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Pac-12 Power Rankings: Week 3

Sept. 8, 2012; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Matt Scott (10) is cheered on by teammates after beating the Oklahoma State Cowboys 59-38 at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE
Sept. 8, 2012; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Matt Scott (10) is cheered on by teammates after beating the Oklahoma State Cowboys 59-38 at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

There was a lot of dramatic movement this week in the ADS Power Rankings. Three Pac-12 teams pulled off unexpected upsets, one team lost to its in-state little brother, and another woke up Sunday morning with the kind of hangover that only comes from getting knocked around an SEC stadium.

Please send flowers and gift baskets to Coach Sark's Tigers at Practice Fund. Click on for this week's power rankings.

1) USC (2-0, 0-0) -Matt Barkley threw for 6 TDs and USC won a road/neutral-site game in New Jersey against an AQ school. If you are a USC fan, just read that first sentence. If not, let's be aware that Syracuse (Syracuse!!!) out-gained the Trojans.

Next:@ Stanford (2-0, 0-0)

2) Oregon (2-0, 0-0) - The Ducks beat Fresno State, 42-25, in a game that just felt like Oregon could've won by 50. I was pretty close to bumping Oregon up to a tie with USC, but the Trojans won on the road, and Oregon coasted at home.

Next: vs. Tennessee Tech (2-0, but does it really matter?)

3) UCLA (2-0, 0-0) - The Bruins upset B1G conference contender Nebraska in front of literally dozens of fans. It was actually 71,530, but the Rose Bowl sure doesn't look the same when 20% of it is empty. Huge statement win for UCLA and Jim Mora Jr. Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez still throws like a 6th grader, but in the past few years, UCLA probably loses this game by 30.

Next: vs. Houston (0-2, 0-0)

4) Oregon State (1-0, 0-0) - Well, Corvallis happens. Usually its USC when no one sees it coming. Saturday it was Wisconsin, and their vaunted rushing attack. The Beavers held the Badgers to 35 yards rushing, and played a little Saban ball in the process, sucking the life out of the game with 35+ minutes of possession and zero turnovers, en route to a 10-7 win.

Next: BYE

5) Arizona (2-0, 0-0) - Almost makes the last two worth it? No? Maybe a little. Arizona up-ended Oklahoma State and its 2013 super-duper-star quarterback Saturday night, 59-38. Matt Scott was brilliant, and the defense dialed up the pressure at the right times. Consider the expectations for 2012 Arizona Football elevated. The Cowboys may not be completely deserving of the #18 ranking they held Saturday, but this was a big early-season win.

Next: vs. South Carolina State (1-1, 0-1)

6) Stanford (2-0, 0-0) - The Cardinal fall out of the tie with Arizona due to beating the Dookies at home. You can only beat the team that lines up across from you, but Arizona won against a legitimate opponent. Stanford did not. The Cardinal jump right into the fire next week. They may be wishing for Nerd Bowl II, instead.

Next: vs. USC (2-0, 0-0)

7) ASU (2-0, 0-0) - The Sun Devils beat Illinois handily Saturday night. Arkansas was upset Saturday night and employs an interim head coach. Think Todd Graham didn't notice? Next week Sparky travels to (new) SEC country.

Next: @ Missouri

8) Utah (1-1, 0-0) - The Utes lost on the road Friday night to Utah State. It was Utah's first loss to Utah State in 13 contests. Dropping them to 8 may be a little harsh, but everyone up top keeps winning. Utah will climb back up as they seem to be better than they showed on Friday.

Next: vs. BYU (2-0)

9) Washington (1-1, 0-0) - There's nothing easy about traveling to Baton Rouge and playing LSU at night. That said, the Huskies did not even belong on that same field as both offensive and defensive lines were mauled all night long. The Dawgs should find this week's opponent much more hospitable.

Next: vs.Portland State (1-1, 0-0)

10) Cal (1-1, 0-0) - Cal beat Southern Utah by 19 at home. At the start of the 4th quarter, the Golden Bears were up 20-17. Cal fan: we finished strong! Everyone else: man, that seat must be getting warm underneath Tedford's Dockers.

Next: @ Ohio State (2-0, 0-0)

11) Washington State (1-1, 0-0) - The Cougs beat Eastern-half-of-the-state Rival, Eastern Washington, 24-20. The good news: Mike Leach's offense scored a touchdown for the first time in 2012. The bad news: the Cougs couldn't put any points up on the board in the 2nd half.

Next:@ UNLV (0-2, 0-0)

12) Colorado (0-2, 0-0) - Lost to Sacramento State. Does Kordell Stewart have any eligibility left?

Next: @ Fresno State (1-1, 0-0)