Pac-12 Football: Five things learned in Week 2

Sep 12, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Tim White (12) runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Cal Poly Mustangs at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

5. Arizona State Is Not Going To The College Football Playoff

It was supposed to be an easy win. A feel good game after the abysmal performance in the opener against Texas A&M. Cal Poly, after all, is a FCS school. The Sun Devil’s were ranked in the top 25 in week 1, so this should be a blowout. Instead, the home team found themselves heading into the fourth quarter tied at 21, with the Mustangs threatening to be yet another FCS school taking down a Pac-12 team.

The Sun Devil defense had trouble stopping the triple-option of Cal Poly, and the Mustangs ran for 284 yards and nearly four yards per carry. The Sun Devil offense sputtered at times as well, coughing up two turnovers and missing a field goal. This kind of performance is completely unacceptable for a team that dreams of reaching the national championship game. The defense was the most alarming disappointment, since that side of the ball at least played well in the opening day loss.

But 21 points and 284 yards rushing to a FCS school is bad. Cal Poly should have been stuffed, with anything more than 0 being considered a bad game for the defense. As for the offense, poor execution and red zone mistakes kept the contest closer than it should have been. The Sun Devils had no problem moving the ball, but often got in their own way when trying to score. Overall, the big takeaway is that this team was just not ready for the kind of pre-season hype heaped upon them.

Kirk Herbstreit is probably groaning every time someone brings up his ASU in the final four prediction.

Next: Washington State Is Not Dead Yet