The state of Oregon holds a stranglehold on the top of the Pac-12 power rankings. This week Oregon looks to give Arizona State its first test in a Thursday night prime time match up. The Beavers take on the struggling Utes. The surprise season in Corvallis should continue for at least on more week.
USC continues to win, albeit with zero style points. The Trojans' only loss is the stinker they laid at Stanford, yet it feels like they should have proven more at this point. And, then there's Stanford, ranked below a team they beat. Why? They almost (and should have) lost at home to Arizona, looked particularly uninspired in a loss to Washington, and could not come away with a win in South Bend against an overrated Notre Dame.
Arizona State and Washington are practically inter-changeable at this point in the season, despite the major differences in the loss column. ASU has played nobody (besides Mizzou on the road, whom they lost to). Washington has had the much tougher schedule of late, and has come out of it with a .500 record somehow.
UCLA remains dangerous and currently sits only one victory away from bowl eligibility. They should get to bowl eligibility, but the toughest stretch of their schedule remains. Do Bruins like New Mexico?
Arizona was blessed with the mercy of a bye last week. Washington comes to Tucson this week. If bowl eligibility is still a possibility for the Wildcats, this Saturday night's game may be one we look back on as a turning point.
Cal showed some fight last week, but knocking off WSU is not going to make Tedford's seat any cooler. A bowl game seems unlikely with the strength of the remaining schedule.
Utah, Colorado, and Washington State. It's almost ski season. So, there's that. On to the rankings:
1) Oregon (6-0, 3-0)
Next: @ Arizona State
2) Oregon State (5-0, 3-0)
Next: vs Utah
3) USC (5-1, 3-1)
Next: vs. Colorado
4) Stanford (4-2, 2-1)
Next: @ Cal
5) Arizona State (5-1, 3-0)
Next: vs. Oregon
6) Washington (3-3, 1-2)
Next: @ Arizona
7) UCLA (5-2, 2-2)
Next: Bye Week
8) Arizona (3-3, 0-3)
Next: vs. Washington
9) Cal (3-4, 2-2)
Next: Stanford
10) Utah (2-4, 0-3)
Next: @ Oregon State
11) Colorado (1-5, 1-2)
Next: @ USC
12) Washington State (2-5, 0-4)
Next: Bye Week