Pac-12 Football: Washington takes over top spot out West

The Buffaloes continue to look like a legit threat to compete for the Pac-12 title, as they are coming off a 38-16 victory vs. Colorado.

Laviska Shenault Jr. kept his early-season Heisman campaign going strong, hauling in 12 passes for 126 yards and a score. He has recorded games of 11, 10, 5 and 12 for receptions this year, and has racked up 581 yards receiving.

Shenault ranks first in the nation in receptions (38), yards and yards per game (145.3), sitting seventh at 15.3 per catch.

Thanks in large part to his connection with Shenault, Steven Montez is having another amazing season, averaging 273 yards passing per game with nine touchdowns.

Colorado ranks second in the league with 489.8 yards of total offense per game and are also second with 40 points per – behind only Oregon in both categories.

The Buffaloes have a key three-game stretch on the horizon starting with Arizona State this Saturday before road games at USC and Washington.

Any lingering effects of an overtime loss to Stanford two weeks ago were wiped clean off the slate by Oregon this past weekend with a commanding 42-24 victory over California.

Justin Herbert threw for 225 yards and Travis Dye had his best game, as the freshman ran for 115 yards after totaling just 138 in the previous four games.

Behind Herbert and company, Oregon ranks first in the Pac-12 at 45.6 points per game and 503.6 yards. The defense has been solid, allowing 24 points and 347 yards, with 15 sacks and a league-high three defensive touchdowns.

Herbert ranks behind only Washington State’s Gardner Minshew, averaging 282 yards per game with 15 touchdown passes.

The Ducks now prepare for two games with Washington and Washington State.