By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
The Regular Season is coming to a close.
Last week, BYU kept its Playoff hopes alive, Colorado made a statement in Lubbock, and Arizona State continued to distinguish itself.
But perhaps the most under-the-radar story of the late season is UCLA’s emergence. The Bruins beat Iowa on Friday and look like a different program.
With all of the weekend’s results in mind, here’s how I view the Top 10 Teams in the West heading into Week 12.
1. Oregon (7-0, 10-0) ◄►
Last Week: Defeated Maryland 39-18
This Week: at Wisconsin
The Ducks might not have exceeded expectations against Maryland. But the final score ended up looking about right.
Dillon Gabriel’s Heisman campaign received a boost after he set an NCAA record with 179 total touchdowns and finished the day with 180.
Oregon faces a critical test on the road to Wisconsin this week.
2. BYU (6-0, 9-0) ◄►
Last Week: Defeated Utah 22-21
This Week: vs. Kansas
The Cougars have now won two straight against rival Utah. But BYU is entering a difficult stretch of its season.
Kansas is playing much better, Arizona State is strong, and Houston is surging.
And after struggling with the Utes, the chances for an undefeated season don’t appear as strong.
3. Colorado (5-1, 7-2) ▲1
Last Week: Defeated Texas Tech 41-27
This Week: vs. Utah
Message delivered. Colorado is for real and the win on the road against Texas Tech proved it.
The offensive line has been the difference this season and the sky is the limit.
At this point, CU is a growing favorite to win the Big 12 Championship Game and make the Playoff.
4. Boise State (5-0, 8-1) ▼1
Last Week: Defeated Nevada 28-21
This Week: at San Jose State
The result against Nevada is not what you want to see at the end of the season.
The Wolf Pack might be stronger than their record suggests, but a single-touchdown victory at home against a three-win team is a bad look.
The Broncos played No. 1 Oregon tough in Eugene, but depending on how you classify Washington State, Boise State doesn’t have a win over a Power Conference opponent.
5. Arizona State (4-2, 7-2) ▲1
Last Week: Defeated UCF 35-31
This Week: at Kansas State
Great teams win when they don’t play their best. Arizona State didn’t deserve to beat UCF but the Sun Devils got the job done.
Showing that they can win without Cam Skattebo was a significant development that indicates the strength of Kenny Dillingham’s program.
ASU remains in contention for the Big 12 Championship Game.
6. Washington State (8-1) ▼1
Last Week: Defeated Utah State 49-28
This Week: at New Mexico
At a certain point, the quality of competition Wazzu faces in the Mountain West holds the program back.
The Cougars are making the best of their situation, yet the Playoff continues to slip out of reach. There isn’t another opportunity left for a statement win to impress the Committee.
All Jake Dickert’s team can do is continue to win big.
7. UNLV (3-1, 7-2) ◄►
Last Week: Defeated Hawai’i 29-27
This Week: vs. San Diego State
A road win is a road win. Especially in Hawai’i.
The victory over the Warriors was the first step in finishing the season strong.
It’s still one game at a time, but the matchup with San Jose State on November 22 is looming.
Still, UNLV needs Colorado State to lose and can’t look past San Diego State this week.
8. California (1-4, 5-4) ▲1
Last Week: Defeated Wake Forest 46-36
This Week: vs. Syracuse
The Bears got their first win in the ACC with a road victory over Wake Forest.
It wasn’t easy and perhaps the margin of victory wasn’t as high as expected.
But it was the first step in what should be a strong finish to the year. Eight wins remain within reach if Cal wins out.
9. Colorado State (4-0, 6-3) ▲1
Last Week: Bye
This Week: vs. Wyoming
Coming off a bye week, Colorado State controls its own destiny.
Wyoming, Fresno State, and Utah State are left on the schedule and CSU is still undefeated in the Mountain West.
If the Rams win out and beat Boise State convincingly in the MWC Championship Game, they will at least have to be part of the discussion for the final auto-bid.
10. UCLA (3-4, 4-5) ▲NR
Last Week: Defeated Iowa 20-17
This Week: at Washington
Credit DeShaun Foster, his staff, and his players.
They have completely turned the season around with three straight wins over Rutgers, Nebraska, and Iowa. That seemed unthinkable in the middle of their five-game losing streak.
The string of victories indicates the program’s potential under Foster moving forward.
Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.
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