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Hey, "College GameDay" — you missed out on this generation's Woodstock.
At least that's Mike Leach's perspective on Pullman, Wash., which is buzzing this week as Washington State prepares to take on Stanford in a game with Pac-12 North implications. The Cardinal stand to take control of the division with a win, while the Cougars could assert themselves as contenders by defending home turf.
Even though ESPN's flagship program passed over Washington State for Independence Hall and Philadelphia for Saturday's Notre Dame-Temple game, Leach thinks Martin Stadium and the tailgating atmosphere there speaks for itself.
"It's probably on the scale of Woodstock as far as being a historic event where people gather," he said, tongue planted seemingly in cheek. "It's a statement for our generation, I think."
Saturday's game between Stanford and Washington State may not have the same historic gravitas as Woodstock, but it's a big one. And it's probably far more important than most thought it would be after Week 1, when both schools were reeling from season-opening losses.
Stanford fell at Northwestern, a defeat that has improved almost weekly, since the Wildcats have gone 6-2. The Cougars led off with a loss to Portland State at home, which was then considered a harbinger of doom for WSU. But the 6-1 Vikings have since gone on to become one of the top teams in FCS.
Now Stanford has won six straight, WSU has won three straight and both teams are seen in a different light. Cardinal coach David Shaw said even after WSU lost to an FCS team, he didn't quite count it out.
"It surprised me a little bit — it didn't completely shock me," he said. "Just like us, every week Washington State has gotten better, and better, and better."
Parity a problem?
With Utah falling this week, the last of the undefeated Pac-12 teams was humbled. Now, the conference doesn't have a top-5 squad, with Stanford and the Utes looking on the outside of a College Football Playoff spot with just over a month to go in the season.
If either the Cardinal or the Utes win out, they'd have a good chance to get a berth. But if the Pac-12 has a two-loss champion? Most believe all bets are off for the conference getting to the CFP.
There was some angst about that issue on Tuesday's conference call. Oregon's Mark Helfrich said even good teams in the conference are going to take losses based on the nine-game league schedule (other conferences play eight league games) and the parity of the Pac-12. He implied that not all conferences are held to the same standard.
"In our conference at least," Helfrich said, "parity equals weakness."
Cal, USC QB duel
Things haven't been going spectacularly for the Golden Bears since they started the season 5-0. But they hope to turn things around this weekend when they host a suddenly sizzling USC team that just knocked off No. 3 Utah.
What Trojans interim head coach Clay Helton sees as the big draw of the game is two of the league's top quarterbacks, Jared Goff and Cody Kessler, having an opportunity to square off. Goff is second (323.2 ypg) and Kessler is third (297.4 ypg) in passing yards this year behind WSU's Luke Falk. Goff has thrown 20 touchdowns, while Kessler has thrown 18.
Helton loves his own senior starter, but said he's kept an eye on Goff since he was in high school.
"Unbelievable anticipatory thrower, he throws guys open," Helton said. "He has no fear. It'll be fun on Saturday. We've got two NFL quarterbacks on the field."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Tribune Power Rankings
1. Stanford • McCaffrey's Heisman campaign has real legs
2. Utah • Passing game struggles again the Achilles' heel
3. USC • Clearly on the rise, but has to prove consistency
4. UCLA • Fate rests on if Rosen can keep playing well
5. Arizona State • Big opportunities still loom for Sun Devils
6. Washington State • Falk has 11 TDs in past two games
7. Oregon • Adams' improving health gives Ducks hope
8. Cal • Offensive line struggles neutralizing Goff's ability
9. Washington • Stanford shows Huskies not ready for prime time
10. Arizona • No breaks in schedule brutal for Wildcats
11. Colorado • Win shows Buffs aren't worst Pac-12 team
12. Oregon State • QB inconsistency slowing the rebuild