Pac-12 power rankings Week 1: UCLA, Washington disappoint
By Brad Weiss
The Colorado Buffaloes went on the road in Week 1, and they came away with a blowout win against rival Colorado State. It was a monster game for quarterback Steven Montez, who will not have to split time this season, and looked very comfortable under center all game long against the Rams.
Montez finished his evening with 338 yards and four touchdowns, while also running in for a score. Travon McMillian played very well in place of Phillip Lindsay, who is currently a running back for the Denver Broncos. Lindsay had a remarkable career with the Buffaloes, but McMillian looked great in his first game with Colorado as a graduate transfer, rushing for 100 yards on ten carries with a touchdown.
Laviska Shenault Jr. was the main beneficiary of Montez’s big opener, hauling in 11 receptions for over 200 yards and a score. On the defensive side of the ball, Nate Landman racked up 16 tackles and will need another big game next weekend, as the Buffaloes travel to Nebraska for the Cornhuskers season opener.
The Herm Edwards Era got off to a fast start in the desert, as he led the Arizona State Sun Devils to a 49-7 victory over UTSA in Week 1. Edwards, who left a plush job at ESPN for the Arizona State gig, showed he still has some magic left in him, and he certainly has the horses for the Sun Devils to make a run in the Pac-12 in 2018.
It all starts with the quarterback, and Arizona State has a good one in Manny Wilkins. Entering his third season as the starter for the Sun Devils, Wilkins got right to work on another solid season, throwing for 237 yards and four touchdowns against UTSA. Wilkins was aided by a strong game from running back Eno Benjamin, who not only rushed for 131 yards and a score but also was on the receiving end of one of Wilkins’ touchdown passes.
Known for his defensive mind, Edwards had to have liked what he saw from his defense against UTSA, as they got to the quarterback nine times. Shannon Forman returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown, as the defense played opportunistic football throughout. The Sun Devils have a tough test next week, however, as they welcome Michigan State to the desert.