Pac-12 football power rankings: Washington still at the top; Cal climbs
- Updated
The Star sports staff rates the conference's teams 1-12 heading into the ninth weekend of 2016.
- Jon Gold Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
As always, three Star sports staffers — Michael Lev, Zack Rosenblatt and yours truly — rate the conference’s teams 1-12. We compile and tabulate those votes to form each week’s power rankings.
Here’s the latest version (with comments by Jon Gold):
- Jon Gold Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Oregon State 41-17
This week: at No. 17 Utah (Saturday, 12:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
Comment: At this point, we have to consider the Huskies a playoff contender. Washington has moved into the top-5. We haven't seen a team beat on the Pac-12 so ruthlessly on both sides of the ball in some time. Somehow, with B- and C-level recruits — and a smattering of five-stars — the Huskies are working at a USC clip.
- Jon Gold Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated UCLA 52-45
This week: vs. No. 4 Washington (Saturday, 12:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
Comment: Is there a quieter 7-1 team in the country than the Utes? Kyle Whittingham has convinced his squad that its second to none, and that confidence will go a long way for Utah. And how about Joe Williams?! What a story.
- Jon Gold Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Stanford 10-5
This week: Bye week
Comment: Mike McIntyre doesn't just deserve Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors, he might deserve coach of the century honors for what he's done with the Buffaloes. How does a team suddenly become tough? Follow this blueprint.
- Jon Gold Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Arizona State 37-32
This week: at Oregon State (Saturday, 7:45 p.m., ESPN2)
Comment: At one point, the Cougars were 0-2 with losses to Eastern Washington and Boise State. Now Mike Leach's crew has won five straight, including road wins over Stanford and Arizona State. That's how you bounce back from a bad start.
- Jon Gold Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Bye week
This week: vs. Cal (Thursday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Comment: You've got to wonder where the Trojans would be if Sam Darnold started the year No. 1. Darnold looks like a future star, and at 4-3 but winners of three straight, the future might just be now.
- Jon Gold Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Lost to Colorado 10-5
This week: at Arizona (Saturday, 8 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
Comment: It’s almost stunning that the David Shaw-captained Cardinal didn’t go out and recruit a better quarterback than Ryan Burns. That Stanford is going to Keller Chryst says a lot about what they think about Burns, too. Kevin Hogan looks mighty good in hindsight.
- Jon Gold Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Oregon 52-49
This week: at USC (Thursday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Comment: Hard to put the Bears above the Cardinal two weeks after a loss to Oregon State, but a win over Oregon — even this putrid version of the Ducks — counts for something. If Cal can upend USC, the Bears will jump multiple spots.
- Jon Gold Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Lost to Washington State 37-32
This week: at Oregon (Saturday, 2 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: One of the enigmas in college football, the Sun Devils have lost 3 of 4 after winning four straight to kick off the campaign. It doesn’t help much that ASU has just eight touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
- Jon Gold Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Lost to Utah 52-45
This week: Bye week
Comment: Color me utterly shocked that a Jim Mora-led team displays a shocking lack of discipline. Maybe it turns out the Rick Neuheisel recruits of the first two years of the Mora regime were a little better than we thought.
- Jon Gold Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Lost to Washington 41-17
This week: vs. Washington State (Saturday, 7:45 p.m., ESPN2)
Comment: The Beavers are ahead of the Ducks. That sure speaks volumes. Turn up to 11. Without headphones.
- Jon Gold Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Lost to Cal 52-49
This week: vs. Arizona State (Saturday, 2 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Funny, we spent all that time, literally a decade, talking about the Ducks’ thrilling offense. Maybe the Ducks should have spent some time recruiting defense?
- Jon Gold Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Bye week
This week: vs. Stanford (Saturday, 8 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
Comment: And then the Wildcats, who have neither an offense nor a defense to speak of, but a whole lot of injuries and frustration.
As always, three Star sports staffers — Michael Lev, Zack Rosenblatt and yours truly — rate the conference’s teams 1-12. We compile and tabulate those votes to form each week’s power rankings.
