clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Pac-12 conference standings: ASU stands alone atop Pac-12 South, Arizona in last

This isn't exactly what people thought would happen.

By Jess Root
Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire

Five weeks into the college football season and Arizona State Sun Devil fans are thrilled. Their football team beat California in California for the first time since Bruce Snyder was the head coach. The Devils are now 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in conference play.

The Arizona Wildcats, on the other hand, have lost their second straight game, falling to 0-2 in conference play after losing to Oregon and Oregon State in consecutive weeks. They now are 3-2 on the season with one very impressive win over Oklahoma State; however, they are winless in important conference play.

ASU is now alone in first place in the Pac-12 South. Of course, it is early, but the team is light years ahead of any expectations people outside the locker room had for them. Head coach Todd Graham has made his mark and quarterback Taylor Kelly has come out of nowhere to play fantastically thus far. They have played five games and dominated four of them. In the other, they played poorly for three quarters and then had a shot to win it in the final minutes.

In Tucson, things are not as positive. After a fast start, there was talk of keeping up with Oregon State. However, mistakes and lack of execution turned an otherwise close game into a runaway win for the Ducks. The Beavers then stuck it to the Cats in the first half. Arizona would awaken in the second half but their defense could not stop Oregon State in the final quarter.

As a Sun Devil fan, the universe has created the perfect balance for me. ASU is playing well and is in first while the Wildcats sit in the division cellar. If I had my way in the college football world, this is how it would always be.

With more than half the season yet to be played, things could change in a hurry, but looking at how things have gone so far, I am looking forward to the trip to Tucson that the Sun Devils will take. Their physical play on defense and their ability to move the ball on offense gives me hope for what is always the crown jewel of any season -- a win over Arizona.