Pac-12 football power rankings: Stanford reclaims top spot in Week 4
- Updated
The Star sports staff rates the conference's teams 1-12 heading into the fourth weekend of 2016.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Who’s actually good in the Pac-12? We’ll start to find out this week, when 10 of the 12 teams play conference games.
Who knows where our Pac-12 Power Rankings will go from there.
In the meantime, we present the picture coming out of Week 3 and heading into Week 4.
As always, three Star sports staffers — Jon Gold, Zack Rosenblatt and Michael Lev (that’s me!) — 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 Lev):
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated USC 27-10
This week: at UCLA (Saturday, 5 p.m., ABC)
Comment: Stanford and Washington look like the class of the conference at this early juncture — and they play each other next week! First things first, though: The Cardinal have to get past the pesky Bruins, whom Zack and I believe are the next-best squad (Jon … not so much). If Stanford rushes for 302 yards again — as it did last week against USC — the Cardinal won’t lose. QB Ryan Burns attempted only 15 passes in that game.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Portland State 41-3
This week: at Arizona (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: There’s little doubt that Washington is the best team Arizona will have faced this season. But the reverse is true as well. UW’s non-conference schedule was softer than Homer Simpson’s belly: Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State, all at home. I believe in the Huskies — I’m the only one of the three who voted them No. 1 — but they still have something to prove. Washington has lost its past four trips to Tucson, and only one of them (27-26 in 2014) was close.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated BYU 17-14
This week: vs. Stanford (Saturday, 5 p.m., ABC)
Comment: Then there’s UCLA. According to Jeff Sagarin, the Bruins have had the 12th-hardest schedule so far this season: at Texas A&M, vs. UNLV, at BYU. (Washington’s schedule ranks 182nd per Sagarin’s system.) That being said, star QB Josh Rosen hasn’t exactly gotten off to the most scintillating start. “Chosen Rosen” has thrown as many interceptions as touchdown passes (four apiece). His completion percentage of 60.5 is just meh. Stanford on national TV represents the ideal opportunity to prove he’s worthy of the hype.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Lost to Nebraska 35-32
This week: vs. Colorado (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: There’s no shame in losing by three points in Lincoln. But it came at a cost: The Ducks lost left tackle Tyrell Crosby and receiver Devon Allen to season-ending injuries. Ouch. Star RB Royce Freeman got banged up as well. All of which makes things that much harder on QB Dakota Prukop, who has a 6-0 TD-INT ratio — but failed to throw a touchdown pass or rally the Ducks at the end against the Huskers. Before you count out Oregon, though, remember that UO gets Washington and Stanford at home.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated San Jose State 34-17
This week: vs. USC (Friday, 6 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
Comment: It’s been an interesting stretch for the Utes. Senior tailback Joe Williams retired. DE Kylie Fitts suffered a season-ending foot injury. And WR Corey Butler-Byrd got reinstated from suspension. Utah needs playmakers on the outside to help inconsistent QB Troy Williams, who, like Rosen, has a 4-4 TD-INT ratio. It’s nice when your defense can get 10 sacks, as happened against San Jose State last week.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Texas 50-43
This week: at Arizona State (Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN2)
Comment: This week’s biggest riser, and for good reason: The Longhorns were ranked 11th in the AP Top 25 when the Golden Bears knocked them off late Saturday night. (Despite that outcome, Texas landed at 21 in this week’s poll, one spot ahead of San Diego State … which beat Cal … which beat Texas. Sigh.) Not unlike other recent iterations, Cal has half a good team. The offense, behind new QB Davis Webb and breakout receiver Chad Hansen, is among the nation’s best. The defense is among its worst.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Lost to Michigan 45-28
This week: at Oregon (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: The Buffaloes just have no luck. They were right there with the Wolverines at the Big House — leading 28-24! — until QB Sefo Liufau got hurt. Colorado collapsed after that. Which is a shame, because, despite my role as an objective journalist, I really, really wanted CU to win. Not because I’m a fan of the Buffs but because Jim Harbaugh has it coming. He treats the media like dirt and wouldn’t even acknowledge the hilarity of Colorado’s mock depth chart — which the CU media-relations staff created in response to Harbaugh not releasing a real one. Whatever, Jimbo.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Lost to Stanford 27-10
This week: at Utah (Friday, 6 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
