Pac-12 Power Rankings: Ducks face major test Saturday when they take on Stanford
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Dominic Baciocco
Sports producer
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A look at who's rising, falling and prepping for big showings.
1. Stanford Cardinal (3-0, 1-0 Pac-12; previous rank: 1)
UpdatedLast week: Beat UC Davis, 30-10
This week: at No. 20 Oregon, 5 p.m. Saturday
Stanford’s offense has yet to find any kind of rhythm. Bryce Love has just 165 yards in two games, and sat out last weekend’s contest with an undisclosed injury. Cardinal coach David Shaw said the Heisman candidate running back is “fired up” and will be ready to go when Stanford visits Oregon. Love adds another element to Stanford’s offense and has the ability to open up the passing game for K.J. Costello. Oregon has is allowing just 77 rushing yards per game; look for the Ducks to challenge Stanford to throw. The Cardinal play Oregon and No. 8 Notre Dame in the coming weeks, so we’ll know soon just how legitimate the Stanford is.
2. Washington Huskies (2-1, 1-0 Pac-12; previous rank: 2)
UpdatedLast week: Beat Utah, 21-7
This week: Arizona State, 7:30 p.m. Saturday
The Huskies proved their defense still ranks among the best in the Pac-12 with an exceptional showing at Utah. Washington allowed a lengthy drive for a touchdown late in the first quarter, then pitched a shutout over the final three. Offensive efficiency remains a concern: The Huskies had almost as many first downs (18) as points (21) in Salt Lake City. Myles Gaskin should help remedy those struggles moving forward. The senior running back’s 47th career rushing touchdown moved him into eighth place all-time in the Pac-12.
3. Oregon Ducks (2-0; previous rank: 3)
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Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert has the Ducks cruising into Pac-12 play, where steeper competition awaits.
Last week: Beat San Jose State, 35-22
This week: No. 7 Stanford, 5 p.m. Saturday
It’s been smooth sailing for the Ducks through three games in the Mario Cristobal era. But Alabama comparisons? For now, they belong to Stanford. Cristobal was Nick Saban’s offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Alabama for four seasons before coming to Oregon in 2017, and talked during a conference call Tuesday about the similarities between the Cardinal and Crimson Tide. “They’re (both) known for being physical. … There’s a lot of overlap to some of the stuff at my last stop and certainly some of the things we’re implementing now, so a ton of respect to the way (the Cardinal) play football.” That, so far, has meant smothering opponents up front and keeping them out of the end zone. Oregon’s best win so far came over … Bowling Green? Portland State? The Ducks finally will be put to the test. Welcome to the Pac-12, coach.
4. Colorado Buffaloes (3-0; previous rank: 5)
UpdatedLast week: Beat New Hampshire, 45-14
This week: Bye
Quarterback Steven Montez didn’t put up gaudy numbers last week, but he didn’t have to. The Buffs focused on the ground game in the second half, but Montez still managed to connect with Laviska Shenault Jr. on a 28-yard touchdown to open scoring. The duo has scored each of the first three weeks, and should feast on a vulnerable UCLA defense next week in their Pac-12 opener.
5. Utah Utes (2-1, 0-1 Pac-12; previous rank: 4)
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Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley has struggled to kick it into gear in 2018.
Last week: Lost to No. 10 Washington, 21-7
This week: Bye
The Pac-12 South is wide open, and Utah is the division’s only team that hasn’t been to the conference’s championship game. After falling short of a statement win over Washington last week, Kyle Whittingham’s Utes will need to be sharp the rest of the way if they hope to end the drought. The task falls on the shoulders of Tyler Huntley, who has struggled so far this season. The quarterback has completed less than 60 percent of his passes, and has just four touchdowns to two interceptions.
6. Cal Golden Bears (2-0; previous rank: 8)
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Cal QB Chase Garbers, right, has the Golden Bears off to a promising start heading into Pac-12 play.
Last week: Beat Idaho State, 45-23
This week: Bye
Last week’s blowout capped an impressive start to the season for Justin Wilcox’s Golden Bears. Few thought the ground game would be the area lacking on offense for this team. Freshman Chase Garbers has settled in nicely under center, and he threw three touchdowns against Idaho State. The rushing attack remains a bit of a mystery: senior Patrick Laird (50 carries, 147 yards) entered the season as the presumptive starter, but sophomore Brandon McIlwain (23 carries, 129 yards) has almost matched his production with half as many carries. Cal’s defense has been even more impressive, holding its opponents scoreless in the first quarter all season. A Week 2 win at BYU, which beat No. 6 Wisconsin on the road last week, is the leading reason for Cal’s leap up our rankings.
