UCLA Football: 3 Takeaways from Week 9 loss to Washington

UCLA football needed a win stay in the Pac-12 South race while the Huskies hoped to maintain Playoff hopes. Here are three takeaways from their Week 9 game.

Washington fell from the ranks of the unbeaten two weeks ago when they were upset by Arizona State on the road in Week 7. After a bye week to regroup the Huskies came out strong, dominating the UCLA Bruins in an afternoon win.

With the loss, UCLA falls to 0-4 in Pac-12 play. Jim Mora’s hot seat is continuing to get hotter and their hot start has fizzled into a rather bleak midseason state.

What did we learn from Washington’s win over UCLA in Week 9?

3. The Huskies are the Pac-12’s best chance at a Playoff bid

Clemson proved a year ago that one bad loss does not disqualify you from the College Football Playoff. Their upset at the hands of Pitt knocked them down a few spots in the rankings, but when it was all said and done the Tigers earned a spot in the top four.

Washington finds themselves in a similar spot following their loss to Arizona State. Their margin for error is gone, but they have a manageable schedule going forward. It’s challenging enough to earn them another resume-building win or two (at Stanford, vs. Washington State). But at the same time, the Huskies should be favorites to win all of their remaining contests.

With USC falling off the Pac-12 is running out of chances. The late surges from Arizona and Arizona State only make the conference all the more dangerous. Other than Washington, Washington State looks to have the best chance to make the Playoff. The Huskies host the Apple Cup this year. That might be the tipping point for the Pac-12’s Playoff hopes.