It was a long shot for UCLA to make the Conference Championship, but it’s all over now. The Pac-12 conference witnessed an action-packed weekend with thrilling matchups that had fans on the edge of their seats. Amidst all the excitement, one game stood out as the biggest upset of the weekend – Arizona’s remarkable victory over UCLA, with a final score of 27-10. This unexpected turn of events left football enthusiasts and pundits alike in awe, as the Wildcats delivered a standout performance that sent shockwaves through the conference. In this article, we’ll dive into the details of this surprising upset and analyze what made it such a defining moment for Arizona.

One of the key factors that contributed to Arizona’s remarkable victory was their impressive defensive performance. The Wildcats’ defense had the Bruins in check throughout the game. They executed a brilliant game plan that stifled UCLA’s offensive efforts. Arizona’s defense was relentless in pressuring the Bruins’ quarterback, disrupting their rhythm and forcing costly turnovers. UCLA struggled to move the ball down the field, largely due to the relentless pressure applied by the Wildcats’ defense. This dominance on the defensive side of the ball played a crucial role in Arizona’s victory.

Photo Cred: The Daily Star

While a strong defensive performance was vital, it’s worth noting that Arizona didn’t just rely on defense alone. They seized every opportunity presented to them and converted those chances into points. The Wildcats’ offense was efficient and effective when it mattered most. They capitalized on turnovers and field position to put up points on the scoreboard, ultimately taking control of the game.

The Wildcats showed their ability to execute their offensive plays with precision, exploiting weaknesses in the Bruins’ defense. This combination of stout defense and resourceful offense made the difference in securing Arizona’s stunning upset victory. This win over UCLA was not just a significant upset. It was a statement win that had a profound impact on the Pac-12 landscape.

It served as a reminder that college football can be unpredictable and even underdogs can rise to the occasion to upset the established order. This triumph also provided a tremendous boost to the Wildcats’ confidence. It showed that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12 and can compete at a high level. Arizona’s coaching staff and players deserve commendation for their preparation, resilience, and execution, as they managed to take down one of the conference’s giants.

Photo Cred: USA Today

As the dust settles on this unexpected outcome, both Arizona and UCLA will now shift their focus to the remainder of the season. The Wildcats will undoubtedly carry the momentum from this win into their upcoming games, seeking to continue their impressive run and make a mark in the Pac-12. On the other hand, UCLA will need to regroup and learn from this defeat. The Bruins still have a lot of potential and can bounce back from this setback. This loss may serve as a wake-up call and drive them to further improve and perform at their best in the games to come.

Arizona’s 27-10 victory over UCLA in the Pac-12 was undoubtedly the biggest upset of the weekend. The Wildcats showcased an exceptional defensive performance and capitalized on their offensive opportunities, proving that they can compete with the conference’s top teams. This win not only shook up the conference but also exemplified the unpredictable nature of college football, where underdogs can rise to the occasion and make their mark. As the season progresses, fans can only wonder what other surprises and upsets may be in store in the ever-enthralling world of college football.

Earlier this week, Pat Shurmur was elevated from a quality control analyst to a co-offensive coordinator role. Shurmur would also be a play-caller for the Buffs’ offense, taking over for Sean Lewis after eight weeks. It’s safe to say the Shurmur experiment isn’t off to a great start… A new voice calling the shots wasn’t enough to dig Colorado out of their recent rut on Saturday, as they struggled to move the ball and eventually fell to Oregon State 26-19.

“This is hard. This is hard,” head coach Deion Sanders said postgame. “The reason it’s so hard is because you know you’re capable of doing better, playing better, performing better, calling better games, coaching better on my behalf. And you are coming up short when you have enough to get the job done. And it’s painful.”

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Colorado limped through the first half, mustering just 52 total yards of offense through the first two quarters. They just managed three points on a drive that started at the Beavers’ 19-yard line after a turnover. Perhaps the ugliest rendition of the Buffs’ offense came on their last series of downs before the half. Starting from their own four-yard line with just 49 seconds until intermission and facing a 7-3 deficit, Colorado started their drive by throwing two incomplete passes before finally running the ball on third down. As a result, Colorado punted it back to Oregon State with 22 seconds to go, giving the Beavers the ball with good field position. They wasted no time, capitalizing with a DJ Uiagalelei touchdown pass to Deshaun Fenwick on the first play following the punt.

“Right before the half, we wanted to get out of there because we knew we were receiving the ball in the second half,” Sanders said. “So the plan was to either get a first down and try to go or if we don’t, we’re not successful on first down, okay, let’s hit the clock. Let’s hit the clock. We had a drop, I think we maybe had one or two dropped passes on that series which is very unfortunate, then they get a tremendous return.”

That seven-point swing proved to be massive in a game decided by just one score in the end. The Colorado offense finally got something going in the fourth quarter, scoring touchdowns to cut the deficit back to just seven. However, the physical Oregon State offensive line and strong running game milked the rest of the clock. It was just too little, too late for the Buffs. Shedeur Sanders struggled a little more than usual in this one and was clearly battling through the pain throughout the night. Overall, the Colorado signal caller finished 24-for-39 with 245 yards and two late touchdowns.

Photo Cred: SI

“I mean, shoot, he’s been hurt,” said Deion Sanders of his son and quarterback. “I think he went in to get an injection so he could finish (the game). So, it’s extraordinary. The kid is tough. He’s tough. He’s fighting through it, and he doesn’t make any excuses. He wasn’t raised like that. We’re not making any excuses. We don’t do that.”

The Buffaloes’ refusal to run the ball and struggling on the rare occasion they tried to was a big storyline in this one yet again. Colorado finished the game with -7 rushing yards, leaving the offense vulnerable and predictable again. Travis Hunter starred as a receiver, reeling in eight passes for 98 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Overall, it was the defense that shined for Colorado, forcing two first half turnovers and keeping CU in the game for long stretches while the offense was in the mud.

“Those guys are coming along well, and I’m truly proud of them,” Sanders said of his defense. “But it’s always one play here and there that causes you to sit in this seat and have this mood that I have right now.”

Photo Cred: Washington Post

On the Oregon State side, Uiagalelei finished 12-for-24 with 223 yards and the crucial touchdown before halftime. The Beavers established themselves on the ground early and often in this one. Running back Damien Martinez racked up 115 rushing yards on 21 carries. This loss marks three in a row for Colorado and five out of their last six as they fall to just 4-5 on the year, with bowl eligibility looking unlikely in year one of the Coach Prime era. They cap off their home slate next weekend against red-hot Arizona, who comes in after defeating three straight ranked opponents. Kick-off next Saturday will be at noon MST.