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Pac-12 power rankings, Week 5: Stanford surges, Oregon chokes, USC battles back

By Brad Weiss

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 22: Stanford University QB K.J. Costello (3) hands off to Stanford University RB Bryce Love (20) during a college football game between the Oregon Ducks and Stanford Cardinal on September 22, 2018, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.(Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 22: Stanford University QB K.J. Costello (3) hands off to Stanford University RB Bryce Love (20) during a college football game between the Oregon Ducks and Stanford Cardinal on September 22, 2018, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.(Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Washington State Cougars quarterback Gardner Minshew (16) in a game between the Washington State Cougars and the USC Trojans on September 21, 2018, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA.(Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Washington State Cougars quarterback Gardner Minshew (16) in a game between the Washington State Cougars and the USC Trojans on September 21, 2018, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA.(Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Washington State Cougars had a golden opportunity to make a real statement this past weekend, as they went into their matchup with USC sporting a 3-0 record. For the Trojans, they were fresh off back-to-back losses, and it looked like the Cougars just may be able to get a victory over them for the second straight season, after beating them at home in 2017.

Despite the fact that Gardner Minshew continues to carve up defenses in his first, and only season as the Cougars starting quarterback, USC was able to escape with a 39-36 victory. The loss for the Cougars was sealed when a game-tying field goal was blocked late in the fourth quarter, sending the Coliseum crowd into a frenzy.

Minshew finished the game with 344 yards and three touchdowns, as he ran his season total to 11 touchdowns. Washington State actually led this game at halftime by the score of 24-17, but could not hold on, as they really had no rushing offense to speak of against USC. They have another tough game this weekend, but they are home, as they welcome Utah to town.

The Utah Utes had the week off this past weekend and will look to move to 3-1 this season when they hit the road to take on the Washington State Cougars in Week 5. Utah has gotten strong play from Britain Covey this season, as he has proven to be the favorite target of quarterback Tyler Huntley, but it will be Utah’s defense that will have to step up if they are going to beat the Cougs on the road this weekend.

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