Best of the West: USC on top as Boise State, Fresno State head to MW title showdown

This is the final 2022 edition of the Best of the West — the final football edition.

Starting next week, the Hotline will publish a basketball version that includes teams from every conference in the western third of the country: Not only the Pac-12 and the Mountain West but the WCC, Big West, Big Sky and WAC, as well.

Any team good enough will be included in the weekly rankings.

Here’s our final football assessment …

1. USC (11-1/ 8-1 Pac-12)
Result: beat Notre Dame 38-27
Next up: vs. Utah (Friday, 5 p.m. on Fox)
Line: USC -3 (total: 68)
Comment: Should the Trojans make the College Football Playoff even if they lose Friday night? We compared their resume to those of Ohio State and Alabama and yes, you can make the case.

2. Washington (10-2/7-2 Pac-12)
Result: won at Washington State 51-33
Comment: We would have loved to see the Huskies and USC duel in Las Vegas. Final score: 60-55, somebody.

3. Utah (9-3/7-2 Pac-12)
Result: won at Colorado 63-21
Next up: vs. USC (Friday, 5 p.m. on Fox)
Line: Utah +3 (total: 68)
Comment: Had the Utes beaten Florida, which finished 3-5 in the SEC East, they would be a lock for the Rose Bowl regardless of the result against USC.

4. Oregon State (9-3/6-3 Pac-12)
Result: beat Oregon 38-34
Comment: If there’s a better assistant in the Pac-12 than Jim Michalczik, who coaches Oregon State’s offensive line, we haven’t found him.

5. Oregon (9-3/7-2 Pac-12)
Result: lost at Oregon State 38-34
Comment: Meanwhile, a defense loaded with blue-chip recruits, coveted transfers and future pros should not rank 98th in the country in yards-per-play allowed.

6. Boise State (9-3/8-0 MW)
Result: beat Utah State 42-23
Next up: vs. Fresno State (1 p.m. on Fox)
Line: Boise State -3.5 (total: 54)
Comment: If Andy Avalos had changed offensive coordinators one week earlier, the Broncos might be in position for a New Year’s Six bowl berth.

7. UCLA (9-3/6-3 Pac-12)
Result: won at Cal 35-28
Comment: Zach Charbonnet had 195 carries this season — that’s too few by 50, in our opinion.

8. Fresno State (8-4/7-1 MW)
Result: beat Wyoming 30-0
Next up: vs. Boise State (1 p.m. on Fox)
Line: Fresno State +3.5 (total: 54)
Comment: Jake Haener since returning from injury: 13 touchdowns, two interceptions, zero losses.

9. Washington State (7-5/4-5 Pac-12)
Result: lost to Washington 51-33
Comment: One of 12 opponents (Washington) accounted for 15 percent of the total yards gained against the Cougars this season (703). Amazing.

10. Brigham Young (7-5)
Result: won at Stanford 35-26
Comment: Alas, you can’t go 5-0 against the Pac-12 every year. Sometimes, 1-1 will have to do.

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