Mailbag: Pac-12 angst sets in -- 'Let's fire everyone!' (Colorado excepted)
While fans of the Buffaloes may be loving life, followers of UCLA, USC, Oregon (the list goes on ...) already are getting sour about their team.
2016 ScheduleAll times ET
2016 Schedule
2-2, 4th in Pac 12 - South
Pac-12 Week 5 viewer's guide: Playoff-potential matchup in the North
If Stanford can get consistent pressure on Washington quarterback Jake Browning, the Cardinal have a good shot at a win Saturday.
Hot Board predictions: Huge games ... huge visitors
A pair of five-stars will be in the front row, visiting SEC powerhouses while Michigan hosts another New Jersey prospect and Clemson takes a shot at an ESPN 300 DB.
Week 5 in the Pac-12: What to watch for
The biggest thing to watch for in the Pac-12 in Week 5 is a top-10 matchup between Washington and Stanford, but that's not all you should watch.
Pac-12 Week 5 game picks: Battle of unbeatens in Seattle
Two top-10 teams meet in Seattle when Washington hosts Stanford on Friday night. On Saturday, Oregon will try to end its two-game skid against Wazzu.
Brown breaks into updated #CFBrank
UCLA LB Jayon Brown, unranked in the preseason, is No. 48 in our re-rank. Brown leads the Bruins with 33 tackles, including 23 solo. He also has a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Updated #CFBrank
Kyle Bonagura ESPN Staff Writer
Here is the full statement from the Pac-12 in regards to the helmet-to-helmet hit initiated by UCLA's Tahaan Goodman to Stanford's Francis Owusu on Saturday. It was determined during the game it was not targeting and confirmed again after further review. "Our conference office review of the play involving the tackle by UCLA's Tahaan Goodman of Stanford's Francis Owusu during Saturday night's game confirmed that the tackle was legal per NCAA playing rules. Per NCAA rules, the Stanford player was no longer a defenseless player once he caught the ball, established himself, and turned upfield. At that point the Stanford player became a ball carrier and was not deemed defenseless, which meant that NCAA Playing Rule 9-1-4 would not apply (hits to the head or neck area of a defenseless player). When analyzing NCAA Playing Rule 9-1-3, which states "No player shall target and make forcible contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet" it was determined that the crown of the helmet was not used. While there certainly was helmet to helmet contact, neither the game officials on the field or the replay officials called targeting because the contact was with the front of the helmet and not the crown (top) of the helmet. Additionally, we send in every targeting call and replay review of potential targeting calls, to the NCAA for review and feedback. "The Pac-12 Conference holds student-athlete health and safety to the highest regard and regrets the injury sustained on this play. We have been active in adopting player safety rules in games and practices, and have been actively involved in promoting and funding research that supports student-athlete well being and safety. Going forward, and in line with Coach David Shaw's concerns about this play, we expect additional discussion around the targeting rule during the offseason review process and will be an active participant in discussions to further reduce helmet to helmet contact."
Kyle Bonagura ESPN Staff Writer
UCLA announced it will host Fresno State in 2024. That makes three games between the two schools on future schedules with games already scheduled for 2018 and 2021. The Bruins have been one of the more ambitious scheduling teams in college football of late. They kicked off a home-and-home at Texas A&M this year and also have games lined up against Oklahoma (2018, 2019), LSU (2021, 2024), Michigan (2022, 2023) and Georgia (2025, 2026) among several other respected Group of 5 opponents.
UCLA ratchets up its physicality but still falls short against Stanford
The Bruins found a new formula for combating the Cardinal, one predicated on matching Stanford at its own game. Once again, however, UCLA fell short.
Kyle Bonagura ESPN Staff Writer
Highly-touted UCLA true freshman LB Mique Juarez is enrolled in classes and will meet with coach Jim Mora later this week, UCLA LB coach Scott White said. "The plan hasn't changed at all. The plan has always been for him to be back with us," White said. Juarez has been away from the team for about seven weeks for personal reasons. White said the staff wants to make sure he's ok as a person before bringing football back into the equation.
