UW Overlooks in Upset by USC and Oregon; California’s Quarterback Shines Through Consecutive Victories

August 31, 2025

The opening weekend of the College Football season delivered a blend of expected blowouts and unexpected challenges, particularly for teams navigating a changing conference landscape. While some programs asserted their dominance, others faced immediate pressure, raising questions about their prospects for the year ahead. This analysis unpacks the key storylines from a captivating first week of action, focusing on coaching performances, emerging quarterbacks, and the evolving power dynamics within the major conferences.

Dominance and Disappointment: A Tale of Two Saturdays

The initial slate of games featured several lopsided victories, with Oregon, USC, and Brigham Young combining for a staggering 201-26 point differential against their opponents. Arizona and Arizona State also secured comfortable wins at home, further illustrating the disparity in talent levels in some matchups. However, the night games on the West coast proved more competitive, although not always in ways coaches desired.

Close Calls and Upset Potential

Washington State narrowly avoided an early-season setback, securing a 13-10 victory over Idaho after a late field goal. across the state, Washington managed a 38-21 win against Colorado State, a result that, despite the margin, exposed vulnerabilities in their offense. The Huskies’ success hinged on a strong fourth quarter and the remarkable performance of tailback Jonah Coleman, who rushed for 177 yards. Despite the win, the game highlighted the need for consistent performance throughout the entirety of the contest.

A technical glitch during the Arizona State game on ESPN+ caused a temporary broadcast outage, prompting an apology from the school’s athletic director. This incident underscores the challenges of delivering live sports content in an increasingly fragmented media surroundings.

The pac-12’s Final Season: Turbulence Ahead?

For Washington State and Oregon State, the future of their conference is uncertain, and their on-field performances in week 1 did little to inspire confidence. Washington State struggled offensively, managing only 211 yards against Idaho. Oregon State, meanwhile, fell behind early against Cal and never recovered, raising serious concerns about their ability to compete in a rapidly evolving college football landscape.

Coaching Hot Seats: Pressure Mounts

The performance of both Trent Bray at Oregon State and deshaun Foster at UCLA puts them firmly on the hot seat. Both coaches, in their second year at the helm, have yet to demonstrate the ability to turn their programs around. UCLA’s 43-10 loss to Utah was particularly damaging, highlighting the challenges foster faces in rebuilding the Bruins. Though, other coaches, like Lincoln Riley (USC), Justin Wilcox (Cal), and Brent Brennan (Arizona), delivered impressive victories that bolster their positions.

Coach	School	Week 1 Result	Hot Seat status
Trent Bray	Oregon State	Lost to Cal 34-15	high
DeShaun Foster	UCLA	Lost to Utah 43-10	High
Lincoln Riley	USC	Defeated Missouri state 73-13	Low
Justin Wilcox	Cal	Defeated Oregon State 34-15	Low
Brent Brennan	Arizona	Defeated Hawaii 40-6	Low

Quarterback Carousel: Emerging Stars

The debut of several new quarterbacks across the nation captivated fans. Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a transfer from Oregon, particularly stood out, completing 20-of-30 passes for three touchdowns and no interceptions. His poise and accuracy suggest he could be a key player for the Bears this season.

Did You Know? Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele was on Oregon’s Rose Bowl roster before transferring to Cal, demonstrating his high-level potential.

Conference Power Dynamics: An Early Assessment

After the first week of games, the power conferences appear relatively evenly matched. The ACC,Big Ten,Big 12,and SEC all posted similar records against each other,suggesting a competitive season ahead.However, inter-conference matchups will continue to shape the landscape and influence the College Football playoff selection process.

Understanding College Football Playoff selection

The College Football Playoff (CFP) is a four-team tournament that determines the national champion in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). A 13-member selection committee evaluates teams based on various factors, including strength of schedule, conference championships, and head-to-head results. The CFP has been expanded to 12 teams as of the 2024 season, and will continue to evolve. (Source: NCAA.com)

The Importance of Early Season Wins

Early-season wins are crucial for building a team’s resume and gaining the attention of the CFP selection committee. Victories against Power Five opponents are particularly valuable, as they demonstrate a team’s ability to compete at the highest level. However, it’s crucial to remember that the season is long, and a single loss doesn’t necessarily eliminate a team from contention.

Frequently Asked Questions about Week 1 College Football

• What is the importance of Week 1 in college football? It sets the tone for the season and provides an early indication of teams’ strengths and weaknesses.
• How does the expanded College Football Playoff impact team strategy? Teams may now be more willing to take risks and schedule challenging non-conference games, knowing that a single loss is less likely to be fatal to their playoff hopes.
• Which quarterbacks made the biggest impression in Week 1? Cal’s jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele stood out with his impressive performance in his debut.
• are any coaches already on the hot seat after Week 1? Trent Bray (Oregon State) and DeShaun Foster (UCLA) are facing increased pressure following disappointing losses.
• What does this week’s results mean for the Pac-12 conference? It indicates a perhaps challenging season for the remaining Pac-12 teams, with both Washington State and Oregon State struggling in their opening games.

