Ranking the Best Pac-12 Performances After Opening Weekend
After spending two months of Saturdays watching many other college football teams hit the field, eight Pac-12 programs had a chance to join the action in Week 10.
During this opening weekend, a couple of running backs and wide receivers—including one of each at Washington State—put up the flashiest numbers.
Two defenders also stood out as the best Pac-12 performers Saturday, along with one Oregon unit that merits some specific praise.
These rankings are based on production from the conference's opening weekend, as well as key plays and influence on the outcome. Future expectations do not affect the order.
8. Oregon's Running Game
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While the overall emphasis is on individuals, Oregon collectively rushed for 269 yards and four touchdowns. Three players contributed in a major way, and a fourth player scored.
CJ Verdell scampered for a team-high 105 yards, quarterback Tyler Shough added 85, and Travis Dye notched 78 on only six carries. Each of them, along with short-yardage specialist Cyrus Habibi-Likio, scored a touchdown in the 35-14 victory over Stanford.
Oregon's new-look offensive line of George Moore, Steven Jones, TJ Bass, Alex Forsyth, Ryan Walk and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu put together a very encouraging game.
7. Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, USC
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When you read Arizona State piled up 258 rushing yards, it might seem strange to label a defensive tackle as a top performer. Marlon Tuipulotu had a constant impact on the game, though.
The redshirt junior continually made his way into the backfield and disrupted the Sun Devils, who managed just 5.8 yards per pass attempt on the day. He posted a career-best eight tackles with two stops for loss, including one sack.
Since the Trojans will not have Jay Tufele (opt-out) in 2020, they'll lean on Tuipulotu for this kind of impact each week.
6. Deon McIntosh, RB, Washington State
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When a running back averages 8.0 yards per carry, totals 144 yards and is the second-best offensive contributor, that is generally a sign of a successful day.
Deon McIntosh tallied those marks and scored a touchdown in the Cougs' 38-28 triumph at Oregon State.
It was a breakout performance for McIntosh, who transferred from Notre Dame two years ago. He stepped in for starter Max Borghi (unspecified absence) and helped Washington State, which had 32 players sidelined, to a victory in head coach Nick Rolovich's debut.
When available, Borghi will likely be WSU's lead back. Still, McIntosh showed he deserves a consistent role.
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5. Jermar Jefferson, RB, Oregon State
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After running for 1,380 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman, Jermar Jefferson dealt with an ankle injury that sidelined him for much of his follow-up season.
Saturday, he looked like his freshman self.
Jefferson tallied 120 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries, adding five catches for 50 yards. Considering he racked up 142 total yards and four scores against Washington State two years ago, it seems he enjoys playing the Cougs.
Granted, the outcome did not favor Oregon State. But as the Beavers aim to improve on the 38-28 loss, they can be certain Jefferson is ready to shoulder a heavy share of the offense in 2020.
4. Evan Fields, S, Arizona State
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While it's safe to suggest Evan Fields would have preferred a win, the Arizona State safety had a sensational game.
In the 28-27 loss to USC, the senior collected 17 tackles, forced two fumbles and broke up a pass. He created a turnover late in the fourth quarter that could have—should have, really—sealed the game before USC's improbable 13-point comeback.
Though expecting a repeat performance is unfair, a few excellent games would provide a much-needed boost for Fields' NFL draft profile. He's currently not mentioned among the top safety prospects.
3. Drake London, WR, USC
6 of 8From Tyler Vaughns and Amon-Ra St. Brown to Drake London and Bru McCoy, USC is loaded at receiver. Any one of them could have a massive stat line in any given week.
Saturday, St. Brown and London led the way, and London made the most important catch of the day.
St. Brown reeled in seven passes for 100 yards, but London notched team-best totals of eight receptions and 125 yards. His final catch, a 21-yard touchdown on 4th-and-9, pushed the Trojans to a 28-27 lead on ASU with 1:20 remaining in the game.
"That play was a play we run all the time," quarterback Kedon Slovis told reporters after the game. "There was three steps and a hitch ball, and Drake did the rest for me."
2. Travell Harris, WR, Washington State
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McIntosh led the rushing attack, but Travell Harris rushed for a touchdown while leading the receivers, too.
The junior grabbed seven passes for 107 yards and two scores—all team-best totals—and iced the victory in the fourth quarter. With 2:30 left and the Cougs holding a 31-28 lead, he went in motion, took a handoff and sprinted 44 yards up the middle untouched to the end zone.
Harris also returned two kickoffs for 27 yards, totaling 183 all-purpose yards—the third-highest mark in his career.
1. Jarek Broussard, RB, Colorado
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UCLA had no answers for Jarek Broussard.
The sophomore rushed for 187 yards and three touchdowns, propelling Colorado to a 48-42 win over the Bruins. Saturday marked the long-awaited debut for Broussard, who redshirted in 2018 and missed the 2019 season because of a knee injury.
"Man, shoutout to my hogs. They really did a good job tonight, opening up the holes," Broussard said of his offensive line, per Vinny Benedetto of the Colorado Springs Gazette. "If the hole's that big, it's not that hard to run through it."
Broussard also chipped in with two catches for 21 yards and returned a kickoff 13 yards, ending his debut with 221 all-purpose yards.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
