Pac-12 power rankings, Week 5: Stanford surges, Oregon chokes, USC battles back
By Brad Weiss
The teams in the Pac-12 Conference battled each other this past weekend, and in the marquee matchup between Stanford and Oregon, we got overtime.
Pac-12 teams are in the thick of their conference schedules now after eight teams played inter-conference games in Week 4. The biggest matchup of the weekend came between two top-25 teams, as No. 7 Stanford invaded Autzen Stadium in a matchup against No. 20 Oregon and escaped with an overtime victory.
How will that shake up the top of this week’s Pac-12 power rankings? Let’s find out.
The UCLA Bruins had the week off this past weekend, which is probably a good thing, considering how they have been playing over the first three games of the season. New head coach Chip Kelly has not been able to get his first victory running the Bruins football program, and it does not get any easier this weekend, as they head to Colorado to take on the Buffaloes on Friday.
The Oregon State Beavers took their third loss of the season this past weekend, as they played host to Khalil Tate and the Arizona Wildcats. While they were able to keep Tate in check, Wildcats running back JJ Taylor ran all over the Beavers defense, setting a Reser Stadium record for most rushing yards in a single game (284).
Oregon State once again went with Conor Blount at quarterback, as Jake Luton was ruled out with an ankle injury. He played decently under center, throwing for 137 yards and two touchdowns, but the Beavers once again showed they cannot play consistent football for four quarters.
Jermar Jefferson ran the ball well once again for Oregon State, and Hamilcar Rashed Jr. led the defense with 1.5 sacks. However, the offense averaged only 2.2 yards per carry, and it does not get any easier this weekend, as they hit the road to take on Herm Edwards and Arizona State.