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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans passes the ball during the first half of a game against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans passes the ball during the first half of a game against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
2

USC Trojans (3-0)

Last week: W 27-24 2OT vs Texas
Last rank: 1

Despite the fact that they did, in fact, win their game this past weekend, the USC Trojans dropped to No. 2 in our power rankings this week. The Trojans looked lost for most of their win against the Texas Longhorns, who came into the game without a true starting quarterback. That kind of play is not going to work if they do make it to the College Football Playoff, and they look like they have some growing to do as a unit before they can get there.

The usual suspects were solid on Saturday night, as Sam Darnold controlled the offense very well throughout. The sophomore took the game over when he needed to and showed the kind of poise that will eventually make him the top pick in the NFL Draft. He and Deontay Burnett have developed an incredible relationship, as he hit Burnett eight times for over 120 yards and two scores.

The defense was able to buckle down when they needed to, but they still had to go to double overtime just to beat the Longhorns. Hopefully, for Trojans fans, it was just a bump in the road, but they do have to go on the road and play a much-improved Cal team this weekend. The true hero in this game was a walk-on true freshman in kicker Chase McGrath, who not only kicked the game-tying field goal in regulation but the game-winner in overtime.

1

Washington Huskies (3-0)

Last week: W 48-16 vs Fresno State
Last rank: 2

Sure, the Washington Huskies played Fresno State this past weekend, but they absolutely dominated them. Unlike their showing in the season opener against Rutgers, the Huskies offense was unstoppable in this one, as they quickly disposed of Fresno State. With the win, the Huskies vaulted into the top spot in our power rankings, as they look like the team to beat in the Pac-12 once again in 2017.

Quarterback Jake Browning continued his run towards a possible shot as a Heisman finalist, throwing for over 250 yards on 19-of-22 passing. He threw for four touchdown passes in the game, including three to star wideout Dante Pettis. Pettis had four touchdowns of his own, as he also returned a punt for a TD in the game.

Next: NFL Draft Big Board

The Huskies will take on the Colorado Buffaloes this weekend, in a matchup of the top defense and top offense in the conference. That game is going to go along way in deciding the Pac-12, as it could be a possible preview of the Pac-12 Championship Game. It is a rematch of last season’s finale, and both teams are heading into the game on an upward trend.

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