Welcome to your Week 7 Headlines in Review, written by the Three Technique Team. This week, we take a look at the Pac-12’s week in the spotlight before throwing it around the FBS for a Stock Report, and separate contenders from pretenders. Let us know which teams you have on the rise in the comments below, and be sure to check out the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple!
Purple Reigns Thanks to 4th Down Stops and Clutch Downfield Passing
In a quarterback matchup we’ve been looking forward to all year, Michael Penix Jr. out-dueled Bo Nix and cemented himself as the midseason Heisman Trophy favorite. There is a very good chance we look back on the two magnificent throws — on the only plays Washington needed to score the go-ahead touchdown in 33 seconds on its final possession — as Penix’s “Heisman moment” in early December. The 18-yard connection to Rome Odunze capped off a 302-yard, four-touchdown performance and sent Husky Stadium into a frenzy.
That moment will rightfully get a ton of attention and replays on highlight reels this week, but it never would have happened without the Huskies’ defense forcing the Oregon offense to turn the ball over on downs for the third time moments before. The three stops on fourth down stonewalled an otherwise prolific offensive attack from the Ducks, who gained 337 yards through the air and added 204 on the ground. Dan Lanning’s aggressive tactics also backfired at the end of the first half, when a Nix pass fell incomplete on fourth-and-goal as time expired.
The Pac-12 is certainly delivering a memorable final season, and Washington finds itself in the driver’s seat with five games to go. Four of the top five teams have at least three more games against each other before the end of the regular season. Buckle up.
The Trojans’ Offense Falls Woefully Short in First True Test at Notre Dame
Caleb Williams looked mortal for perhaps the first time since he and Lincoln Riley moved west, and the much-maligned USC defense was not up to the task of picking up the slack. The result was a 48-20 Jeweled shellacking by Notre Dame in a game that didn’t even feel that close. Williams threw three interceptions and posted his lowest QBR since a loss at Baylor in his freshman campaign at Oklahoma. On top of that, the offense lost two fumbles and the line surrendered six sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Woof.
Notre Dame, fresh off a daunting run of defenses, certainly didn’t wow anyone with its offensive output, but the attack was balanced, efficient and took what the porous Trojans defense gave it. The final score was aided by defensive and special teams scores, but one true bright spot was talented athlete Chris Tyree finally looking comfortable catching the ball. He caught a 46-yard touchdown in stride late in the third quarter to essentially put the game out of reach, and if he can become a consistent threat outside, the Irish offense can find a new gear.
USC must regroup quickly. While the Trojans sit atop the Pac-12 at 4-0 in conference, their schedule gets tougher quickly beginning next weekend with a home date against Utah. And while the Irish are all but eliminated from playoff contention in 2023, fans in South Bend have to be optimistic about the future. Marcus Freeman already has as many top 10 wins at home as Brian Kelly did in his 12 years at the helm.
Oregon State Will Be The One That Got Away From Big 12, Big Ten
Oregon State got dumped to start the 2023 season. As the Pac-12’s future collapsed like a house of cards, Oregon State struck out in search of a new home. But instead of being welcomed with open arms like the jocks of USC, Oregon, and Washington, the Beavers were friendzoned. Heck, even the nerds at Stanford and Cal found a new suitor in the ACC. Like all too many of us in high school, Oregon State (and Washington State) got the whole “It’s not you, it’s me speech” from the Big 12 and Big Ten. Big mistake.
Oregon State started its glow-up last year with the first 10-win season since 2006. Now, the Beavers are knocking on the door of a top 10 ranking and have become that certain someone that makes others wonder “wait, how did I miss HER?!” On the field this week, they put in another impressive showing, downing UCLA 36-24. DJ Uiagalelei looks to have found himself in this offense, and Damien Martinez and Deshaun Fenwick are a dynamic one-two punch in the backfield.
The Beaver’s sixth win of the season is notable because it extends their streak of bowl-eligible seasons to three, a feat not achieved by the program since a run of four years from 2006-2009. This year though, don’t expect Jonathan Smith’s bunch to be satisfied with just making a bowl. How sweet would it be if they found a way to win a Power Five conference title amid all the off-the-field noise and rejection?
The Stock Report: Huskies, Tigers, and Dukes Oh My!
Stock Up:
Washington — Washington was ranked fifth in the AP poll after its win over Oregon, but tell me who is definitively better than the Huskies right now?
Oregon State — A win next week at Arizona (no easy task) would mark the program’s best record through eight games since 2012.
Missouri — Talk to your kids about 10-win Missouri! The Tigers are proving all of the doubters wrong after their defense and special teams silenced the Kentucky Wildcats during their homecoming.
James Madison — 14-3 since joining the FBS ranks. If you need any indication of how difficult it is to make that transition successful, just ask Sam Houston.
Stock Down:
USC — The defense continues to slide…and the toughest games still remain on the schedule. Is Caleb Williams masking what should be a 6-6 team?
Miami — There’s no shame in losing to North Carolina on the road. But Mario Cristobal’s team looked disinterested and overmatched, and Tyler Van Dyke might be back to his 2022 self.
Texas A&M — Saturday’s loss in Knoxville marked eight straight road losses for the Aggies, with their last win coming on Oct. 16, 2021 at Missouri.
Wisconsin — Rumors of a Badgers offensive renaissance were greatly exaggerated.
Conference Contenders Down the Stretch
Here are four teams you absolutely cannot sleep on heading down the stretch:
North Carolina — Drake Maye seems to be rounding back into form, and the long-awaited addition of Devontez Walker is already paying dividends. An improved defense to go along with an elite offense means the Tar Heels are a true ACC contender.
Alabama — It feels like the country has forgotten that Alabama controls its destiny in the SEC West. Nick Saban might still know a thing or two about coaching ball.
Air Force — The Falcons have quietly been one of the best teams at the Group of Five level for the past several years, but they seem to be on an even higher level in 2023.
Tulane — The Green Wave is rolling to the inside track to the AAC Championship Game after the win over Memphis.
