Pac-12 Power Rankings: All eyes on Pullman for Oregon-Wazzu showdown
-
Dominic Baciocco
Sports producer
- Updated
The Star’s panel of Michael Lev, Ryan Finley, Justin Spears and Dominic Baciocco takes its swing at the latest batch of power rankings.
1. Oregon Ducks (5-1, 2-1; previous rank: 3)
UpdatedLast week: Beat No. 7 Washington, 30-27 in overtime
This week: at No. 25 Washington State, 4:30 p.m. Saturday
The Ducks may be the Pac-12's last hope at earning a College Football Playoff bid. Oregon took commanding control of the Pac-12 North by upending the rival Huskies, but the challenge may be even more difficult this week in Pullman. UO coach Mario Cristobal boasts the conference’s third-best offense behind Justin Herbert, and the defense is just starting to show its teeth. The Ducks could again be without two of their top offensive linemen; Dallas Warmack and Penei Sewell suffered injuries against Washington last week, so Herbert will have to have his head on a swivel.
2. Washington Huskies (5-2, 3-1 Pac-12; previous rank: 1)
UpdatedLast week: Lost to No. 17 Oregon, 30-27 in overtime
This week: vs. Colorado, 12:30 p.m. Saturday
Washington quarterback Jake Browning did not step up to the challenge in last week's loss to the Ducks. It wasn't all his fault: The Huskies’ defense slipped for the first time in what seemed like an eternity, allowing more than 24 points to an offense for the first time all season. Washington’s chances at reaching another College Football Playoff effectively came to an end with the overtime loss. It'll have to get back on track against a tough Colorado team this weekend.
3. Washington State Cougars (5-1, 2-1; previous rank: 5)
Updated
The Washington State mascot poses for a photograph before an NCAA college football game between Washington State and Utah in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018.
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. No. 12 Oregon, 4:30 p.m. Saturday
A bye couldn’t have come at a better time for the Cougars, who will host Oregon on Saturday night in a contest with Pac-12 championship implications. Wazzu has the country’s No. 15 defense, but it's quarterback Gardner Minshew who has been the difference this year. The grad transfer from East Carolina has thrown for at least 300 yards in every game, including 445 yards against Utah, the conference’s top defense. Oregon surely will provide another test, but it’s nothing Minshew hasn’t seen already.
4. Stanford Cardinal (4-2, 2-1 Pac-12; previous rank: 4)
Updated
K.J. Costello hasn't been able to make up for the absence of Bryce Love in Stanford's offense.
Last week: Bye
This week: at Arizona State, 6 p.m. Thursday
Stanford’s offense slacks when Bryce Love isn’t able to play, and he’s questionable for this week’s Thursday night tilt. Quarterback K.J. Costello was forced to play from behind in a loss to Utah two weeks ago, resulting in a season-high 41 pass attempts and two interceptions. Costello never attempted more than 27 passes in a game last season. He’s already reached or surpassed that total five times this year.
5. Utah Utes (4-2, 2-2 Pac-12; previous rank: 6)
UpdatedLast week: Beat Arizona, 42-10
This week: vs. USC, 5 p.m. Saturday
Tyler Huntley played some of his best football the last two weeks, but he’ll need to keep it up if the Utes want to win the Pac-12 South. The second-half schedule is mostly favorable for the Utes, who host the Trojans and No. 12 Oregon and play on the road at Colorado. The winning formula is simple: Beat USC, and the Utes will control their own destiny in the Pac-12 South.
6. Colorado Buffaloes (5-1, 2-1; previous rank: 2)
Updated
The status of Colorado WR Laviska Shenault Jr. is among the unknowns entering Saturday's game vs. Arizona.
Last week: Lost to USC, 31-20
This week: at No. 15 Washington, 12:30 p.m. Saturday
The Buffs’ remaining schedule is as difficult as they come in the Pac-12, with games against Washington, Washington State and Utah remaining. CU travels to Seattle this week for a showdown with the Huskies, as both teams hope to stay afloat in the conference title race. Colorado suffered its first hiccup of the season last week. Wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. led the rushing attack, gaining 46 yards on two carries. While that's not ideal, Shenault's presence on offense means Colorado can score on any given play. Steven Montez struggled with 170 passing yards on a jarring 47 pass attempts against USC. He’ll have to snap back quick on the road again this week.
