College Football Conference Power Rankings: Week 14

2. Pac-12

For much of the year, the Pac-12 lagged behind the ACC, Big Ten and SEC in what was viewed as a down year for the conference overall. However, a few late surges by top teams in the conference help the Pac-12 move all the way up to second in the Week 14 power rankings.

No. 5 Washington figured to get a test on the road against No. 23 Washington State in the Apple Cup. Instead, the Huskies dominated the Cougars, 45-17, to clinch the Pac-12 North and remain in contention for a spot in the national semifinal.

They will meet No. 9 Colorado, which earned the South crown with a solid 27-22 win over No. 22 Utah at Folsom Field. Mike MacIntyre has done nothing short of an incredible job to get Colorado to 10-2, as the Buffaloes’ only losses are to elite teams in Michigan and USC.

The No. 12 Trojans will likely join Washington and Colorado in the top 10 of the final Playoff Committee rankings. While three early losses disqualifies USC from playoff contention, the Trojans are arguably playing like one of the four best teams in the nation at the current moment.

That trio gives the Pac-12 the strongest top tier in the nation outside of the Big Ten. No. 24 Stanford is not far behind after topping Rice for its fifth straight victory, as David Shaw has quietly won nine games yet again.

Arizona at least salvaged one conference win by topping Arizona State, although Rich Rodriguez could still be on the way out. Much of the negative perception of the conference is likely due to down years from contenders Oregon and UCLA, both of whom finish the season with four wins after dropping rivalry week games against less talented teams.

While the Pac-12 doesn’t have a guaranteed spot in the playoff, Washington will be in good shape with a title game victory over the Buffaloes on Friday night.