Pac-12 Football: Disappointments for Each Squad so Far
The Pac-12 football conference has five ranked teams so far in 2015—enough to make the argument that the conference is returning to its glory days of the early 2000s.
But even squads like the 4-1 Stanford Cardinal aren't without flaws. For better or worse, there won't be any apologizing as we begin to pick apart each team in the conference to find weaknesses—and provide a respective bright spot for each, as well.
As always, feel free to defend your colors in the comments section below.
Let's do this.
Stanford Cardinal: RB Christian McCaffrey
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While Cardinal quarterback Kevin Hogan has enjoyed immense success this season, running back Christian McCaffrey hasn't been so effective on the ground.
McCaffrey's yards per carry average is solid at 5.7, but the sophomore running back has only one rushing touchdown on the season so far. Also, note that his average was boosted by a 156-yard game against Arizona, a blowout win for Stanford.
It's hard to pick on a team that's 4-1 on the season and undefeated in conference play, but if Stanford wants to make a deep playoff run, it will need a consistent running attack—something McCaffrey has yet to bring to the table.
On the bright side: Even without McCaffrey, the Cardinal are rolling over opponents. After beginning the season with a 16-6 loss to Northwestern, Stanford has scored at least 30 points in its four straight victories.
California Golden Bears: Run Defense
2 of 12The California Golden Bears are off to an undefeated start to the season, thanks to their high-flying offense.
Remember, however, that the Golden Bears are yet to begin conference play. And if they want to succeed within the Pac-12, their run defense is going to have to step up.
In the highlights above, you can see that Texas had success running the football with its running backs and freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard. Despite a large lead in the fourth quarter, Cal allowed Texas runners to get the Longhorns back in the game.
California has allowed at least 100 yards to opposing running backs in three of its first five games this season—a stat that doesn't bode well for a team about to face Utah running back Devontae Booker, who has four rushing touchdowns on the year.
On the bright side: Quarterback Jared Goff has exploded onto the college football scene in 2015, throwing for 1,630 yards and 15 touchdowns through five games.
Oregon Ducks: Defense
3 of 12Oh, how the mighty Ducks of Oregon have fallen.
It's at least somewhat excusable as Oregon's quarterback situation isn't ideal—Marcus Mariota isn't a guy you can easily replace.
But the fact that the Ducks defense is ranked 113th in the nation in terms of points allowed is downright atrocious.
Looking at the highlight video above, you can see that Oregon not only gave up wide-open, straightforward touchdown passes, but was also tricked on several plays for scores.
In the past, we've seen Oregon being the tricksters.
Teams have scored more than 37 points per game on Oregon in 2015—a stat which is admittedly inflated by Utah's 62-point performance.
However, we can't completely overlook it because these two teams are in the same conference, and Oregon still has to play Stanford, USC and Cal toward the end of the season. Nothing suggests that Oregon's defense will improve by the time those games come around.
On the bright side: Oregon has rushed for just more than 300 yards per game, good for the No. 8 rushing yards rank in the nation. Sophomore running back Royce Freeman will be special for the Ducks moving forward.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Oregon State Beavers: Running Backs
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Don't be fooled by Oregon State's 188.5 rushing yards per game—the Beavers rushing attack hasn't exactly been stout in 2015.
Lead running back Storm Woods, a senior, has rushed for just 262 yards and a single touchdown this season. He isn't even the team's leading rusher.
That honor belongs to freshman quarterback Seth Collins, who has 306 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns so far in 2015.
Sure, it's legitimate that Collins' stats are indeed part of the Beavers running game. But it doesn't cover up the fact that Oregon State doesn't have a running back able to take charge in a game when it matters most.
Relying on a freshman quarterback to both pass and run effectively throughout the season is simply too much to ask. And, considering that the running backs listed behind Woods all have less than 100 yards on the season, there's no indication this Beavers rushing attack will improve.
On the bright side: The aforementioned Seth Collins is having a brilliant season, playing smart to the tune of five touchdowns to one interception. The Beavers may have someone to truly build around looking forward.
Washington Huskies: Turnovers
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The Washington Huskies are 2-2 but could be 4-0 without costly turnovers in losses to Boise State and Cal.
It's only slightly disappointing that quarterback Jake Browning has thrown four picks this season—he is a freshman, after all.
But the Pac-12 has a long history of producing good quarterbacks, and the expectations don't differ for Browning. Both of Washington's losses have been by six points or less, and Browning threw at least one pick and zero touchdowns in both.
The Huskies have shown that they can compete with arguably the conference's best team in Cal. But Browning must play smarter football if the team is to win on the road against Stanford and USC later this season.
On the bright side: Washington's defense is ranked 17th in the country in terms of points allowed. They are the only team so far in 2015 to hold the Cal Golden Bears to less than 34 points.
Washington State Cougars: Running Game
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The Washington State Cougars have three running backs with carries this season, all of which have combined for less than 280 rushing yards on the season.