7. USC Trojans (4-2, 3-1 Pac-12; previous rank: 7)
UpdatedLast week: Beat No. 19 Colorado, 31-20
This week: at Utah, 5 p.m. Saturday
The Pac-12 South race is basically down to three teams: Colorado, Utah and USC. The Trojans find themselves in a familiar position atop the standings after three straight conference wins. A fourth this week would put USC in a great position for the rest of the season. USC holds a 5-2 record against Utah since 2011, but hasn't won in Salt Lake City since 2012. Coach Clay Helton talked Tuesday about the budding rivalry: “You always see Utah at the top of the leaderboard, either first, second or third each year. … You know going into that battle with Utah that you’re in for an extremely physical war … one of those games that you know is going to be a 60-minute game.” Count us in.
8. Arizona State Sun Devils (3-3, 1-2; previous rank: T8)
UpdatedLast week: Bye
This week: vs. Stanford, 6 p.m. Thursday
ASU is more or less right where it started under first-year coach Herm Edwards. The 3-3 Sun Devils will play Stanford on Thursday, and have games against USC, Utah and Oregon among their final five. That’s a steep hill even for Manny Wilkins and N’Keal Harry. For as good as Harry has been, catching 34 passes for 481 yards and five touchdowns so far, he has only led ASU in receiving twice this season. Both games resulted in Sun Devils wins. You'd think Edwards stressed that connection during the bye week.
9. Arizona Wildcats (3-4, 2-2; previous rank: T8)
Updated
Arizona receiver Cedric Peterson, right, averaged 14.9 yards per catch and scored four touchdowns last season.
Last week: Lost to Utah, 42-10
This week: at UCLA, 7:30 p.m.
The Wildcats are eight-point underdogs at UCLA this week — not much of a surprise after a complete dismantling at Utah last weekend. Quarterback Khalil Tate left the game after re-aggravating an ankle injury, and won't play this week against UCLA. After taking on the Bruins, Arizona finishes up with games against No. 12 Oregon, Colorado, No. 25 Washington State and Arizona State. Sumlin’s crew needs to take three of the five games to make the postseason. That makes a trip to UCLA a must-win.
10 (tie). Cal Golden Bears (3-3, 0-3; previous rank: 10)
Updated
California coach Justin Wilcox watches the game against Oregon during the second half in Berkeley.
Last week: Lost to UCLA, 37-7
This week: at Oregon State, 1 p.m. Saturday
After peaking at No. 5 in the power rankings, Cal suddenly looks to be more of a mess than the UCLA Bruins. The Golden Bears have lost three straight after opening the year with three consecutive wins, and the remaining schedule isn’t favorable. A road game in Corvallis has the making of a bounce-back day, but Cal will have to show strides of improvement. Golden Bears coach Justin Wilcox called Oregon State “a good challenge for us,” and that just about sums up the state of Cal football.
10 (tie). UCLA Bruins (1-5, 1-2; previous rank: 11)
UpdatedLast week: Beat Cal, 37-7
This week: vs. Arizona, 7:30 p.m. Saturday
The Bruins are winners for the first time under Chip Kelly. Freshman quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s numbers didn’t jump off the page in last week's win over Cal, but he completed 13 of 15 passes and did a nice job keeping possession and sustaining drives. Kelly was disappointed his Bruins won’t get to line up against Arizona's Tate this week. “We don’t have to chase the fastest kid in the country,” he said. “It’s sad. I’m a big Khalil Tate fan. He’s a tough kid. I know he tried to gut it out.” What’s better for UCLA is the emergence of junior running back Joshua Kelley, who rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns on a season-high 30 carries last weekend. Kelley has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in three consecutive games.
12. Oregon State Beavers (1-5, 0-3; previous rank: 12)
Updated
Oregon State's Jermar Jefferson (22) scores during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Nevada, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Reno, Nev.
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Cal, 1 p.m. Saturday
The Beavers will rely heavily on freshman running back Jermar Jefferson as they approach the two-year anniversary of their most recent Pac-12 win. Oregon State is 0-12 since it beat Oregon on Nov. 26, 2016. Cal ranks in the bottom half of the conference in stopping the run, so Jefferson should continue to see a heavy workload. He has six touchdowns and 392 yards over the past two games.
Dominic Baciocco
Sports producer
