Conference Review: PAC 12

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With college football in full swing, we’ll be bringing you a review of the “Big Five” conferences each and every week. These recaps will feature sections for “Premier Conference Performer,” “Rising Players,” “Falling Players,” and a special Freshman spotlight. These weekly reviews will keep you up-to-date on all the happenings in devy leagues and allow you to keep tabs on future dynasty league assets. By the time the NFL Draft rolls around, you won’t see too many strangers.

Premier Conference Performer

Nelson Agholor, WR USC
Eight receptions for 220 yards and one touchdown, one punt return touchdown

Agholor looked like the dominating player USC needed him to be coming into this season. That’s not to say he’s been underwhelming, I just feel the Trojans expected more from him given the wide receivers who preceded him in recent years. Nonetheless, Agholor absolutely destroyed Washington State, posting a punt return touchdown the first time he even touched the ball on Saturday. Agholor didn’t stop there as he compiled eight catches for 220 yards, including an 87-yard reception that went for a touchdown. If Agholor can keep his recent hot streak going, he may decide to declare for the NFL Draft at the conclusion of this season.

Rising

Cody Kessler, QB USC
21 completions for 400 yards and five touchdowns

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Kessler was featured in this piece two weeks ago when he threw for seven touchdowns in one game and while this week’s performance wasn’t quite on that level, it was quite amazing on its own merits. Kessler dismantled the Washington State defense to the tune of 21 completions for 400 passing yards and five touchdowns. While Kessler started out the season a bit shaky, he seems to be growing into his role and really getting a feel for what it takes to succeed at this level. The effort on Saturday was special for Kessler as it marked a career high for the junior quarterback in passing yards. While Kessler seems to be heating up as of late, I fully expect him to return to USC next year in an effort to build on what the program has achieved thus far this season.

Shaq Thompson, RB Washington
15 rushes for 175 yards and one touchdown, two receptions for 41 yards

Thompson, the high motor phenom who plays on both sides of the ball, had a great night against Colorado rushing for 175 yards on 15 carries and adding a touchdown as well. Thompson was nearly unstoppable on the ground, but he also had a very nice 41-yard reception that set up the Huskies to score add another touchdown. Thompson looks like a prospect to keep an eye on in devy leagues as the jury is still out on whether he will return to Washington for his Senior season or test the NFL Draft. If I had his ear, I’d strongly encourage him to return and make a full season show at running back. Helck, he may even be considered for the Heisman Trophy next year if he keeps up the tear he’s been on as of late.

Falling

Connor Halliday, QB Washington State
Six completions for 40 yards

Let me state right away this has mention has nothing to do with the statistics I have listed above, nothing at all. Those statistics are misleading as Halliday was injured in the game and it appears as if his season, and career, at Washington State are now over. Halliday is reported to have broken his leg in the first quarter versus USC and had to immediately undergo surgery in an attempt to repair the injury. I have Halliday here strictly, strictly because the injury may hurt his draft position as he may have problems performing at the NFL Combine or his Pro Day. I’m hoping this isn’t the case and that the immediate surgery will help him recover and rehab faster, but the schedule is likely to be tight. This incredible player deserves a chance to show NFL teams what he’s got, but the injury definitely hurts his perceived value if nothing else. I fully believe that if an NFL team takes a chance on Halliday, they will be getting a steal and be reaping the benefits of for years to come.

Anu Soloman, QB Arizona
18 completions for 175 yards and one touchdown

Soloman has been a welcome addition to the Arizona Wildcats team this season, throwing for over 2,600 yards and 21 touchdowns. With those stats, it’s safe to say he’s been a revelation for the rejuvenated Wildcats. However, one has to remember he is a freshman after all and he’s going to have some bad games. Unfortunately for Arizona, he chose a really bad time in which to have one of those down games on Saturday against UCLA. Soloman had a career low 175 passing yards against a tough defense. Additionally, his quarterback rating was below 100 for the first time this year coming in at 70.8, roughly 40 points lower than his second worst performance. On face value, 18 completions doesn’t seem so bad. However, when taken in context of the fact he attempted 48 passes, it looks really bad. Soloman finished the night with a completion percentage of just 37.5% and his longest completion clocking in at 17 yards. It’s safe to say the freshman has some work to do in order to make sure he doesn’t have another performance similar to this in the near future.

Freshman Spotlight

Royce Freeman, RB Oregon
19 rushes for 98 yards

Freeman is appearing for the second straight time in this series with yet another dominating rushing performance. Freeman failed to score and add to his PAC-12 leading 13 rushing touchdowns in this outing, but he did post 150 total yards on 22 touches. He put his team on his shoulders en route to a 45-16 thrashing of fellow perennial PAC-12 heavyweight Stanford, which is a lot to ask of any freshman. Freeman’s performance on Saturday helps solidify him as one of the hottest freshman, not to mention players in general, to watch in the nation. His talent has be a great asset to Oregon as they fight to keep in the hunt for a National Championship Playoff berth. As I mentioned two weeks ago, if you can add devy players during the season in your league, you must get him immediately or work out a trade to obtain him, you won’t be sorry in two to three years.

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