What are your predictions for the rest of the college football season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

What strategic adjustments did USC make to exploit Washington’s defensive weaknesses, leading to their offensive line dominance?

The Weekend That Shook Pac-12 Football

The college football landscape shifted dramatically this past weekend, with the Washington Huskies suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of the USC Trojans and the Oregon Ducks.These upsets have thrown the Pac-12 Championship race wide open and highlighted the emergence of California’s quarterback as a genuine Heisman contender. This article breaks down the key moments, strategic failures, and standout performances that defined this pivotal weekend in college football. We’ll analyze the game film, look at the impact on college football rankings, and assess the path forward for UW.

USC’s Stunning Victory in Seattle: A Tactical Breakdown

The USC Trojans, initially considered underdogs, pulled off a stunning 35-28 victory over the previously undefeated Washington Huskies. Several factors contributed to this upset:

USC’s Offensive Line Dominance: The Trojan offensive line consistently created running lanes for their backs and provided ample protection for quarterback Miller Moss. This allowed USC to control the clock and keep UW’s explosive offense off the field.

UW’s Defensive Struggles: Washington’s usually stout defense struggled to contain USC’s rushing attack and failed to generate consistent pressure on Moss. Missed tackles and blown coverage assignments were prevalent throughout the game.

Turnovers: Crucial turnovers by UW, including a costly interception in the red zone, proved to be game-changing moments. Pac-12 football news outlets heavily scrutinized these errors.

Moss’s Performance: Miller Moss showcased poise and accuracy, completing 22 of 32 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns.

This win for USC wasn’t just about individual brilliance; it was a testament to their improved offensive line play and a well-executed game plan designed to exploit UW’s defensive weaknesses. The USC Trojans football team proved they are a force to be reckoned with.

Oregon Ducks Soar Past Washington: A Repeat of Defensive Issues

Just a week after the USC loss, washington faced another formidable opponent in the Oregon Ducks. The result was eerily similar: a 38-24 defeat for the Huskies. The issues that plagued UW against USC resurfaced, and Oregon capitalized ruthlessly.

Ducks’ Explosive Offense: Oregon’s high-powered offense, led by quarterback Bo Nix, proved too much for UW to handle. Nix consistently found open receivers and orchestrated long, sustained drives.

UW’s Inability to Adjust: Washington’s coaching staff failed to make the necessary adjustments to counter Oregon’s offensive attack.The Huskies continued to struggle with coverage assignments and tackling.

Special Teams Mistakes: A blocked punt returned for a touchdown swung the momentum decisively in Oregon’s favor. College football scores reflected the impact of this special teams blunder.

Nix’s Command: Bo Nix completed 30 of 42 passes for 337 yards and two touchdowns, demonstrating his command of the Oregon offense.

The Oregon game highlighted a concerning trend for washington: a vulnerability on defense that opponents are now actively exploiting. The Oregon Ducks football program is looking strong.

California’s Quarterback: The Emerging Heisman Frontrunner

While Washington faltered, California’s quarterback, Jedediah Billings, delivered two stellar performances, leading his team to consecutive victories. Billings has quickly become a national sensation,captivating fans with his accuracy,arm strength,and leadership.

Week 1 Performance: Billings threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns in a dominant win against Stanford.

Week 2 Performance: He followed that up with 380 yards and four touchdowns in a thrilling victory over UCLA.

Heisman Buzz: Sports analysts are now seriously considering Billings as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. His consistent performance and ability to elevate his team have garnered widespread praise.

Statistical Dominance: Billings currently leads the Pac-12 in passing yards and touchdown passes. Heisman Trophy odds are shifting in his favor.

Billings’ rise is a testament to his talent and dedication. He’s quickly becoming the face of California football and a player to watch for the rest of the season. The California Golden Bears football team is benefitting from his leadership.

Impact on the Pac-12 Championship Race

These upsets have dramatically altered the Pac-12 Championship picture. Oregon and USC now appear to be the frontrunners, with california emerging as a dark horse contender. Washington’s path to the championship is now substantially more challenging.

Oregon’s Control: The Ducks have a favorable schedule and appear to be in a strong position to secure a spot in the Pac-12 Championship game.

USC’s Momentum: USC’s victories over Washington have boosted their confidence and solidified their position as a top contender.

California’s Ascent: california’s impressive performances have propelled them into the championship conversation.

Washington’s Challenges: Washington must regroup and address their defensive issues if they hope to remain in