Saturday Night Five examined the top storylines from Week Eight. The following are the Hotline’s picks for the weekly honor roll …
*** Offensive Player of the Week: Oregon QB Justin Herbert
Herbert’s critics have (not unreasonably) pointed to his lack of big-stage, pressure-packed victories through three-and-a-half seasons.
He delivered one Saturday, leading the Ducks back from a 14-point, third-quarter deficit on the road against their rival.
His counterpart, Jacob Eason, was also superb, and the conference could not have asked for better performances from its top NFL quarterback prospects.
But the edge goes to Herbert for his play in the second half, when he completed 10-of-14 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
Were this a group award, the Ducks’ offensive line would be more than deserving.
Also considered: Washington QB Jacob Eason, UCLA TB Joshua Kelley, Oregon OT Penei Sewell, Washington State TB Max Borghi, Utah TB Zack Moss
*** Defensive Player of the Week: Utah DE Bradlee Anae
Anae was unstoppable off the edge against Arizona State and led a defensive effort the likes of which we rarely see. (The Sun Devils completed four passes and produced 136 yards.)
Credited with three sacks, he spent as much time in ASU’s backfield as Eno Benjamin and seemed to flush Jayden Daniels from the pocket on every pass attempt.
He’s tied for 11th in the nation in sacks this season (seven) and has 23.5 for his career.
Also considered: Cal LB Evan Weaver. Oregon State LB Hamilcar Rashed Jr.
*** Special teams Player of the Week: Arizona State P Michael Turk
ASU’s lack of offense forced Turk onto the field eight times, and he delivered repeatedly with an average of 48 yards per punt — several of which were vital to flipping field position.
*** Coach of the Week: Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith
The Beavers rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Cal and record their second conference road win of the season — the first time since 2013 that Oregon State has won twice away from home in conference play.
The Beavers have more overall wins (three) than they collected all of last season (two) and, remarkably, possess a path to the postseason.
In need of three wins, they play Arizona State and Washington at home and visit Arizona, Washington State and Oregon.
Smith’s rebuild is ahead of schedule, thanks to a solid array of skill position players, improved defense and smart acquisitions (i.e. impact transfers).
Give OSU a few more wins, and he should receive strong consideration for Pac-12 Coach of the Year.
Also considered: Utah’s Kyle Whittingham, Oregon’s Mario Cristobal
*** Team of the Week: Oregon
Rallied from a 14-point deficit to slay their rival and take control of the North.
The Ducks have now beaten Stanford, Cal and Washington and own a multi-game advantage over their closest pursuer (OSU).
Also considered: Utah
Play of the Week: Utah TB Zack Moss’ TD run
It didn’t win the game, but Moss’s 32-yard scamper midway through the fourth quarter sealed the victory over ASU and catapulted him into first place on Utah’s career rushing list.
Moss has 3,264 yards, breaking the school record held by Eddie Johnson (from Utah’s time in the WAC).
Were he to average 100 yards over the final seven games — that would include an appearance in the conference championship and a bowl — Moss would top 4,000 career yards and pass Christian McCaffrey for 13th place in conference history.
If he were to reach the 4,050-yard mark, which would require 112 ypg over seven games, Moss would sneak into the top 10.
Game of the Week: Oregon 35, Washington 31
It was everything the conference could have wanted for a rare 12:30 p.m. ABC telecast:
Ranked teams and heated rivals playing a high-level game, with NFL quarterbacks at their best, plenty of touchdowns and momentum shifts and great optics (Husky Stadium).
Should be one of the top-rated Pac-12 games of the season and more evidence — not that any was needed — that Ducks v Huskies is the best current rivalry in the conference.
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