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Pac-12 power rankings, Week 5: Stanford gets back on track

By Brad Weiss

August 27th 2017, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia; College Football Sydney Cup; Rice University v Stanford University; Standford Cardinals running backs Cameron Scarlett and Bryce Love celebrate a touchdown; (Photo by Nigel Owen/Action Plus via Getty Images)
August 27th 2017, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia; College Football Sydney Cup; Rice University v Stanford University; Standford Cardinals running backs Cameron Scarlett and Bryce Love celebrate a touchdown; (Photo by Nigel Owen/Action Plus via Getty Images) /
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PALO ALTO, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins looks to pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter of their NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins looks to pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter of their NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
10

UCLA Bruins (2-2)

Last week: L 58-34 at Stanford
Last rank: 7

The UCLA Bruins looked like a contender to win the Pac-12 early in the year, as quarterback Josh Rosen looked like one of the best signal-callers in the country. While Rosen has continued to put up good numbers the last two weeks, the Bruins have been beaten twice, and now see their record sitting at 2-2 through the first four games. During the team’s blowout loss to Stanford last weekend, Rosen threw for nearly 500 yards, though he also had two big interceptions.

UCLA has struggled mightily to get anything going on the ground over the last two seasons, and they actually got a good effort from Soso Jamabo against Stanford. Jamabo rushed for 100 yards on only 12 carries, while finding the end zone once. Rosen had to throw the ball 60 times against the Cardinal, however, with Jordan Lasley and Caleb Wilson both catching 11 balls a piece.

The issue in this game for the Bruins was their defense, as they allowed 58 points to the Cardinal. Stanford running back Bryce Love ran all over the Bruins front, racking up 263 yards on the ground. As a team, Stanford rushed for over 400 yards, as they were able to utilize the run due to the fact they were playing with a third-string quarterback.

9

California Golden Bears (3-1)

Last week: L 30-20 vs. USC
Last rank: 8

One of the bigger surprises of the early Pac-12 season has been the play of the California Golden Bears. Most believed that Cal would finish at the bottom of the conference this season, as they were losing a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. However, Ross Bowers has come in and done a nice job in his first season as the team’s starting quarterback, and they were riding high heading into their home matchup against USC.

It was Bowers who struggled against the Trojans, as the Golden Bears blew a good opportunity to win a huge game in front of their home crowd. Bowers was a turnover machine in this one, coughing up the ball six times, which included four interceptions and two fumbles. Despite the turnovers, Bowers and the Golden Bears headed into the fourth quarter tied at 13, but USC would dominate the final frame in a 30-20 loss.

With under two minutes left in the game, Bowers hit Jordan Veasy for a Cal touchdown, pulling within ten points. That would prove to be the final points of the game for either side, and despite the loss, Cal has to be happy with how well the team is playing this season. They are going to get their fair share of wins, and just may finish near the middle of the Pac-12 in 2017.

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