11-In-A-Row Pac Review: Oregon Stands Out In the North, South As Murky As Ever

Good morning, Duck fans. Today marks day no. 4005 since washington has beaten Oregon in football. That's now eleven in a row. All by at least 17 points. We'll never live in a husky-free northwest, but we live in a husky-irrelevant northwest. In many ways, that's so much better.

North:

1. Oregon (6-1, 3-1) 45-20 over washington

The Arizona loss seems a long ways away as the return of Jake Fisher has made the Oregon offense hum like the days of yore. Royce Freeman ran his way to 169 yards and four touchdowns and Marcus Mariota threw for over 300 yards and no picks. The maligned defense looked really solid, too. A cause for concern? Another offensive line injury, this time to guard Hamani Stevens.

2. Stanford (4-3, 2-2) 10-26 to Arizona St.

The South is clearly the deeper of the two divsion, and it seems like there is a big dip between Oregon and Stanford with its anemic offense. But until Oregon can prove it can actually beat the Cardinal, I'm not ready to call this division closed.

3. washington (5-2, 1-2) 20-45 to Oregon

From a comment on UW Dawg Pound:

Other power teams in the PAC I think we can win. But Oregon? The secret is that not only are they consistently more talented, but they still fucking hate us. That is a lethal combination.

Yes. Yes we do.

4. Oregon State (4-2, 1-2) 23-29 to Utah

Oregon State should have probably won this game. But Mike Riley's clock management, and playing for a field goal at the end of regulation instead of the win, is the kind of play that is worthy of a loss.

5. California (4-3, 2-3) 34-36 to UCLA

Of course, Sonny Dykes went for the touchdown over the field goal, and ended up turning the ball over, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.

6. Washington St. (1-3, 2-5) BYE

It's been a disappointing season on the Palouse. But Arizona comes up next week for a late October showdown in Pullman. It's the kind of game that has ambush written all over it.

South

I have no idea what to make of this division. The top four could go in any order, and I really couldn't argue with it.

1. Utah (5-1, 2-1) 29-23 over Oregon State

That miserable quarter against Washington State caused them their only loss of the season, but I still think this is the best team in the South. If Oregon finally beats Stanford this year, the following week's trip to Salt Lake City has letdown written all over it.

2. Arizona State (5-1, 3-1) 26-10 over Stanford

They almost get a pass for getting blown out against UCLA, as it was their first game without Taylor Kelly. All they've done since is beat USC and Stanford, and have the chance to put a dagger in washington's season next week.

3. Arizona (5-1, 2-1) BYE

Their win over Oregon is the conference's best win, but they benefitted from the Ducks' offensive line injuries. That said, they have a very manageable rest of the schedule.

4. USC (5-2, 4-1) 56-28 over Colorado

I can't find anything remotely interesting to say about this game.

5. UCLA (5-2, 2-2) 36-34 over Cal

I've said it since the summer, and I'll continue pounding it home: UCLA isn't any good. UCLA isn't any good. UCLA isn't any good.

6. Colorado (2-5, 0-4) 28-56 to USC

Colorado is our Glass Joe. If you have opposable thumbs, you win.

Next Week

Friday

Oregon at California (Levi's Stadium)

Saturday

UCLA at Colorado

Oregon State at Stanford

Arizona at Washington State

USC at Utah

Arizona State at Washington