Around The Conference Table: Week 13

The final countdown

This season we go around our writers for their takes on the other conference games that went on in gameweek.

Pac-12 Network @Pac12Network

What an end to the #Pac12FB regular season for #TDsforEquality! 5️⃣8️⃣ touchdowns in week 13 1️⃣1️⃣,6️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ dollars raised in week 13 1️⃣1️⃣6️⃣,6️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ dollars raised so far this season @PacPremierBank | #Pac12FB | @PaycorInc

ASU @ Arizona (Arizona wins 38-35)

TD_24 - Mascots fighting, teams fighting, what a Territorial Cup. Jedd Fisch has a bright future in Tuscon if he can get a defense.

Christopher_h - This game was beyond chippy and it was obvious from the opening moments that it'd get worse. One team keeping their composure could have made a difference here. Both teams played terrible defense, but ultimately it was the turnovers forced by Arizona, particularly freshman LB Jacob Manu, that helped Arizona clinch this game.

Avinash - Great turnaround for Jedd Fisch. Arizona just needs to fix their defense and they'll be a bowl team. Arizona State will be fierce as well with Kenny Dillingham.

Rob Hwang - Definitely a more interesting game than I expected, and A LOT closer than I expected.

Notre Dame @ SC (SC wins 38-27)

TD_24 - Caleb Williams. HE1SM3N.

Christopher_h - USC RB Austin Jones (former Stanford RB) was the unsung hero of this game, as it was his rushing plays that kept USC's offense cruising, but QB Caleb Williams played hero-ball and definitely bolstered his Heisman resume with this one (even making the Heisman pose on the sidelines, so you know he was thinking about it). USC's secondary made ND QB Drew Pyne look like a competent quarterback, but USC was still able to out-offense this one.

Avinash - Without Caleb Williams USC is in El Paso. A remarkable talent who should be holding Heisman hardware. Good to see Notre Dame was a quality loss, Cal has a lot of those.

Rob Hwang - I can’t believe I need to root for SC so that I don’t have to watch Sonny Dykes in the playoffs.

Oregon @ OSU (OSU wins 38-34)

TD_24 - What an absolute hell of a game. Give me all of the Jonathan Smith stock you have. I'm glad Oregon State won because they are a feel good story, and because I predicted it too!

Christopher_h - Just an epic collapse by Oregon, as OSU gave up on throwing the ball midway through 3rd quarter (6 completions, 2 INTs before that point), and Oregon still couldn't stop them. Oregon's offense isn't as scary when Bo Nix can't run the ball, but it was special teams miscues and poor coaching decisions that killed Oregon on this one (OSU had to travel just 66 yards for 21 of their 28 points during their comeback). Oregon was 0/5 on 4th down conversions, and yet they were still willing to go for it deep in their own territory. Just bafflingly bad.

Avinash - Tosh Lupoi is a bad defensive coordinator. Jim Michalczik is a good offensive line coach. The Beavers had a remarkable season and seem poised for long term success.

Rob Hwang - Might be the best rivalry matchup in the conference for the next few years.

Washington @ Wazzu (Washington wins 51-33)

TD_24 - Pac 12 after dark twisted the Apple Cup into complete disarray and I was here for it. I thought the Wazzu defense would get way more stops than they did (like 2?) but the UW O line made Michael Penix's life easy. Washington is looking at a Rose Bowl berth should USC take care of business in Vegas.

Christopher_h - UW definitely looked like the better team, but Wazzu kept it close in the first half by taking advantage of a number of blown coverages by UW. The Wazzu secondary was no match for QB Michael Penix Jr, and the UW defensive line did a great job keeping QB Cameron Ward off-balance in the second half to pull away with the Apple Cup.

Avinash - From 5-7 to 10-2. Kalen DeBoer was the home run hire we all feared at Washington. This is not going to be a fun game for the Bears in future years.

Rob Hwang - What a surprise season for both squads. Not that I thought they would be bad, but just the turn around and how quickly they got THIS good.

Utah @ Colorado (Utah wins 63-21)

TD_24 - This game existed. Colorado started their 4th string QB. I don't know where the program goes from here (but hey they beat Cal!)

Christopher_h - I watch all of the Pac-12 games, and I haven't seen a team--FCS matchups included--look as helpless as Colorado did in this one. Utah put in the backups for the entire second half after cruising to a 42-0 lead at halftime, and even Utah's backups looked better than Colorado did. Ouch.

Avinash - Kyle Whittingham is the best Pac-12 coach this past decade. Just an astonishing run and rise after a long time toiling at the middle.

Rob Hwang - Surprised Colorado put up 21…

BYU @ Stanford (BYU wins 35-26)

TD_24 - A fitting end for Stanford. David Shaw gets to ride off into the sunset on his own terms and good for him. He's someone whose impact goes beyond the field, and someone who should be wholly respected when not coaching against us for 60 minutes.

Christopher_h - Stanford could not stop BYU's run game (led by former Cal RB Christopher Brooks) at all, and BYU scored every time they touched the ball in the first half, and it wasn't until BYU's starting QB left the game with an injury that they finally got a stop. Don't be fooled by the final score at all, Stanford scored some meaningless touchdowns late in the game long after BYU let off the gas. This was an embarrassing blowout. Still can't believe Stanford beat Notre Dame.

Avinash - Come back David Shaw. We miss you.

Rob Hwang - Can’t believe this was the last game we saw David Shaw coach at Stanford.

Any other thoughts?

TD_24 - USC cannon fodder to Georgia? Sign me up.

Christopher_h - UCLA sucks. That is all.

Rob Hwang - Never in doubt.