Here’s the latest version (with comments by Jon Gold):
Last week: Defeated Oregon State 41-17
This week: at No. 17 Utah (Saturday, 12:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
Comment: At this point, we have to consider the Huskies a playoff contender. Washington has moved into the top-5. We haven't seen a team beat on the Pac-12 so ruthlessly on both sides of the ball in some time. Somehow, with B- and C-level recruits — and a smattering of five-stars — the Huskies are working at a USC clip.
Last week: Defeated UCLA 52-45
This week: vs. No. 4 Washington (Saturday, 12:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
Comment: Is there a quieter 7-1 team in the country than the Utes? Kyle Whittingham has convinced his squad that its second to none, and that confidence will go a long way for Utah. And how about Joe Williams?! What a story.
Last week: Defeated Stanford 10-5
This week: Bye week
Comment: Mike McIntyre doesn't just deserve Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors, he might deserve coach of the century honors for what he's done with the Buffaloes. How does a team suddenly become tough? Follow this blueprint.
Last week: Defeated Arizona State 37-32
This week: at Oregon State (Saturday, 7:45 p.m., ESPN2)
Comment: At one point, the Cougars were 0-2 with losses to Eastern Washington and Boise State. Now Mike Leach's crew has won five straight, including road wins over Stanford and Arizona State. That's how you bounce back from a bad start.
Last week: Bye week
This week: vs. Cal (Thursday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Comment: You've got to wonder where the Trojans would be if Sam Darnold started the year No. 1. Darnold looks like a future star, and at 4-3 but winners of three straight, the future might just be now.
Last week: Lost to Colorado 10-5
This week: at Arizona (Saturday, 8 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
Comment: It’s almost stunning that the David Shaw-captained Cardinal didn’t go out and recruit a better quarterback than Ryan Burns. That Stanford is going to Keller Chryst says a lot about what they think about Burns, too. Kevin Hogan looks mighty good in hindsight.
Last week: Defeated Oregon 52-49
This week: at USC (Thursday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Comment: Hard to put the Bears above the Cardinal two weeks after a loss to Oregon State, but a win over Oregon — even this putrid version of the Ducks — counts for something. If Cal can upend USC, the Bears will jump multiple spots.
Last week: Lost to Washington State 37-32
This week: at Oregon (Saturday, 2 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: One of the enigmas in college football, the Sun Devils have lost 3 of 4 after winning four straight to kick off the campaign. It doesn’t help much that ASU has just eight touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
Last week: Lost to Utah 52-45
This week: Bye week
Comment: Color me utterly shocked that a Jim Mora-led team displays a shocking lack of discipline. Maybe it turns out the Rick Neuheisel recruits of the first two years of the Mora regime were a little better than we thought.
Last week: Lost to Washington 41-17
This week: vs. Washington State (Saturday, 7:45 p.m., ESPN2)
Comment: The Beavers are ahead of the Ducks. That sure speaks volumes. Turn up to 11. Without headphones.
Last week: Lost to Cal 52-49
This week: vs. Arizona State (Saturday, 2 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Funny, we spent all that time, literally a decade, talking about the Ducks’ thrilling offense. Maybe the Ducks should have spent some time recruiting defense?
Last week: Bye week
This week: vs. Stanford (Saturday, 8 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
Comment: And then the Wildcats, who have neither an offense nor a defense to speak of, but a whole lot of injuries and frustration.
View this profile on Instagram#ThisIsTucson 🌵 (@this_is_tucson) • Instagram photos and videos
Most viewed stories
-
What a delicious year: the best meals I ate in Tucson in 2025 💖
-
23 exciting events to start your new year, January 2-4 2026! 🪩✨
-
Looking ahead to Tucson's new and cool for '26
-
Ring in 2026 at these fun local New Year's Eve events 🥳
-
New eats! 10 new restaurants that opened in Tucson this fall
-
Horchata lattes and breakfast burritos: Tucson's Barista del Barrio opens 2nd location
-
Get ready to eat all the spicy tuna rolls you can at this viral sushi spot 🍣