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Each week, the Hotline ranks the best major college football teams across the western third of the country — not only the Pac-12 but the Mountain West and Independents — using a formula that’s partly results-oriented and partly subjective.
We will publish a similar ranking once the basketball season begins, incorporating the top teams from the West Coast Conference, Big West, Big Sky and Western Athletic, as well.
Here’s our assessment through the results of Week Five …
(All times Pacific)
1. USC (5-0/3-0 Pac-12)
Last week: 1
Result: beat Arizona State 42-25
Next up: vs. Washington State (4:30 p.m. on FOX)
Line: USC -13
Comment: Survive WSU and escape Salt Lake City next weekend, and the Trojans become a frontrunner for the playoff. They can afford one loss down the stretch, as long as it’s not in the conference championship.
2. Utah (4-1/2-0 Pac-12)
Last week: 2
Result: beat Oregon State 42-16
Next up: at UCLA (12:30 p.m. on FOX)
Line: Utah -4.5
Comment: Back-to-back Saturdays against the Los Angeles schools — with all three teams ranked and both games on FOX — create a stellar opportunity for the Utes to offer a narrative counterweight to the Florida loss.
3. Oregon (4-1/2-0 Pac-12)
Last week: 3
Result: beat Stanford 45-27
Next up: at Arizona (6 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Line: Oregon -13
Comment: The offensive line lacks a headliner like Penei Sewell, but its effectiveness can be summed up with one number: 5.96 yards per rush. We expect a 200-yard game Saturday night.
4. Brigham Young (4-1)
Last week: 4
Result: beat Utah State 38-26
Next up: at Notre Dame (4:30 p.m. on NBC)
Line: BYU +7
Comment: Clearly, the Cougars aren’t the worst major college team in the state of Utah. Unfortunately, we won’t find out if they are the best.
5. Washington State (4-1/1-1 Pac-12)
Last week: 6
Result: beat Cal 28-9
Next up: at USC (4:30 p.m. on FOX)
Line: WSU +13
Comment: Combined score the past two years: USC 83, WSU 27. This edition should be more competitive.
6. UCLA (5-0/2-0 Pac-12)
Last week: 9
Result: beat Washington 40-32
Next up: vs. Utah (12:30 p.m. on FOX)
Line: UCLA +4.5
Comment: If Dorian Thompson-Robinson follows his sterling performance against Washington with a first-rate showing this week (on broadcast television, no less), Los Angeles will have its second Heisman Trophy contender. And we could be looking at 1988 all over again.
7. Washington (4-1/1-1 Pac-12)
Last week: 5
Result: lost at UCLA 40-32
Next up: at Arizona State (1 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Line: Washington -14
Comment: Speaking of … UW quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has a narrow path to serious consideration for the Heisman. And it’s more easily traversed if he’s carrying nine or 10 victories. This is a must-win on multiple levels.
8. Air Force (4-1/1-1Mountain West)
Last week: 10
Result: beat Navy 13-10
Next up: at Utah State (4 p.m. on FS1)
Line: Air Force -10
Comment: This is the final chance to refine and polish before the back-to-back games that will define the Falcons’ season, against UNLV and Boise State.
9. UNLV (4-1/2-0 Mountain West)
Last week: NR
Result: beat New Mexico 31-20
Next up: at San Jose State (Friday, 7:30 p.m. on CBSSN)
Line: UNLV +7
Comment: We have been impressed by third-year coach Marcus Arroyo’s work revitalizing the program but need to see more. Fortunately, the Rebels have a date Friday night that will lend considerable clarity to their outlook.
10. San Jose State (3-1/1-0 Mountain West)
Last week: NR
Result: won at Wyoming 33-16
Next up: vs. UNLV (Friday, 7:30 p.m. on CBSSN)
Line: SJSU -7
Comment: This stacks up as the Spartans’ best team since all the way back in 2020. Good chance coach Brent Brennan secures his second winning season in three years — a feat not accomplished around SJSU in three decades.
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Originally published at Jon Wilner