Pac-12 football power rankings: Washington, Utah still atop power poll; Colorado climbs
- Updated
The Star sports staff rates the conference's teams 1-12 heading into the eighth weekend of 2016.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Welcome to another edition of Pac-12 Power Rankings.
We’re eight weeks into the season and ... it’s still, really, just Washington and then everyone else. When was the last time Stanford was this much of an afterthought?
To think two years ago Arizona and Oregon battled in the Pac-12 Championship game, and now they’re both at the bottom of these rankings.
Wild in the West.
Anyway, as always, these rankings are voted on by the Star’s three-man panel of Jon Gold, Zack Rosenblatt and Michael Lev. Rosenblatt is on the commentary this week.
Enjoy.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Oregon State (3:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: This is and has been unanimous for weeks, and, barring some unforeseen craziness, will probably be unanimous for the duration of this season. In a down year for the Pac-12, Washington is its saving grace and its only shot at the College Football Playoff. Saturday's opponent, Oregon State, is no pushover anymore.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Oregon State 19-14
This week: at UCLA (1 p.m., Fox)
Comment: The reality is, 6-1 is nothing to scoff at, particularly with the irregularity of this Pac-12 season, but the Utes are an ugly 6-1. Utah quarterback Troy Williams only passed for 42 yards against the Beavers last week. Arizona's third-string tight end Matt Morin — who played quarterback for the Wildcats in the second half last week — threw for more against USC. The Utes' offense is an issue, but as long as they keep winning, all is good. Jon Gold is not convinced — he has Utah at four, behind Stanford and USC, who the Utes beat earlier this season.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Arizona State 40-16
This week: at Stanford (Noon, Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: This is where things start to get volatile in our rankings with disagreements galore. Lev had the Buffs at No. 3, I had them at No. 4 and Gold at No. 5. With a win this week at Stanford, it should be safe to assume that even Gold will be convinced of Colorado’s aptitude.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Notre Dame 17-10
This week: vs. Colorado (Noon, Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Gold seems to be holding out hope that Stanford figures things out, while Lev and I wildly disagree. Gold has Stanford at No. 2 (what???????) whereas we have them all the way back at No. 6. I’m just not buying them as the Stanford we’re all used to anymore. Sure, the Cardinal beat Notre Dame without Christian McCaffrey, and have a chance in any game with him in the fold, but that’s an Irish team in a down year. A winning streak the next two weeks against Colorado (at home) and at Arizona, which is a Pac-12 bottom dweller this year, still won’t sway me. Not your father’s Stanford. Sorry.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated UCLA 27-21
This week: at Arizona State (7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Another case of where Gold seems to be watching different football than Lev and myself, although this one might be a little more defensible if you consider the Cougars lost to an FCS program (Eastern Washington) for the second straight year. Gold has the Fighting Mike Leaches at No. 6, I have them all the way up at No. 3 and Lev evens it out by placing them at No. 4. My reasoning: Every year, Leach’s Washington State teams start slow and finish big. In my opinion, the Cougars might be the only team closely resembling a legitimate threat to Washington’s Pac-12 North throne.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Arizona 48-14
This week: Bye
Comment: The panel’s opinions on USC vary — I have them at 6, Lev 5, Gold 3 — but we all are in agreement that the Trojans are back on the rise, perhaps even enough to save Clay Helton’s job. If USC keeps playing the way it has the last few weeks, provided it doesn’t end the season in a tie atop the Pac-12 South standings with Utah — the Utes hold the tiebreaker after winning their matchup with the Trojans — I don’t think it would shock anyone if USC wound up facing Washington in the conference championship.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Lost to Colorado 40-16
This week: vs. Washington State (7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: We all were skeptical of Arizona State’s legitimacy in the South, and our skepticism proved warranted after the Sun Devils’ debacle of a performance against Colorado. ASU was one of just three unanimous rankings this week, along with Washington at No. 1 and Cal further down in the rankings. With their upcoming schedule — Washington State, Oregon, Utah, Washington — there’s a legitimate scenario where the Sun Devils head into the Territorial Cup still seeking bowl eligibility.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Lost to Washington State 27-21
This week: vs. Utah (1 p.m., Fox)
Comment: Man, were we all wrong about the Bruins. The UCLA running game has been ghastly, prompting former Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel (a personal favorite in terms of personality) to call Jim Mora out for trying to be like Stanford on offense, without the personnel. Hard to argue with that, and it certainly doesn’t help to have an injured Josh Rosen. Don’t be surprised if the Bruins continue a free fall down these rankings next week. Question: Is Mora on the hot seat yet?
