Around the Pac-12 conference and the nation last weekend, there were some games that impacted the Sun Devils. We’ll take a look at each and hopefully see that ASU’s loss to Stanford is not as bad as many fans believe.

Arizona Schools

To start off, the University of Arizona was on a bye this week. However, one could argue that the Wildcats have had a bye each Saturday so far this season with their weak schedule. Their first real challenge of the season will be this week against Washington.

We all know that ASU got crushed by a better team in Stanford. An early first half deficit was too much for the Devils to overcome in the 42-28 loss. Unfortunately, many voters saw the 23rd ranked team stink it up on the road through the first half. This was ASU’s first conference game and conference loss of 2013.

The team did show tremendous fight in the second half, and if it weren’t for some dropped passes, questionable calls and untimely penalties, this game could have been closer.  

2013 ASU Football

This was without a doubt the Devil’s toughest game of the year, and few analysts saw the Devils beating the 5th ranked team in the country on the road. But if we’ve learned anything in the BCS era, it is that if you are going to lose, lose early.

While this is a conference loss, Stanford is not a competitor in the Pac-12 South. ASU’s right to the conference championship game and a possible rematch with Stanford remains unchanged.

All things considered, the Devil’s upcoming game against USC on Saturday is so much bigger.

California Schools

If you read my preview article last week, you will see that we got exactly what I expected from the Utah State/USC game. It was an ugly game that the Trojans won by a small margin over a feisty Utah State team, 17-14.  

UCLA rolled over New Mexico State 59-13, and we already know about Stanford. Since CAL was idle, the other California schools did what was expected, racking up another couple Pac-12 wins.

Oregon Schools

The #2 ranked Oregon Ducks were off this week, but the Beavers of Oregon State provided enough drama for the entire state.

I predicted this one last week as well. An unprepared or overconfident Beaver team had to score 20 fourth quarter points to comeback and beat San Diego State on the road. This win doesn’t make the Pac-12 look any better, but a loss here would have been bad news for the conference.

Washington Schools

Although they played clearly over-matched programs, both Washington teams posted strong offensive numbers while keeping their opponents off the board. The 17th ranked Huskies crushed Idaho State 56-0 while the Cougars slammed Idaho 42-0.

Each school delivered on expectations, and the Pac achieved a couple more victories.

Utah & Colorado

The  Utes scored a very big win for the conference on Saturday as they took down their rival, BYU, in the “Holy War”. 

While BYU wasn’t ranked, they are a tough non-conference team that had kicked Texas out of the rankings in dominating fashion two weeks earlier. The Utes’ 20-13 win over BYU showed that even a middle of the Pac-12 team is capable of beating a tougher non-conference school.

Other Big Games

Since we are now 4 weeks in to the 2013 season, it’s time to start following more closely the other schools that ASU has played at some point in the season. For example, it’s in the Devil’s best interest for the Wisconsin Badgers to rack up victories over tougher competition on their schedule moving forward.

If Wisconsin captures the BIG-10 Title to go to the Rose Bowl yet again, our victory over the Badgers will carry that much more weight towards the end of the season.

Likewise, we want Notre Dame to beat Oklahoma this weekend so that when we square off with the Irish on October 5th, we’ll have the chance to knock off another higher-ranked opponent. Both the Badgers and Irish won this week so that bodes well for the Devils.

Bottom Line

Many Pac-12 teams played and won their final non-conference games this weekend, and every win is good for the conference.  

Additionally, each win brings a Pac-12 team closer to bowl eligibility. The more teams we get into bowls results in more revenue for the conference and a higher national profile. This translates to better recruits and hopefully more championships for ASU and the conference.