In a heartbreaking six-point loss to Cal, quarterback Luke Falk threw an interception on second down, with more than three minutes to play, near midfield. If the Cougars had any semblance of a ground game, they could've pounded the rock to alleviate pressure on Falk.
No such luck, unfortunately.
It's a very specific and isolated example, but it isn't outlandish to think that with a little better run game, the Cougars could be 1-0 in conference play rather than 0-1.
On the bright side: Again, we find a quarterback who is absolutely killing it through five games. Falk, a sophomore, has thrown for 1,459 yards and 10 touchdowns to just two interceptions.
Get this man a running game, and the Cougars are in business as they move forward.
Utah Utes: QB Travis Wilson
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Please understand that "disappointment" in the context of Travis Wilson and the Utah Utes isn't what it seems like.
This is an undefeated team playing well in all three phases of the game. That being said, Wilson's 513 passing yards in four games played is underwhelming.
The Utes have had the luxury of playing Fresno State and a reeling Oregon team. Wilson's four touchdowns and 227 yards against Oregon is good, but those numbers need to continue as Utah plays Cal and USC in two of its next three games.
Simply put, Utah isn't scoring enough points on a consistent basis to be in consideration for the nation's No. 1 ranking.
On the bright side: The Utah Utes aren't doing much wrong. Finding a legitimately disappointing aspect of the Utes' game is not easy to do right now.
UCLA Bruins: Week 5 Loss to Arizona State
8 of 12After cruising in three of its four wins, UCLA dropped a contest to Arizona State in Week 5.
The final play of the highlight reel above—a bruising, pile-pushing run from Arizona State—is pretty indicative of the disappointing loss as a whole.
It's also pretty much the only disappointing aspect of the Bruins' season so far. Still, it's not good to lose to a non-ranked team before back-to-back games against Stanford and Cal.
The Bruins defense gave up 465 total yards in the loss to ASU. Considering that both Cal and Stanford are getting excellent play out of their quarterbacks, UCLA must rebound with a solid game plan or face a potential three-game losing streak.
On the bright side: Freshman quarterback Josh Rosen is slaying the competition in 2015, throwing for 1,244 yards and nine touchdowns with five interceptions.
USC Trojans: Week 3 Loss to Stanford
9 of 12Southern California's other Pac-12 team also suffered a disappointing loss to an unranked conference rival in Stanford.
And, like UCLA, that loss is the only blemish on USC's 2015 season.
In that Week 3 loss, Stanford controlled the clock with more than 39 minutes of possession. The USC defense couldn't get off the field when it counted most, and you can count on Notre Dame, Utah and Cal (three of USC's next four opponents) to copy the Cardinal game plan.
The Trojans have been mostly excellent, but another loss would all but eliminate them from postseason play.
On the bright side: Cody Kessler is the villain of college football, carving up defenses for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns through four games. The Trojans' 357 pass yards per game ranks 11th in the nation.
Arizona State Sun Devils: K Zane Gonzalez
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At least one kicker had to be mentioned on this list.
Arizona State's Zane Gonzalez has not been good this season. In fact, he has already missed four field goals through five games in 2015. He missed five all of last season.
Gonzalez has missed one kick from 20-29 yards and all three attempts from 40 yards and beyond this season. His long on the year is a 31-yard kick.
On the bright side: Gonzalez's misses have not directly cost Arizona State any games.
Colorado Buffaloes: WR Nelson Spruce
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After a breakout 2014 campaign which featured 12 touchdown catches, Nelson Spruce has lost a step as Colorado's No. 1 receiver.
Through five games against less-than-elite competition, Spruce has only hauled in one touchdown grab in 2015. Spruce's 31 receptions and 363 yards are on track to match last year's stats (106 catches for 1,198 yards), but touchdowns truly make differences in games.
Colorado hopes Spruce can start scoring soon, as the Buffaloes begin conference play against ASU in Week 6.
On the bright side: The Buffaloes are getting it done on the ground. Colorado rushers with at least 20 touches on the season have combined for 12 touchdowns in 2015.
Arizona Wildcats: HC Rich Rodriguez
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When a team steamrolls its first three, inferior opponents and then gets steamrolled by two of its conference rivals, it's a sign of poor preparation by a coaching staff.
In losses against UCLA and Stanford, the Wildcats defense gave up more than 1,000 combined yards. That is not a respectable number, and it must fall on Rich Rodriguez.
And because of those atrocious losses, the Wildcats' playoff hopes are done.
The only glimmer of hope for the Wildcats resides in them potentially playing spoilers to USC and Utah in two of their final three games of the season.
Rodriguez must have his team playing respectable football late in the year, or he may not last another season in Arizona.
On the bright side: The Wildcats' 284.6 rushing yards per game ranks 12th in the nation. Sophomore running back Nick Wilson has 605 yards and six touchdowns on the season, averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
