:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2258329/20121020_mjr_su5_036.0.jpg)
Washington Opponent's Record: 56-41
Record this Week: 6-5
Record in Games that Mattered: 2-1
San Diego State continues to make a killer run in the Mountain West, LSU had a bye, and now there is only one undefeated team in the Pac12.
Games that mattered
UNLV (1-8) at SDSU (6-3)
A weak UNLV came to town, hoping to knock off the surging SDSU team that is coming off a three game win-streak. UNLV hasn't been able to do much against anybody this season, other than its freak win against Air Force a couple of weeks ago. Since Ryan Katz suffered a season-ending broken ankle last week, sophomore Adam Dingwell got the first start of his career. He pulled out a middling performance, but it was enough to pull out the win. He went 13/26 for 231 yards, 2 TDs and 1 interception. The Aztecs also rushed for 275 yards, having two back get over the century mark. Final score: Aztecs win 24-13
Portland State (3-5) at UC Davis (3-6)
The Vikings went down to UC Davis hoping to come out with a victory over a UC Davis team that is in a similar situation in the Big Sky. Both teams are struggling and looking for some solid wins to finish out the season. The first half of the game was close, both teams going into the locker room with the score tied at 14. However, Portland State came out hitting hard, forcing 4 turnovers in the second half and really handing it to UC Davis. The Vikings racked up 280 yards on the ground. Final score: Vikings win 49-21
Games that didn't matter
Washington State (2-6) at Stanford (6-2)
<script src="http://player.espn.com/player.js?&playerBrandingId=4ef8000cbaf34c1687a7d9a26fe0e89e&pcode=1kNG061cgaoolOncv54OAO1ceO-I&width=576&height=324&externalId=espn:8562489&thruParam_espn-ui[autoPlay]=false&thruParam_espn-ui[playRelatedExternally]=true"></script>17th ranked Stanford played host to the the zombies of Washington State. In what most expected to be a rout, anything but that happened. At halftime, the game was tied at 10. Once again, Stanford was exemplary at showing how one-dimensional it is. Wazzu effectively stopped Stanford's pass game, and held the Cardinal to 120 yards rushing. Jeff Tuel, though sacked 10 times, let me repeat that - 10 times - threw for a whopping 401 yards, 2 TDs and one interception. It wasn't enough. Final score: Cardinal wins 24-17
CU (1-7) at Oregon (8-0)
CU continues to show why it is the worst team in the conference. Each week they play, I am continually baffled as to how the Buffs actually beat the Cougs ... in Pullman! My only theory is that the Cougs didn't want another Pac12 team to run the table and post a winless season since the Huskies did it in 2008. Anyway, Oregon posted an impressive first half, going into the locker room with a 56-0 lead. The Buffs had 2 or 3 good plays the entire game, but really had nothing to show for their efforts. It's not easy being on the bottom. Final score: Oregon wins 70-14
USC (6-2) at Arizona (5-3)
<script src="http://player.espn.com/player.js?&playerBrandingId=4ef8000cbaf34c1687a7d9a26fe0e89e&pcode=1kNG061cgaoolOncv54OAO1ceO-I&width=576&height=324&externalId=espn:8561748&thruParam_espn-ui[autoPlay]=false&thruParam_espn-ui[playRelatedExternally]=true"></script> Somebody needs to put some water on Marquise Lee. The kid is on fire. He had 345 yards receiving, and 469 all-purpose yards, setting a Pac12 record, and putting himself at #5 all time in FBS history. Matt Barkley tied Carson Palmer's USC record for 400+ yard passing games in a career at three. But the story of the game was really the other Matt, Matt Scott. He ran for over 100 yards and led the Wildcats, who were down by 10 points in the third quarter, to an 11 point lead. It was a thing of beauty. USC got within 3 points at the end of the game, but its final drive failed on a Hail Mary attempt. Final score: Wildcats win 39-36
Cal (3-5) at Utah (3-5)
There is a serious difference in the paradigms of these 2 teams. After last Saturday, both teams have the same record. On paper, both teams look really similar. That's where the similarities end, however. One team appears to care about its coach, the other seems to have given up on the season. I'll let you decided who's who. Regardless, we play both these teams in the next 2 weeks. The Bears failed seriously on special teams, allowing 2 kickoff returns to go the distance. On top of that, the Bears gave up the ball 3 times. For once, Cal's leading receiver was not Keenan Allen. Utah was ready for this one. Final score: Utah wins 49-27