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Lost to Utah 19-14
This week: at Washington (3:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Gold doesn’t seem convinced by Oregon State. (I sense a recurring theme here. I think he just doesn’t like Lev and I). Gold had the upstart Beavers way back at No. 11, while Lev and I had them at No. 9. The fact is, they beat Cal, nearly beat Utah and just have generally appeared to make progress. Also, for some reason, Gold has Oregon State three spots behind the woebegone Oregon Ducks. I digress ... for now.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Oregon (Friday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Comment: This was unanimous. Cal is coming off a bye, reeling from a disappointing loss to Oregon State. Every time we want to give the Golden Bears credit, like after the Utah win, they seem to come crashing back to what we’re used to. Seems like a waste of a talented quarterback in Davis Webb.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Bye
This week: at California (Friday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Comment: Gold has Oregon at No. 8! What are we going to do with him?! Oregon only didn’t stay at the bottom this week because it didn’t play. Although, Cal will certainly be a winnable game for the Ducks. Who would’ve thought that we’d be calling a midseason game against Cal a “must-win” for Oregon in the “we want to become bowl eligible” sense and not the “we want to make the College Football Playoff” one? Can’t wait for Chip Kelly to be back coaching the Ducks next year ...
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Lost to USC 48-14
This week: Bye
Comment: It’s hard not to wonder what this team would look like at this point if not for its barrage of bad luck. What if Arizona goes for two against Washington at the end of regulation and wins that game? What if the Wildcats score more than 16 points against BYU and pull off that win? What if J.J. Taylor didn’t break his ankle, or Nick Wilson could last a full four quarters? For all the good luck Arizona had in 2014, there has been equal parts bad luck this time around. Alas, it doesn’t get any easier. Thank the heavens for a bye week.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Welcome to another edition of Pac-12 Power Rankings.
We’re eight weeks into the season and ... it’s still, really, just Washington and then everyone else. When was the last time Stanford was this much of an afterthought?
To think two years ago Arizona and Oregon battled in the Pac-12 Championship game, and now they’re both at the bottom of these rankings.
Wild in the West.
Anyway, as always, these rankings are voted on by the Star’s three-man panel of Jon Gold, Zack Rosenblatt and Michael Lev. Rosenblatt is on the commentary this week.
Enjoy.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Oregon State (3:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: This is and has been unanimous for weeks, and, barring some unforeseen craziness, will probably be unanimous for the duration of this season. In a down year for the Pac-12, Washington is its saving grace and its only shot at the College Football Playoff. Saturday's opponent, Oregon State, is no pushover anymore.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Last week: Defeated Oregon State 19-14
This week: at UCLA (1 p.m., Fox)
Comment: The reality is, 6-1 is nothing to scoff at, particularly with the irregularity of this Pac-12 season, but the Utes are an ugly 6-1. Utah quarterback Troy Williams only passed for 42 yards against the Beavers last week. Arizona's third-string tight end Matt Morin — who played quarterback for the Wildcats in the second half last week — threw for more against USC. The Utes' offense is an issue, but as long as they keep winning, all is good. Jon Gold is not convinced — he has Utah at four, behind Stanford and USC, who the Utes beat earlier this season.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Last week: Defeated Arizona State 40-16
This week: at Stanford (Noon, Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: This is where things start to get volatile in our rankings with disagreements galore. Lev had the Buffs at No. 3, I had them at No. 4 and Gold at No. 5. With a win this week at Stanford, it should be safe to assume that even Gold will be convinced of Colorado’s aptitude.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Last week: Defeated Notre Dame 17-10
This week: vs. Colorado (Noon, Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Gold seems to be holding out hope that Stanford figures things out, while Lev and I wildly disagree. Gold has Stanford at No. 2 (what???????) whereas we have them all the way back at No. 6. I’m just not buying them as the Stanford we’re all used to anymore. Sure, the Cardinal beat Notre Dame without Christian McCaffrey, and have a chance in any game with him in the fold, but that’s an Irish team in a down year. A winning streak the next two weeks against Colorado (at home) and at Arizona, which is a Pac-12 bottom dweller this year, still won’t sway me. Not your father’s Stanford. Sorry.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Last week: Defeated UCLA 27-21
