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Pac-12 power rankings, Week 4: USC struggles, Washington rolls

By Brad Weiss

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 16: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #8 of the Washington Huskies is congratulated by a teammate after returning a punt for a touchdown against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Husky Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 16: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #8 of the Washington Huskies is congratulated by a teammate after returning a punt for a touchdown against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Husky Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Tyler Huntley #1 of the Utah Utes looks to pass the ball during their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 9, 2017, in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Tyler Huntley #1 of the Utah Utes looks to pass the ball during their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 9, 2017, in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /
4

Utah Utes (3-0)

Last week: W 54-16 vs San Diego State
Last rank: 5

Prior to the 2017 college football season, the Utah Utes made the decision to start Tyler Huntley over the incumbent senior starter, Troy Williams. While it came as a surprise to most people, they must have known what they were doing, as Huntley is tearing up college football at the present moment. He had another huge game against San Diego State this past weekend, as the Utes continue to string together solid wins early.

Huntley made a difference with his arm, and his feet, accounting for four touchdowns, and nearly 400 yards of total offense. He threw for over 340 yards and four scores, and his 53 rushing yards led the Utes against the Aztecs. The team rushed for 160 yards and two touchdowns as a unit, and are starting to look like one of the complete teams in the conference.

The most impressive thing about the Utes may not be Huntley, but the play of their defense this season. On Saturday, the Utah defense accounted for five sacks, and also hauled in two interceptions. They will take on the Arizona Wildcats next weekend on the road, and it is a near certainty that they will begin the 2017 season with a solid 4-0 record.

3

Colorado Buffaloes (3-0)

Last week: W 41-21 vs Northern Colorado
Last rank: 4

Last season, the Colorado Buffaloes surprised everybody, winning the Pac-12 West Division. This season, they have not surprised anybody, but are just one of the best teams in the conference once again. They have arguably the best defensive unit in the Pac-12, and with a quarterback developing each week, they should be able to be in a position to defend their crown this season.

Let’s start with the quarterback, as Steven Montez shook off a rough start to the season to be firing on all cylinders now. Montez threw for over 350 yards and four touchdowns against Northern Colorado, while also picking up nearly 70 yards on the ground. Star running back Phillip Lindsay also did some damage, racking up 151 yards and a touchdown, while four different receivers caught Montez’s TD passes.

The defense was solid all game long against Northern Colorado, and they will certainly be tested this upcoming week. It is a rematch of the Pac-12 Championship Game, and you can be certain the Buffaloes will be ready to play. A win in that game could propel them to the top of our power rankings, but they know better than anybody that the Huskies are going to be a tough offense to slow down.

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