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Road success leaves coaches lost for explanation
The Pac-12 is home to some large and loud venues: The Coliseum. The Rose Bowl. Autzen Stadium. Husky Stadium.
If there's an intimidation factor that goes along with that, it hasn't been apparent this year. Road teams are all the rage in the Pac-12, with visiting teams accumulating a 14-4 record in conference play this year.
Following back-to-back losses at home, UCLA coach Jim Mora has had a long time to think about why that might be.
"I can't put my finger on anything, I wish I could," he said. "Maybe when you're on the road, you close ranks a little bit, you're on a mission. But that doesn't seem to explain it. If you find out, or someone can give me an answer, give me a call."
Mora isn't the only one searching for answers there. Some coaches, like Utah's Kyle Whittingham, think the statistics will even themselves out. Others are interested to see such a sharp cut against the curve in a league where traditionally the home team has the edge.
"It's been the exact opposite in years past," Arizona State coach Todd Graham said. "I have no idea why that's changed."
The default answer may be the explosive offenses many of the teams in the league have. UCLA's win over Arizona State, Arizona's win over Oregon, and Cal's shootout with Washington State were examples of dominant passing games trumping "home-field advantage."
But the truth is, few coaches really know why the league has been so kind to road teams.
"It's a non-Leap Year," Oregon's Mark Helfrich quipped. "I really have no idea."
Pac-12 taking heat over officiating resignation
Fox Sports' Mike Pereira took the pulpit on Monday over Pac-12 coordinator of officials Tony Corrente resigning abruptly last week, and blamed all sides. While saying Corrente was wrong to hang up the stripes, he accused the Pac-12 of not providing enough support to Corrente, and some coaches of being a little too quick to cry foul.
"They are wildly inconsistent in their complaints," Pereira wrote. "And some voices — like Stanford and Oregon — are much louder than others. Coaches are allowed to send in reports submitting plays to be reviewed by the coordinator. Often, they're meaningless plays that are not fouls."
Stanford coach David Shaw didn't directly respond to the criticisms by Pereira, a former referee himself, but said he thought Corrente did a good job in 31/2 years leading the Pac-12 officals. Officiating lends itself to scrutiny, just like other facets of the game.
"It's an imperfect game played by imperfect people, coached by imperfect people, and officiated by imperfect people," he said. "We have a process by which we can communicate on calls we'd love to get clarification on, and that's been pretty consistent."
Helfrich, Petersen not torn up over rivalry
They're buds. It's no secret. Washington's Chris Petersen and Oregon's Mark Helfrich go back. They both have been ships passing in the night in the coaching world, each with stints at Boise State and with the Ducks. Both are considered great offensive minds in college football.
But that isn't something to be concerned about this week, as Oregon and Washington engage in a heated rivalry. They aren't weighing their friendship as they prepare.
"I don't even think about it like that," Petersen said. "We're playing a really good team and a really good program. You go to compete, play as hard as you can. During the season, we don't really get together as friends. We don't talk to anybody but our players, coaches and our wives. After the season, you get back with your friends."
Added Helfrich: "Our fans we'll be glad that [Chris and I] aren't playing. We have a bunch of talented players we need to prepare for."
Twitter: @kylegoon No. 1 Oregon
Ducks have more mojo, but still some issues
No. 2 USC
A healthy Leonard Williams is a huge plus for D
No. 3 Arizona
Undefeated record was a kick too far
No. 4 Arizona State
Much on the line against Stanford
No. 5 Utah
Still looking for more balance with passing game
No. 6 Stanford
Defense mostly clammed up Halliday, Wazzu
No. 7 UCLA
Hasn't stopped the run in two straight games
No. 8 Washington
Huskies' front four as good as any in Pac-12
No. 9 Oregon State
Offensive line will be tested this week
No. 10 California
Fumble-prone Bears need work on ball security
No. 11 Washington State
Bowl eligibility becoming remote possibility
No. 12 Colorado
Buffs knocking on the door, but need a breakthrough