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Pac-12 power rankings: Stanford drops USC, Washington rebounds, Chip still winless at UCLA

By Brad Weiss

PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Stanford (20) Bryce Love (RB) runs up field being chased by USC (8) Iman Marshall (CB) during a college football game between the Stanford Cardinal and the USC Trojans on September 8, 2018, at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Stanford (20) Bryce Love (RB) runs up field being chased by USC (8) Iman Marshall (CB) during a college football game between the Stanford Cardinal and the USC Trojans on September 8, 2018, at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PULLMAN, WA – SEPTEMBER 08: Fans for the Washington State Cougars cheer for their team during the game against the San Jose State Spartans at Martin Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated San Jose State 31-0. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA – SEPTEMBER 08: Fans for the Washington State Cougars cheer for their team during the game against the San Jose State Spartans at Martin Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated San Jose State 31-0. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

On a night that started with a tribute to former quarterback Tyler Hilinski, who committed suicide back in January, the Washington State Cougars were able to come away with a blowout victory for their fallen teammate. Graduate transfer Gardner Minshew continues to play well in his first season at Washington State, throwing for over 400 yards and three touchdowns, while also finding the end zone on the ground.

In a 31-0 victory against San Jose State, Washington State racked up a ton of yardage, 544 to be exact, as they ran their record to 2-0. Davontavean Martin was the recipient of two of Minshew’s touchdown passes, as the Cougars made quick work of their second of three cupcakes to start the 2018 campaign.

After playing Eastern Washington this upcoming weekend, the Cougars will open up their Pac-12 slate with a road game against the USC Trojans. For Washington State, they have gotten great defense through the first two games, allowing only 19 points on the season, although it was against teams like Wyoming and San Jose State.

It was a typical Utah game for the Utes this past weekend, although they likely got a little more than they bargained for from Northern Illinois. Utah escaped the contest with a 17-6 victory, though they were only up 7-3 going into the fourth quarter, and were in serious danger of being one of the biggest upsets on the college football schedule in Week 2.

Tyler Huntley played decent football at quarterback, throwing for 286 yards, and Zack Moss continued his strong start to the season by rushing for 66 yards and a touchdown. However, had it not been for the Utah defense, this game could have easily been a loss, as they team need double-digit tackle efforts from both Cody Barton and Chase Hansen.

Hansen also had two sacks in the game, and while the Utes were lucky to come away with the win, they have a much tougher opponent on the docket this weekend. Utah will play host to the Washington Huskies in a game that could end up being a preview of the Pac-12 Championship. Washington’s offense was firing on all cylinders this past weekend, so Utah better get ready for a shootout on Saturday.

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