Trent Bray currently holds the position of defensive coordinator at Oregon State, playing a crucial role in orchestrating the Beavers’ defensive resurgence since taking on the role in the latter part of the 2021 season. Prior to assuming the responsibilities of defensive coordinator, Bray served as the linebackers coach for the Beavers for three seasons. With a strong connection to Corvallis as a dedicated Oregon State alumnus, Bray mirrors the commitment demonstrated by Coach Jonathan Smith. His hiring would not only bring stability but also contribute to retaining a wealth of talent, ensuring a seamless continuation of Smith’s successful foundation with minimal disruption.

Photo Cred: Oregon State

Bronco Mendenhall, the former head coach at BYU and Virginia, had previously worked as an assistant at Oregon State from 1995-96. Although Mendenhall stepped down as Virginia’s coach after the 2021 season, his name has been circulating in coaching searches over the past two years, hinting at a potential return to the coaching scene. Mendenhall boasts an impressive coaching record of 135-81, with notable stints at BYU (2005-15) and Virginia (2016-21).

Photo Cred: ESPN

Bryan Harsin, the former head coach at Auburn and Boise State, recently faced dismissal from Auburn after only 21 games. With an overall coaching record of 85-36, including his time at Boise State, there is speculation about his potential candidacy for the coaching position at Boise State. However, if he doesn’t secure that role, a return to the Pacific Northwest with Oregon State could be a viable and worthwhile option to consider.

Photo Cred: SI

The No. 6 Oregon Ducks convincingly triumphed over their arch-rivals, No. 16 Oregon State, in what marks the final Pac-12 showdown between the two teams. As the game concluded, so did a tradition dating back to 1894. The dissolution of the Pac-12, with Oregon and Oregon State among the programs departing the conference, leaves the future of this historic rivalry uncertain.

Turning to the game itself, one could argue that the dominance Oregon displayed against Oregon State wasn’t fully reflected in the final score. The Ducks initiated the game with an impressive 88-yard drive lasting nearly nine minutes, culminating in a touchdown. This set the tone for the remainder of the game, as Oregon consistently punished the Beavers with prolonged offensive possessions that significantly fatigued the OSU defense. The Ducks didn’t even punt until the fourth quarter, when the game was firmly in their control.

Photo Cred: Oregon Live

Bo Nix delivered another Heisman-worthy performance, amassing 367 yards passing and three total touchdowns. Assisting Nix were star receivers Tez Johnson and Troy Franklin, finishing with 137 and 128 yards respectively. While the Ducks’ offense was impressive, significant credit is due to their defense. They compelled Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei to throw two interceptions, one in the end zone on a crucial play that could have shifted the momentum of the game.

Equally effective was their containment of the Beavers’ formidable running duo of Uiagalelei and Damien Martinez. Martinez, who entered the game averaging an impressive 104.3 yards, concluded with only 38 yards. Meanwhile, Uiagalelei rushed for a mere 13 yards. Oregon State finished with only 53 rushing yards and 273 total yards compared to Oregon’s 480.

Photo Cred: SI

With this victory, the Ducks have secured their spot in the Pac-12 championship game in Vegas, setting up a rematch with Michael Penix Jr. and the Washington Huskies. The Huskies are the only team to hand the Ducks a loss this season in a thrilling game in Seattle. Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith has already accepted a position at Michigan State for the next season, signaling the Beavers’ imminent search for a new head coach.

In the final game of year one under Deion Sanders, the Colorado Buffaloes’ late-season struggles continued. They dropped their sixth straight game, this one against Utah by a score of 23-17. The loss drops the Buffs to 4-8, ending their season two games short of bowl eligibility and turning Colorado’s attention to the offseason in Boulder.

“They won. They did a great job,” Deion Sanders postgame. “On to the next. Thank God we got out of there with maybe one injury. I believe from our center. Other than that, I think we got out of there pretty uninjured. But it’s time to start projecting and thinking about tomorrow already.”

The Buffs were operating without star quarterback Shedeur Sanders in this one, who missed the season finale due to a multitude of injuries that he suffered in last week’s blowout loss against Washington State. Instead, it was the first start for the freshman backup Ryan Staub, who impressed against a stingy Utah defense. Staub rebounded from an early turnover to lead the Buffaloes down the field in the second quarter, and Pat Shurmur dialed up a double pass to get Colorado on the board. Staub flipped a quick pass out to Jimmy Horn Jr., who then found running back Dylan Edwards downfield for the 30-yard score to cut the Utah lead down to just three, 10-7.

