Pac 10 Things We Learned This Week

Quarterback quandaries in Tempe, Los Angeles and Eugene stand out during week 7 of Pac-10 play.

-Rudy Carpenter is hurting Arizona State and his own future
No one can question Carpenter’s toughness, after taking an unceasing beating for the last season and a half.

No one can question Carpenter’s warrior mentality, to the point that it has gotten him into trouble with the nasty defenses of USC and Texas last year.

No one can question Carpenter’s ability, going back to when he led the nation in pass efficiency as a freshman.

The time has come, however, for the fine senior quarterback to sit down. The offensive line cannot protect him and Carpenter’s ankle – which the East Valley Tribune reported is broken – has made him vulnerable to constant abuse from defenders.

He is risking his chance to play on Sundays.

At the same time, the Sun Devils are in serious danger of missing a bowl game. Games against Washington and Washington State still seem like certain wins, with UCLA a tossup at home the day after Thanksgiving. Even if ASU holds serve and takes all three, can a hobbled Carpenter lead them to another win?

Rest him until the trip to Oregon State on Nov. 1 and hope for the best. He has earned it and the team needs it.

-The beatdown goes on
That Carpenter walked off the field of his own accord was a minor miracle given the hits he absorbed from USC.

The Trojans allowed just 229 yards, forced four turnovers and generally set the tempo in an ugly 28-0 snoozer.

Pete Carroll’s defense now ranks in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense, rushing defense, pass defense, pass efficiency defense and tackles for loss.

How they were beaten up by little Jacquizz Rodgers will remain the great mystery of the 2008 season.

-Mark Sanchez wasn’t right after the first 30 minutes
First half: 9 of 16, 143 yards, 1 touchdown

Second half: 4 of 10, 36 yards, 3 interceptions

If he can’t get healthy and consistent and soon, USC will lose another game.

-Cornerback in the saddle again
As if the Trojans defense wasn’t ferocious enough, corner Kevin Thomas had a pick six and a sack in relief of injured starter Shareece Wright (fractured vertebra).

Wright might be the most versatile corner Carroll has with the aggression and physicality to factor in run support, but Thomas is a true lockdown defender. Go look at his play against Limas Sweed on the final drive by Texas in the 2006 Rose Bowl.

Injuries had robbed the redshirt junior of the last two seasons, but Thomas should be a major contributor if Wright misses the rest of the season.

-Justin Roper needs to play for Oregon’s offense to get back on track
If only there was some way to combine Roper’s arm with Jeremiah Masoli’s mobility, then the Ducks would have something.

Unfortunately, in the interim they are left without the dynamic dual-threat capabilities that Dennis Dixon had to propel them into the national title chase last season.

True freshman Darron Thomas and oft-injured Nate Costa have that mix, but coach Mike Bellotti won’t throw in the towel on a potential 10 win season to ready Thomas to take over as starter next year.

Masoli carried the Ducks over UCLA, rushing for 170 yards and a touchdown, but teams are keying on the run game. Jeremiah Johnson was shut down for the second straight week, same for LeGarrette Blount until a 69 yard scoring run in the final three minutes.

Without getting the receivers and tight end Ed Dickson involved, Oregon’s offense will continue to stagnate. Roper is the easiest answer without sacrificing the season.

-Stanford is a rising force
The days of the Cardinal as doormat are long gone. Jim Harbaugh is building a power in Palo Alto, demonstrated by the 24-23 win over Arizona to push Stanford within two wins of bowl eligibility. A consistent ground game behind Toby Gerhart and Anthony Kimble and the senior-laden defense have become the on-field manifestation of Harbaugh’s hard nosed, energetic approach.

Up on the Farm, the biggest concern might just be locking Harbaugh down for the long term.

-Wildcats are the not-ready-for-primetime players
Just when Mike Stoops was getting comfortable and forcing his way off the hot seat, Arizona gets shredded on the ground and allows a third string quarterback to direct the game-winning drive.

Even the veteran offense settled for three short field goals and failed to get star receiver Mike Thomas and tight end Rob Gronkowski consistently involved.

If the ‘Cats stumble against California this week, it wouldn’t be beyond the realm of possibility to see a late swoon that leaves even a bowl bid in doubt.

-Washington State is playing hard, but that’s about all you can say right now
Credit coach Paul Wulff for the continued effort from his team, but the lack of depth and talent becomes more evident every week.

Walk-ons are playing significant minutes because of injuries. The team’s best players, receivers Brandon Gibson and Jeshua Anderson, can’t get the ball because either the quarterback is injured or about to get hurt again.

Kevin Lopina will likely start against the Trojans because Marshall Lobbestael, who started the year as the No. 3 QB, suffered a knee injury in the second half. Lopina already missed three games because of a serious back injury and now faces a USC defense that will unleash hellfire and brimstone.

-USC could put 80 on the board against the Cougs next Saturday
The Trojans offense will be out to prove itself after a pathetic showing against the Sun Devils.

The Cougars defense has allowed 229 points in five conference games.

This one will get ugly.

-The Holiday Bowl could be incredibly embarrassing for the Pac-10
Congratulations, you just finished second in the conference. Your reward is a trip to San Diego to play Texas Tech or Oklahoma State or Texas or Oklahoma or Missouri.

What’s that, you’ll take the berth in the Hawaii Bowl instead?