Kyle Bonagura ESPN Staff Writer
Understandably, UCLA coach Jim Mora was not happy with how the running game operated against Stanford. The Bruins ran for just 77 yards, but after watching the game back Mora said "the game plan was as sound as it could be." The problem, he said, was that there were some "enormous" holes that just weren't hit. It appears Bolu Olurunfunmi could be in line for more playing time after averaging 4.6 yards per carry (51 yards on 11 carries). Nate Starks (10 carries, 24 yards) and Soso Jamabo (7 carries, 17 yards) weren't nearly as effective. "You'll still see all three, but you'll see less of two and more of one," Mora said.
Week 5 Pac-12 title heat check: North vs. South
The North is between Stanford and Washington at this point and that debate will be solved when they meet this weekend.
Lamar Jackson and everybody else: #CFBrank through four weeks
After four games, who's the nation's best player? OK, after Lamar Jackson, who fills out the rest of the top 50 guys in the country? Our experts have the answers.
Notes you need to know coming out of Week 4
At the quarter-season mark we have already seen two head coaches and two coordinators relieved of their duties. It is simply too early in the year for all this change.
Bruins trending down in ESPN’s rankings
Our panel believes UCLA is still one of the best two-loss teams in the college football. The Bruins fall to No. 24 after their 22-13 loss to Stanford. Power Rankings: Week 4
Jeremy Crabtree RecruitingNation
Thoughts from SEC assistant after Les Miles' firing: "It'll be open season with LSU's recruits," the coach said. "Their class was so good. It'll be tough to pry some of their in-state guys away, but this will help others go after their out-of-state guys . This could have just changed Dylan Moses' recruitment big time." Moses, a five-star athlete from Bradenton (Florida) IMG Academy, is originally from Louisiana and is considering LSU, Alabama, Miami, Texas and UCLA.
Pac-12 Week 4 Power Rankings: Four Pac-12 teams still undefeated
The top four spots remained unchanged in the Pac-12 power rankings, but Friday's showdown between Washington and Stanford is sure to mix things up.
Pac-12 Week 4 bowl projections: Stanford in line to finally crack the Playoff
Stanford's comeback victory puts it in the projected playoff with a big one against Washington looming on Friday.
Inside Stanford's rally past UCLA (0:42)
Stanford's defense closes out win
Bruins QB Josh Rosen is sacked by Cardinal LB Joey Alfieri, who forces a fumble. DE Solomon Thomas returns it for a 42-yard touchdown. The Cardinal pick up a 22-13 road win over the Bruins.
Stanford's win against UCLA could be key in playoff chase
Stanford's game-winning score with 24 seconds left gives the Cardinal breathing room when it comes to the playoff conversation.
Stanford's road win significant for playoff hopes (1:45)
Stanford continues win streak over UCLA with last-minute TD (1:03)
Sad fans of college football: Week 4 edition (0:28)
David Lombardi ESPN Staff Writer
UCLA coach Jim Mora on Stanford coming through at the end: "They have a reputation for being able to do that, and they did it."
2017 Recruits
| NAME | POS | STATUS | GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaelan Phillips | OLB | Committed | 92 |
| Jimmy Jaggers | TE-Y | Committed | 81 |
| Kanan Ray | OG | Committed | 80 |
| Jaxson Kirkland | OT | Committed | 78 |
| Quentin Lake | S | Committed | 78 |
2016 Pac-12 Standings
| North | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford | 2-0 | 3-0 |
| Washington | 1-0 | 4-0 |
| California | 0-1 | 2-2 |
| Oregon | 0-1 | 2-2 |
| Oregon State | -- | 1-2 |
| Washington State | -- | 1-2 |
| South | CONF | OVR |
| Arizona State | 1-0 | 4-0 |
| Utah | 1-0 | 4-0 |
| Colorado | 1-0 | 3-1 |
| Arizona | 0-1 | 2-2 |
| UCLA | 0-1 | 2-2 |
| USC | 0-2 | 1-3 |
Team Stats
Passing Yards294.526th
Rushing Yards117.8113th
Points For24.0103rd
Points Against22.0Tied-41st
Top Performers 2016
Awards
| YEAR | PLAYER | AWARD |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | K. Fairbairn | Lou Groza Award |
| 2014 | E. Kendricks | Dick Butkus Award |
| 2014 | E. Kendricks | Lott IMPACT Trophy |
| 2013 | A. Barr | Lott IMPACT Trophy |
| 2009 | K. Forbath | Lou Groza Award |