November 17th 2024.
The Best of the West is back and ready to give fans an honest evaluation of the top teams in the western region of the country. This includes schools from the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, and Mountain West conferences. We will be publishing our rankings weekly on the Hotline throughout the regular season, so be sure to stay tuned for updates.
1. Oregon holds onto the top spot in our rankings after a close win against Wisconsin. Even the most dominant teams can have a scare, but the Ducks were able to pull through thanks to their strong defense. Coach Dan Lanning also avoided criticism for his decision to go for a fake field goal. Now, Oregon will take some time to rest before preparing for their upcoming game against Washington.
2. Boise State had a mix of good and bad news in terms of their playoff chances. Although they received a boost from Brigham Young's loss, their own resume was weakened by Washington State's loss. The Broncos are still in the running to be one of the top-ranked conference champions, but they will need to continue winning in order to secure their spot.
3. Colorado moved up in our rankings due to Brigham Young's loss to a sub-.500 team. However, their victory over Utah was not as decisive as it may seem, as the Utes have been struggling in the Big 12. We value a team's record more than their reputation, so the Buffaloes still have some work to do in order to climb higher in our rankings.
4. Arizona State also moved up after a double-digit victory over Kansas State. This was the best result of the Kenny Dillingham era, and he should be considered for Big 12 Coach of the Year honors. However, the Sun Devils will face a tough test in their upcoming game against Brigham Young.
5. Brigham Young suffered their first loss of the season, but it was bound to happen eventually. No team can consistently win against sub-.500 opponents, and this loss may actually benefit the Cougars in the long run if they are able to bounce back quickly.
6. UNLV continues to impress, with their latest victory coming against San Diego State. They are on track to make it to the Mountain West championship game, but pesky Colorado State may stand in their way.
7. Washington State dropped in our rankings after a loss to New Mexico. Their weakness has been their rushing defense, as they have allowed a staggering 636 yards in just two games. They will need to address this issue if they want to turn their season around.
8. Washington had a solid win against UCLA, but their season has not gone as well as expected. They will likely finish with either a 7-5 or 6-6 record, and until they improve their lines of scrimmage, they will not be contenders for the Big Ten title.
9. UCLA suffered a tough loss to Washington, and it may come back to haunt them if they fall just short of a bowl berth. Their performance against Minnesota, where they gave up a touchdown in the final seconds, may be the game that ultimately cost them a spot in the postseason.
10. USC is on the brink of missing out on a bowl game, and all eyes will be on new coach Lincoln Riley to see if he can lead the Trojans to a win against their rivals, UCLA. If they fail to do so, the pressure will only continue to build for Riley.
11. Cal dropped in our rankings after a loss to Syracuse, and things could get worse for them if they are unable to beat Stanford. Fans are growing increasingly frustrated with coach Justin Wilcox, and another loss could push them over the edge.
12. Arizona had a surprising win against Houston, and they may have a chance to upset TCU in their upcoming game. However, they will need to fix some issues on both offense and defense if they want to have a chance at winning.
13. San Jose State's game against Boise State was closer than expected, and they will need to eliminate mistakes if they want to beat UNLV in their next game.
14. Colorado State has turned their season around after a rough start, but they will face a tough test against Fresno State.
15. Utah had a disappointing loss to Colorado, and their season has been plagued by a lack of complementary football. They will need to improve in all areas if they want to turn things around in their game against Iowa State.
We welcome any suggestions, comments, or tips at
[email protected] or you can also reach out to us at 408-920-5716. Also, be sure to follow us on social media at @WilnerHotline for all the latest updates.
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