This week’s Pac-12 power rankings see a big shuffling as Washington and Washington State suffer their first loss of the year.
It was an interesting week in the Pac-12, to say the least, and now there are questions as to whether or not the conference will be represented in the College Football Playoff. Both Washington and Washington State came into the week ranked in the top-10, with seemingly easy matchups on the docket. However, they both lost their games, and it is anybody’s guess as to whether or not someone from the conference will make the national semifinals.
Beating Washington was Arizona State, who was able to suffocate the Huskies high-powered offense. Washington State actually got the week started on the wrong foot for the favorites, losing to Cal on Friday night. Those losses, coupled with a Stanford win, moved the Cardinal into first place in the North Division, and they certainly look the part as of late.
USC beat Utah on Saturday night and now control the South Division. Sam Darnold threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions against a solid Utes defense, leading the Trojans to the victory. Colorado barely squeaked by Oregon State, and UCLA was drubbed by Khalil Tate and the upstart Arizona Wildcats.
With all of that said, let’s take a look at our Pac-12 Power Rankings heading into Week 8 of the college football season.
The Oregon State Beavers lost their head coach during the week, as Gary Andersen was let go by the University. Instead of hanging their heads, the Beavers went out and played one of their best games of the season, and nearly beat the Colorado Buffaloes in the process. The team got a huge game from star running back Ryan Nall, who rushed for over 170 yards and three touchdowns in the losing effort.
Still, this game was a good sign for the program, who could have easily packed in their season. These players loved Gary Andersen, so it must have been tough to suit up after he was let go. They remain at the bottom of our Pac-12 Power Rankings, but there were a few nice signs that the program is going to be alright without Andersen leading the way.
In fact, the Beavers actually had the lead with under two minutes left in the game, but the Buffaloes connected to go up three. When Jordan Choukair’s missed his 52-yard field goal with 0:10 seconds left in the game, it sealed the sixth loss of the season for Oregon State. The team was playing without star wideout Seth Collins, so you have to wonder whether or not they would have pulled out the upset victory if Darell Garretson had his top weapon to throw to. Oregon State continues their schedule at Washington State on Saturday.
In another bad loss, the UCLA Bruins looked terrible on Saturday night. Coming into the year, we all knew this team would only go as far as star quarterback Josh Rosen would take them, and he certainly did not help his team in this one. Rosen threw three interceptions against the Arizona Wildcats, basically sealing the third loss of the season for a team that was supposed to challenge in the Pac-12 South.
Rosen finished the game without a touchdown pass, which was a huge letdown for a player who came into the game leading the country in passing. The Bruins once again got a solid game on the ground, as Bolu Olurunfunmi came in for the injured Jalen Starks and got the job done. Starks rushed for over 60 yards before leaving in the second quarter, giving way to Olurunfunmi, who rumbled for 102 yards on ten carries, including two touchdowns.
Kenny Young and Jaleel Wadood led the defense, which had no answer for Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate all game long. Tate rushed for over 200 yards from his quarterback position, continuing to bring his team back when it looked like UCLA would make a run. The Bruins are pretty much out of it in the Pac-12 South, and while they may win at home against Oregon this weekend, they have seriously underachieved this season, in what will likely be Rosen’s last.