We’re officially passed the midway point in the 2023 campaign, and now we’re getting some clarity.

On a day when both Oregon and USC fell from the ranks of the unbeaten, Washington seized control of the Pac-12 and Michael Penix Jr. seized control of the Heisman race.

Here’s one thing I learned from every Pac-12 team in Week 7 (Arizona State had a bye) …

Arizona: Wildcats stop a big step in big win over Cougars

How does that old adage go?

First you lose big, then you lose little, then you win little, then you win big?

The Arizona Wildcats are intimately familiar with the first category, and they got a much closer understanding of the 2nd category in back-to-back heartbreaking losses to Washington and USC (in triple overtime) the past 2 weeks.

But they skipped that third category entirely on Saturday in a program-changing 44-6 win at Washington State.

This wasn’t a ho-hum win. This was a woodshedding that proved the Cats are for real for real.

“So excited about our offense, excited about our defense, excited about our kicking game,” Jedd Fisch said after the game. “And, more importantly, we as a staff we’re excited about the direction of our program. We know that we’re in a spot right now where Arizona football has gotten to a spot where now we’re competing with everybody in the country.”

Cal: The curious tale of Jaydn Ott’s usage continues

Cal offensive coordinator Jake Spavital just can’t seem to decide if Ott is his bell-cow or not. Ott, who entered the game as the Pac-12’s leading rusher, had just 8 carries, though he earned 46 yards for a 5.8 YPC clip.

Sure the game unfolds in weird ways, but how do you not feed Ott the rock? He did have a season-high 48 receiving yards, but 10 touches is entirely too few.

Colorado: Pass defense exposed in embarrassing loss

The lasting image of Colorado’s epic collapse Friday night will be be Travis Hunter flailing in vain as Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor snagged a touchdown basically off his back.

But the Buffaloes’ pass defense struggles extended much further than one play.

Against an offense that has sputtered through the air all year, Colorado had zero picks — it entered the game with a league-leading 8 — and allowed nearly 400 passing yards, including 294 and 3 scores to Ayomanor alone.

That’s how you blow a 29-0 lead and lose.

Oregon: Receiving corps shines in close loss at Washington

Facing two-thirds of arguably the best trio of targets in the country with Huskies star wideout Jalen McMillan sidelined, Oregon countered with its retooled receiving corps.

And the Ducks’ T-T-T-T line largely delivered.

Oregon’s Troy Franklin, Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden combined for 27 catches for 241 yards and a score. Tight end Terrance Ferguson even got in on the act with 5 grabs for 50 yards.

Oregon State: Passing game clicks against vaunted Bruins

Facing an impressive UCLA defense coming off a sound thrashing of Washington State, the Beavers had their ears perked at one could have been an onslaught.

Instead the Oregon State largely withstood the pressure from a talented front seven, allowing DJ Uiagalelei to do work. Uiagalelei passed for 266 yards and 2 scores in the win, and his backup, Aiden Chiles even got in the mix, completing both of this pass attempts for 16 yards and a score.

Stanford: Troy Taylor’s offense takes flight in second half

We’ve been waiting to see when Troy Taylor would make his stamp on the Stanford offense.

Well, consider it signed, sealed and delivered after Stanford rallied for a 46-43 win in double overtime at Colorado.

Ashton Daniels had an incredible 396 yards and 4 touchdowns after entering Friday’s matchup with Colorado with just 561 yards and 3 scores on the year.

And this, against a Deion Sanders-led defensive backfield. Now that’s the Prime Effect.

UCLA: Dante Moore regresses in loss

Just when Chip Kelly needed Dante Moore to take another step forward in his development, the 5-star QB took a step back. Coming off his first multi-interception game as a college quarterback, albeit in a pivotal win over a ranked Wazzu squad, Moore was picked 3 times by the Oregon State defense in 36-24 loss.

Moore was also sacked 5 times and completed just 42.4% of his passes.

A freshman moment is one thing. This was something entirely different. The Beavers stepped up big time while the Bruins will rue a missed opportunity.

USC: Pass rush falls apart against Fighting Irish

Not much went right for USC in it’s shocking 48-20 loss at Notre Dame on Saturday, but one thing in particular went wrong.

The Trojans, who entered the game with a league-leading 22 sacks, had zero against the Irish. Worse, they had just 1 tackle for loss.

That lifted the Irish to the big win, even though they managed just 251 yards and 13 first downs. Caleb Williams’ 3 picks sure helped, too.

Utah: The next star 2-way Ute takes center stage against Bears

Down to considering Kyle Whittingham for starting running back, Utah turned to starting safety Sione Vaki to give the offense a different look.

And what a look it was.

Vaki had 158 yards and 2 scores on 15 carries, helping the Utes run for more than 300 yards.

Washington: Huskies turn to veteran new face

With star wideout Jalen McMillan out for much of the Huskies win over the Ducks, Michael Penix Jr. was in need of one more receiver to join the talented triumvirate along with Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk.

Washington fans probably didn’t expect to see former Michigan reliever Giles Jackson step into McMillan’s shoes. Just a month ago, Jackson wasn’t even practicing, courtesy of a hand/wrist injury that kept him sidelined since the start of the year.

Jackson made his season debut and grabbed 6 passes for 58 yards and the game’s first touchdown.

“It’s energy,” coach Kalen DeBoer said. “He’s such a team player. Our guys love him and it was really special to see him come back and have the day he had today.”

Washington State: Offense clearly in a funk

If it was a September to remember for Cameron Ward, it’s been an October to never, ever think about again. After struggling against UCLA last weekend and throwing his first 2 interceptions of the year, Ward was again ineffective, throwing for 192 yards and a kick with no scores in an embarrassing 44-6 home loss to Arizona.

But it wasn’t just Ward who struggled.

The Washington State ground game is officially stuck in neutral. One week after managing just 12 team yards on the ground, the Cougars racked up just 35. Entering the game, Wazzu was averaging just 103.6 rushing yards per game, 117th in the country. This won’t help their cause.

“We’ve got to find some answers,” Washington State coach Jake Dickert said after the game. “Obviously, the main answer is running the football, being physical, and getting to the point of attack.”