Oregon vs UCLA championship game.
11. Oregon State...The Beavers made believers out of the Huskies on Saturday. Would be fun to watch these guys knock off Oregon is the Civil War but that isn't going to happen.
12. Colorado...UCLA pounded the Buffs into submission.