Comment: Clay Helton was supposed to bring stability to USC. Instead, more chaos. Less than a month into the season, Helton changed quarterbacks, elevating promising dual threat Sam Darnold and demoting ineffective pocket passer Max Browne. It isn’t surprising that USC is 1-2 with Alabama and Stanford among its first three opponents, but it’s the manner in which the Trojans lost that’s alarming. They weren’t even competitive. Despite all its talent and speed, USC ranks last in the Pac-12 in total offense and points per game. Simply stunning.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Texas San Antonio 32-28
This week: vs. Cal (Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN2)
Comment: The last time the Sun Devils and Bears played in basketball, they combined for 133 points. Their football teams could eclipse that total Saturday night. Cal won last year’s meeting 48-46, and there’s little reason to believe this year’s will devolve into a defensive slugfest. Before you knock the Devils for beating the Roadrunners by only four points, remember that UTSA gave Arizona everything it could handle the past two seasons.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Hawaii 47-28
This week: (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: I’ll use this space to give my personal opinion on the QB situation. Regardless of Anu Solomon’s health, Brandon Dawkins deserves to remain the starting quarterback until he proves he’s incapable of handling the job. The competition Rich Rodriguez created between them was always about Dawkins’ upside, and he has flashed it the past two weeks. Is he a finished product? No. But the impact of his running ability can’t be overstated. Yes, Dawkins racked up all those rushing yards against inferior competition. But there’s only one way to find out if he can do it against bigger, faster, stronger defenses.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Idaho 56-6
This week: Bye
Comment: I just have no idea what to make of Mike Leach and his program. Every time I think he’s lost it, the Cougars reel off a winning streak. When I jump on their bandwagon, they implode. Would it surprise anyone if WSU beat Oregon after its bye? Nope. Nor would it be surprising if the Cougars lost by 30. No matter what, though, Luke Falk will put up insane numbers. His line in WSU’s 31-28 loss to Boise State in Week 2: 55 of 71, 480 yards, four touchdowns, one interception. No matter what, Leach gonna Leach.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Last week: Defeated Idaho State 37-7
This week: vs. Boise State (Saturday, 12:30 p.m., FS1)
Comment: Unanimous last-place pick OSU is .500, which is more than USC or Washington State can claim. The victory came against FCS Idaho State, but the Beavers hadn’t won since Sept. 19 of last year, so they’ll take it. Gary Andersen is a good coach. He’ll get this thing turned around. It might not happen until 2019, but it will happen.
Who’s actually good in the Pac-12? We’ll start to find out this week, when 10 of the 12 teams play conference games.
Who knows where our Pac-12 Power Rankings will go from there.
In the meantime, we present the picture coming out of Week 3 and heading into Week 4.
As always, three Star sports staffers — Jon Gold, Zack Rosenblatt and Michael Lev (that’s me!) — 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 Lev):
Last week: Defeated USC 27-10
This week: at UCLA (Saturday, 5 p.m., ABC)
Comment: Stanford and Washington look like the class of the conference at this early juncture — and they play each other next week! First things first, though: The Cardinal have to get past the pesky Bruins, whom Zack and I believe are the next-best squad (Jon … not so much). If Stanford rushes for 302 yards again — as it did last week against USC — the Cardinal won’t lose. QB Ryan Burns attempted only 15 passes in that game.
Last week: Defeated Portland State 41-3
This week: at Arizona (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: There’s little doubt that Washington is the best team Arizona will have faced this season. But the reverse is true as well. UW’s non-conference schedule was softer than Homer Simpson’s belly: Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State, all at home. I believe in the Huskies — I’m the only one of the three who voted them No. 1 — but they still have something to prove. Washington has lost its past four trips to Tucson, and only one of them (27-26 in 2014) was close.
Last week: Defeated BYU 17-14
This week: vs. Stanford (Saturday, 5 p.m., ABC)
Comment: Then there’s UCLA. According to Jeff Sagarin, the Bruins have had the 12th-hardest schedule so far this season: at Texas A&M, vs. UNLV, at BYU. (Washington’s schedule ranks 182nd per Sagarin’s system.) That being said, star QB Josh Rosen hasn’t exactly gotten off to the most scintillating start. “Chosen Rosen” has thrown as many interceptions as touchdown passes (four apiece). His completion percentage of 60.5 is just meh. Stanford on national TV represents the ideal opportunity to prove he’s worthy of the hype.
Last week: Lost to Nebraska 35-32
This week: vs. Colorado (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: There’s no shame in losing by three points in Lincoln. But it came at a cost: The Ducks lost left tackle Tyrell Crosby and receiver Devon Allen to season-ending injuries. Ouch. Star RB Royce Freeman got banged up as well. All of which makes things that much harder on QB Dakota Prukop, who has a 6-0 TD-INT ratio — but failed to throw a touchdown pass or rally the Ducks at the end against the Huskers. Before you count out Oregon, though, remember that UO gets Washington and Stanford at home.
