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Pac-12 power rankings, Week 3: USC beats Stanford, UCLA impresses

By Brad Weiss

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Josh Rosen
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Josh Rosen /
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BOULDER, CO – SEPTEMBER 09: Colorado Buffaloes Laviska Shenault, #8 is all alone heading to the end zone, scoring on a fumble against the Texas State Bobcats in the first quarter at Folsom Field September 09, 2017. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO – SEPTEMBER 09: Colorado Buffaloes Laviska Shenault, #8 is all alone heading to the end zone, scoring on a fumble against the Texas State Bobcats in the first quarter at Folsom Field September 09, 2017. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
4

Colorado Buffaloes (2-0)

Last week: W 37-3 vs. Texas State
Last rank: 5

Two seasons ago, the Colorado Buffaloes were the laughingstock of the Pac-12. They struggled to win even one game in the conference, and it looked like the 2016 season would be the same story. However, they came out and won the Pac-12 South last season, and so far in 2017, they look like they are going to compete for the crown once again.

The defense has been the story the last two seasons, and the unit was on full display this past weekend against an overmatched Texas State team. Senior defensive end Leo Jackson III was a beast on Saturday, racking up three of the Buffaloes six sacks in the contest. The Buffaloes also had an interception in the game, and nine of their tackles went for a loss.

Colorado will likely move to 3-0 on the young season this weekend, as they play host to Northern Colorado. Quarterback Steven Montez looked much better under center in this one, bouncing back from a rough effort in Week 1 to throw for nearly 300 yards and a touchdown. Star running back Philip Lindsay had 87 yards and a touchdown as well, as Colorado looked really balanced throughout.

3

UCLA Bruins (2-0)

Last week: W 56-23 vs. Hawaii
Last rank: 6

Last season, we figured the UCLA Bruins would challenge for supremacy in the Pac-12. However, star quarterback Josh Rosen was hurt early in the year, and the Bruins finished near the bottom of their division. In 2017, Rosen is back healthy and is showing why he is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the country with his play early on.

A week after a stunning comeback victory over Texas A&M, Rosen shredded the Hawaii defense this past weekend. The sophomore racked up five touchdown passes in the team’s 56-23 victory while completing 22 of his 25 passes for over 320 yards. He hit Darren Andrews four times in the game, with three going for scores, as he solidifies himself as a potential first round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.

This game was a blowout from the start, as the Bruins led 35-7 by the time the two teams went into the locker room for halftime. One great sign that the Bruins may finally be a balanced offense was that they rushed for over 130 yards and two touchdowns against Hawaii. If the run game can do anything this season, the Bruins could certainly be in the discussion as one of the best teams in the Pac-12 when all is said and done.

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