Photo Cred: CU

The teams traded field goals before halftime, but the Buffs arguably should’ve taken the lead multiple times on their final drive of the opening half. After Travis Hunter was ruled out of bounds on a catch and run that would’ve gone for a score, he made a diving catch in the end zone on a beautiful ball from Staub to temporarily put the Buffaloes in front. The catch was overturned on review, and Colorado settled for three instead. On the other side, the Utes were operating with an inexperienced quarterback, as junior Luke Bottari stepped under center not only to make his first FBS start but to take his first FBS snaps as well. The game plan for Kyle Whittingham and the Utes was simple. They ran the ball, controlled the clock, and allowed Bottari to make easy throws.

“They ate up the clock, it was our thought process that we could control the clock and keep them off the field,” Sanders said. “They kept the ball for almost 40 minutes, which is astounding. Well coached, executed well, ran the ball down our dern throats.”

In the third quarter, that plan really started to pay off to perfection. Utah started the second half with a methodical touchdown drive on their first series to push the lead back to 10, 20-10. Former Buffs kicker Cole Becker tacked on another field goal to go up 13, and it looked like the Utes would be able to salt the game away. However, Staub and the Buffs weren’t done fighting yet. The freshman signal-caller marched Colorado down the field and found Hunter over the middle for an 18-yard score to bring the Buffaloes back within six. However, the Utes were too much for Colorado to handle up front.

Photo Cred: CU

Staub and the Colorado offense would never see the ball again after Hunter’s touchdown with 7:31, as Utah continued to move the chains and milk the clock until there was no time left. Staub was composed all afternoon, regrouping after the opening turnover and putting together an efficient day, finishing 17-for-24 with 195 yards and a score. He played on time, made life easier for his offensive line, was accurate, and protected the football at the first start of his career.

“He refocused and recalibrated himself (after the first drive),” Sanders said. “I’m proud of Staub. I really am proud of this young man. You have no idea the leaps and bounds that he’s made because I’ve been there every day at practice. So, it was phenomenal. It was phenomenal. Proud of him.”

Hunter eclipsed 100 yards receiving, and Edwards’ touchdown was his first since scoring four times against TCU in the season opener. The Buffs still struggled to run the ball in this one, despite having some success to start the game, finishing with just 37 yards on the ground (21 in the first quarter). Bottari was asked to throw 10 passes all game but capped off two drives with rushing touchdowns. Utah dominated the running game and the time of possession battle, finishing with 268 yards on the ground and possessing the ball for over 39 minutes. The Buffaloes now turn to another offseason that will be full of departures and new arrivals as Deion Sanders attempts to upgrade the Colorado roster as they transition into the Big 12.

USC’s regular season ended on a disappointing note with a 38-20 loss to UCLA in the latest installment of the crosstown rivalry. While a bowl game awaits, it’s unlikely to reshape perceptions of the overall season. Reflecting on the 2023 regular season, it’s clear that the program underwent a staggering decline in the latter half of the year.

The 2023 Cotton Bowl emerged as a crucial moment that would typically lead a head coach to reconsider strategies. Watching Tulane score 16 points in the final five minutes, transforming a seemingly secure 45-30 victory into a shocking 46-45 defeat, should have prompted Lincoln Riley to part ways with Alex Grinch immediately and commence a search for a new defensive coordinator. While he’s considered one of the best offensive gurus and quarterback whisperers in college football today, sometimes change is needed.

Photo Cred: USC

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to do what’s right for the program,” Riley said, via The Athletic. “I would never take anything off the table. So that’s something I’ve thought about from time to time. That’s also a piece of the puzzle in terms of who you hire, the other staff members that you have, where the program is at at certain points.” 

Despite Caleb Williams returning for another season and the presence of other talented players on the USC roster, Riley seemed to overlook the unique opportunity the Trojans had. Choosing to retain Grinch for a second year was rationalized by the desire for continuity, considering USC’s success in Year 1 under Grinch’s system. While understandable, it proved to be an imprudent decision.

Photo Cred: LA Times

Riley’s substantial investment in Alex Grinch resulted in significant losses. Now faced with the challenge of finding a new defensive coordinator, Riley must contemplate broader staffing changes and reconsider the overall approach to running the program. The Cotton Bowl should have been a wakeup call, but Riley persisted with Grinch. Perhaps the recent loss to UCLA will finally prompt him to acknowledge the necessity for substantial changes in his coaching strategies. As discussions about the Cotton Bowl persist, Riley’s career finds itself at a crossroads, underscoring the urgency for him to reassess and adapt for future success.