Last week: Defeated San Jose State 34-17
This week: vs. USC (Friday, 6 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
Comment: It’s been an interesting stretch for the Utes. Senior tailback Joe Williams retired. DE Kylie Fitts suffered a season-ending foot injury. And WR Corey Butler-Byrd got reinstated from suspension. Utah needs playmakers on the outside to help inconsistent QB Troy Williams, who, like Rosen, has a 4-4 TD-INT ratio. It’s nice when your defense can get 10 sacks, as happened against San Jose State last week.
Last week: Defeated Texas 50-43
This week: at Arizona State (Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN2)
Comment: This week’s biggest riser, and for good reason: The Longhorns were ranked 11th in the AP Top 25 when the Golden Bears knocked them off late Saturday night. (Despite that outcome, Texas landed at 21 in this week’s poll, one spot ahead of San Diego State … which beat Cal … which beat Texas. Sigh.) Not unlike other recent iterations, Cal has half a good team. The offense, behind new QB Davis Webb and breakout receiver Chad Hansen, is among the nation’s best. The defense is among its worst.
Last week: Lost to Michigan 45-28
This week: at Oregon (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: The Buffaloes just have no luck. They were right there with the Wolverines at the Big House — leading 28-24! — until QB Sefo Liufau got hurt. Colorado collapsed after that. Which is a shame, because, despite my role as an objective journalist, I really, really wanted CU to win. Not because I’m a fan of the Buffs but because Jim Harbaugh has it coming. He treats the media like dirt and wouldn’t even acknowledge the hilarity of Colorado’s mock depth chart — which the CU media-relations staff created in response to Harbaugh not releasing a real one. Whatever, Jimbo.
Last week: Lost to Stanford 27-10
This week: at Utah (Friday, 6 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
Comment: Clay Helton was supposed to bring stability to USC. Instead, more chaos. Less than a month into the season, Helton changed quarterbacks, elevating promising dual threat Sam Darnold and demoting ineffective pocket passer Max Browne. It isn’t surprising that USC is 1-2 with Alabama and Stanford among its first three opponents, but it’s the manner in which the Trojans lost that’s alarming. They weren’t even competitive. Despite all its talent and speed, USC ranks last in the Pac-12 in total offense and points per game. Simply stunning.
Last week: Defeated Texas San Antonio 32-28
This week: vs. Cal (Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN2)
Comment: The last time the Sun Devils and Bears played in basketball, they combined for 133 points. Their football teams could eclipse that total Saturday night. Cal won last year’s meeting 48-46, and there’s little reason to believe this year’s will devolve into a defensive slugfest. Before you knock the Devils for beating the Roadrunners by only four points, remember that UTSA gave Arizona everything it could handle the past two seasons.
Last week: Defeated Hawaii 47-28
This week: (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: I’ll use this space to give my personal opinion on the QB situation. Regardless of Anu Solomon’s health, Brandon Dawkins deserves to remain the starting quarterback until he proves he’s incapable of handling the job. The competition Rich Rodriguez created between them was always about Dawkins’ upside, and he has flashed it the past two weeks. Is he a finished product? No. But the impact of his running ability can’t be overstated. Yes, Dawkins racked up all those rushing yards against inferior competition. But there’s only one way to find out if he can do it against bigger, faster, stronger defenses.
Last week: Defeated Idaho 56-6
This week: Bye
Comment: I just have no idea what to make of Mike Leach and his program. Every time I think he’s lost it, the Cougars reel off a winning streak. When I jump on their bandwagon, they implode. Would it surprise anyone if WSU beat Oregon after its bye? Nope. Nor would it be surprising if the Cougars lost by 30. No matter what, though, Luke Falk will put up insane numbers. His line in WSU’s 31-28 loss to Boise State in Week 2: 55 of 71, 480 yards, four touchdowns, one interception. No matter what, Leach gonna Leach.
Last week: Defeated Idaho State 37-7
This week: vs. Boise State (Saturday, 12:30 p.m., FS1)
Comment: Unanimous last-place pick OSU is .500, which is more than USC or Washington State can claim. The victory came against FCS Idaho State, but the Beavers hadn’t won since Sept. 19 of last year, so they’ll take it. Gary Andersen is a good coach. He’ll get this thing turned around. It might not happen until 2019, but it will happen.
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