This week: at Arizona State (7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Another case of where Gold seems to be watching different football than Lev and myself, although this one might be a little more defensible if you consider the Cougars lost to an FCS program (Eastern Washington) for the second straight year. Gold has the Fighting Mike Leaches at No. 6, I have them all the way up at No. 3 and Lev evens it out by placing them at No. 4. My reasoning: Every year, Leach’s Washington State teams start slow and finish big. In my opinion, the Cougars might be the only team closely resembling a legitimate threat to Washington’s Pac-12 North throne.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Last week: Defeated Arizona 48-14
This week: Bye
Comment: The panel’s opinions on USC vary — I have them at 6, Lev 5, Gold 3 — but we all are in agreement that the Trojans are back on the rise, perhaps even enough to save Clay Helton’s job. If USC keeps playing the way it has the last few weeks, provided it doesn’t end the season in a tie atop the Pac-12 South standings with Utah — the Utes hold the tiebreaker after winning their matchup with the Trojans — I don’t think it would shock anyone if USC wound up facing Washington in the conference championship.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Last week: Lost to Colorado 40-16
This week: vs. Washington State (7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: We all were skeptical of Arizona State’s legitimacy in the South, and our skepticism proved warranted after the Sun Devils’ debacle of a performance against Colorado. ASU was one of just three unanimous rankings this week, along with Washington at No. 1 and Cal further down in the rankings. With their upcoming schedule — Washington State, Oregon, Utah, Washington — there’s a legitimate scenario where the Sun Devils head into the Territorial Cup still seeking bowl eligibility.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Last week: Lost to Washington State 27-21
This week: vs. Utah (1 p.m., Fox)
Comment: Man, were we all wrong about the Bruins. The UCLA running game has been ghastly, prompting former Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel (a personal favorite in terms of personality) to call Jim Mora out for trying to be like Stanford on offense, without the personnel. Hard to argue with that, and it certainly doesn’t help to have an injured Josh Rosen. Don’t be surprised if the Bruins continue a free fall down these rankings next week. Question: Is Mora on the hot seat yet?
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Last week: Lost to Utah 19-14
This week: at Washington (3:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Gold doesn’t seem convinced by Oregon State. (I sense a recurring theme here. I think he just doesn’t like Lev and I). Gold had the upstart Beavers way back at No. 11, while Lev and I had them at No. 9. The fact is, they beat Cal, nearly beat Utah and just have generally appeared to make progress. Also, for some reason, Gold has Oregon State three spots behind the woebegone Oregon Ducks. I digress ... for now.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Oregon (Friday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Comment: This was unanimous. Cal is coming off a bye, reeling from a disappointing loss to Oregon State. Every time we want to give the Golden Bears credit, like after the Utah win, they seem to come crashing back to what we’re used to. Seems like a waste of a talented quarterback in Davis Webb.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Last week: Bye
This week: at California (Friday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Comment: Gold has Oregon at No. 8! What are we going to do with him?! Oregon only didn’t stay at the bottom this week because it didn’t play. Although, Cal will certainly be a winnable game for the Ducks. Who would’ve thought that we’d be calling a midseason game against Cal a “must-win” for Oregon in the “we want to become bowl eligible” sense and not the “we want to make the College Football Playoff” one? Can’t wait for Chip Kelly to be back coaching the Ducks next year ...
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Last week: Lost to USC 48-14
This week: Bye
Comment: It’s hard not to wonder what this team would look like at this point if not for its barrage of bad luck. What if Arizona goes for two against Washington at the end of regulation and wins that game? What if the Wildcats score more than 16 points against BYU and pull off that win? What if J.J. Taylor didn’t break his ankle, or Nick Wilson could last a full four quarters? For all the good luck Arizona had in 2014, there has been equal parts bad luck this time around. Alas, it doesn’t get any easier. Thank the heavens for a bye week.
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