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Pac-12 power rankings, Week 6: Stanford down but not out, Oregon rebounds

ByBrad Weiss|
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal runs for a touchdown during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 29, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal runs for a touchdown during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 29, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/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 suffered their first loss at the hands of USC two weeks ago, and needed to respond in a big way to get back into the divisional conversation this weekend. They had a tough task ahead of them, however, as they welcomed Utah to town, and they were coming off a bye last weekend.

Down 24-21 entering the fourth quarter, the Cougars needed star quarterback Gardner Minshew to step up in a big way for them, and he certainly did that. Minshew hit Easop Winston on a touchdown pass with a little over four minutes left in the game, giving the Cougars the lead, and sending the home fans away with a victory that ran their record to 4-1 on the season.

For Washington State, Minshew has been a god-send, as he once again had another dominant performance, and this time against the No. 1 defense in the country. Minshew threw for 445 yards and three touchdowns against the Utes, and ran in a score, as Washington State got their season back on track. They will continue to get healthy this weekend, as they go to Oregon State to take on the 1-4 Beavers.

After losing two straight, the USC Trojans went into Arizona to take on the Wildcats looking to get their season back on track. The Trojans certainly looked good for most of the game, getting out to a 24-0 lead, but the Wildcats kept coming back, before losing 24-20 in front of their home fans against USC.

For USC, they got a solid effort from freshman quarterback JT Daniels, who is certainly going to be a good one in the Pac-12. While Daniels played well, it was running back Aca’Cedric Ware who really stole the show, as he rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns, spearheading a Trojans rushing attack that rushed for over 250 yards against the Wildcats defense in this one.

Marvell Tell III picked up an interception in the game, as the defense played well throughout, led by linebacker Cameron Smith, who could be a first round pick next April. USC heads into their bye week on a high note and will look to continue their winning ways in two weeks when they take on the Colorado Buffaloes at home.

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