7. Washington State Cougars (2-0; previous rank: 9)
UpdatedLast week: Beat Eastern Washington, 59-24
This week: at USC, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Wazzu can do just about anything on offense … when it plays the likes of Eastern Washington. The Cougars had drives of 99 and 98 yards in last weekend’s blowout. More important was the chemistry between QB Garner Minshew and sophomore receiver Davontavean Martin. Martin has 24 catches for 290 yards through three weeks, and Minshew leads the Pac-12 in passing with 1,203 yards. The Cougars will need to find alternate ways to move the ball if they hope to keep those numbers up. Mike Leach’s team rushed for just 41 yards last week, while it threw for 524. Wazzu could establish itself as a contender with winnable games against USC and Utah around the corner.
8. Arizona State Sun Devils (2-1; previous rank: 6)
UpdatedLast week: Lost to San Diego State, 28-21
This week: at No. 10 Washington, 7:30 p.m. Saturday
The Sun Devils wiped out the most impressive nonconference win in the Pac-12 by losing at San Diego State. ASU entered the game allowing just 1.1 yards per carry until it saw two Aztecs rushers hit the century mark. Manny Wilkins still looked sharp and N’Keal Harry did his thing, but the Sun Devils have struggled to find consistency running the ball. It won’t get any easier in Seattle this week.
9. USC Trojans (1-2, 0-1 Pac-12; previous rank: 6)
UpdatedLast week: Lost to Texas, 37-14
This week: Washington State, 7:30 p.m. Friday
The Trojans failed to convert on a heap of opportunity early in their schedule. Instead, USC heads into the bulk of Pac-12 play after consecutive losses that provided little — if any — cause for optimism. JT Daniels’ name is almost always immediately preceded by his status as “true freshman,” largely because he’s played like one. The Trojans have more scoreless quarters (7) than quarters in which they’ve scored points (5).
10. Arizona Wildcats (1-2; previous rank: 10)
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Arizona receiver Devaughn Cooper makes a diving catch behind the Southern Utah secondary.
Last week: Beat Southern Utah, 62-31
This week: at Oregon State, 1 p.m. Saturday
You’ve heard it before: It’s impossible to gauge where a team stands three games into a “New Era.” But the early returns here weren’t promising. Khalil Tate the Wildcats now head to Corvallis to kick off their Pac-12 schedule. The teams combined for 962 yards of offense last year, so don’t expect much defense in this one. Tate’s five passing touchdowns against Southern Utah don’t negate the fact he didn’t run the ball much — he just didn’t need to. The more susceptible Arizona looks on defense, the more answers Tate will have to provide on the flip side, and that largely means with his legs.
11 (tie). UCLA Bruins (0-2; previous rank: 10)
UpdatedLast week: Lost to Fresno State, 38-14
This week: Bye
It’s been three weeks since Chip Kelly named Wilton Speight the starting quarterback, and the Bruins have provided few answers since. Speight hasn’t played a snap since he left the season opener with a back injury. The senior participated in drills during Wednesday’s practice and will be available against Colorado next week, per Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times. Freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson took over in Speight’s absence, but has made more commotion off the field than on it. Thompson-Robinson’s dad openly criticized Kelly’s “lousy coaching” against Fresno State, when the quarterback tossed a pair of interceptions in a third consecutive loss. Michael Robinson tweeted: “It is all about the coaching, lousy coaching and play calling... Coaching that is so bad that it demands closed practices... Million dollar coach who bares (sic) no responsibility... Just random observations from a frustrated dad!” Kelly this week shook off the criticism and praised his freshman quarterback’s work ethic. Stay tuned.
11 (tie). Oregon State Beavers (1-2; previous rank: 12)
UpdatedLast week: Lost to Nevada, 37-35
This week: Arizona, 1 p.m. Saturday
OSU was a missed 34-yard field goal from its first winning streak since beating Arizona and Oregon in November 2016. A brutal loss to Nevada to close out nonconference play didn’t come without a glimmer of hope. Oregon State held Nevada scoreless for almost two quarters, from when the Wolf Pack punched in midway through the second quarter until their next score minutes into the fourth. OSU receiver Isaiah Hodgins tied Brandin Cooks and Mike Hass with a program-record 14 receptions. Hodgins’ 200 yards were a career high. Oregon State has lost 21 straight on the road, but gets Arizona at home this week in one of its best opportunities for a Pac-12 win.
Dominic Baciocco
Sports producer
