Winning the Shootout.

It's good for BYU fans to see BYU win an offensive shootout this season for more than one reason.  First, off, we know that the Cougar defense is not invincible.  Since the mid 2010 season, the BYU defense, for 11 games every season has been tough, but there has always been that one game where the opponent runs up the score.  In 2011, it was Utah who put up 54 points, and BYU lost 54-10.  Last year, it was Oregon State that found the weak link in BYU's armor.  BYU lost that game too.  Winning a shootout is a sign that the Cougars are improved, at least on offense.

There are two other tests for BYU to prove that this year's team is better than last years.  The first comes this Friday at home against Boise State.  The last two games against the Broncos have been tough, close losses for Bronco's team.  After a bye week, BYU gets to play at Notre Dame.  If BYU wins both of those games, then we can claim progress over last year's team and look forward to next season.

Finally, after watching BYU's game yesterday, I have a feeling that the 2015 Heisman race could be a battle between Taysom Hill and John O'Korn.  Hill, at least, won round 1.  Round 2 is next fall in Provo.

Players of the Week

Arizona 35 Utah 24

Utah POW QB Adam Schultz
Very efficient in coming off the bench for Travis Wilson

Utah State 41 New Mexico 10

USU POW RB Joey DeMartino
144 Yards Rushing

BYU 47 Houston 46

BYU POW QB Taysom Hill
417 Yards Passing, 128 Yards Rushing 4TD Passes

Eastern Washington 34 Southern Utah 10

SUU POW QB Aaron Kantu
Hung tough in the blowout.

Montana State 34 Weber State 16

WSU POW RB Bo Bolen
124 Yards Rushing and 1 TD

Conference Players of the Week

PAC-12
Arizona RB Ka'Deem Carey
236 Yards Rushing and 1 TD vs. Utah

FBS Independent
BYU QB Taysom Hill

MWC
Colorado State RB Kapri Biggs
201 Yards Rushing and 3TDs vs. Wyoming

Big Sky
Northern Arizona RB Zach Bauman
266 Yards Rushing and 2TDs vs. Idaho State

Games of the Week

PAC-12
Arizona 35 Utah 24

FBS Independents
BYU 47 Houston 46

MWC
Boise State 34 Nevada 17
(Closest game in the MWC this week)

Big Sky
Montana 21 Cal Poly 14

Power Rankings

PAC-12

1.  Oregon
2.  Arizona State
3.  Stanford
4.  UCLA
5.  Washington
6.  Oregon State
7.  Arizona
8.  Utah
9.  Washington State
10. USC
11. Colorado
12. California

FBS Independent

1.  Notre Dame
2.  BYU
3.  Navy
4.  Old Dominion
5.  Army
6.  New Mexico State
7.  Idaho

MWC

1.  Fresno State
2.  Boise State
3.  Utah State
4.  San Diego State
5.  Nevada
6.  San Jose State
7.  UNLV
8.  Wyoming
9.  Colorado State
10. Air Force
11. New Mexico
12. Hawaii

Big Sky

1.  Eastern Washington
2.  Montana State
3.  Montana
4.  Northern Arizona
5.  Cal Poly
6.  Southern Utah
7.  Sacramento State
8.  North Dakota
9.  Portland State
10. UC Davis
11. Idaho State
12. Northern Colorado
13. Weber State

Projected Finishes

BYU
Current Record: 5-2
Projected Wins: Idaho State, Nevada, USC (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
Tossup: Boise State
Projected Losses: Notre Dame, Wisconsin
Projected record: 8-5 or 9-4

Utah
Current Record:4-3
Projected Wins: USC, Colorado, Colorado State (New Mexico Bowl)
Tossup: USC, Washington State
Projected Losses: Arizona State, Oregon
Projected Record: 7-6 at worst, 9-4 at best

Utah State
Current Record: 4-4
Projected Wins: Hawaii, UNLV, Colorado State, Wyoming, Navy (Armed Forces Bowl)
Projected Record: 9-4

Southern Utah
Current Record: 5-3
Projected Wins: Idaho State, Weber State
Tossup: Northern Arizona
Projected Loss: Montana State
Projected Finish: 7-5 at worst, 8-4 at best

Weber State
Current Record: 1-7
Tossup: Idaho State
Projected Losses: Portland State, Southern Utah, Montana
Projected Finish: 1-11 at worst, 2-10 at best

QB Power Rankings

I am suspending the rankings this weeks as I do not yet know if Travis Wilson will play against USC.