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Pac-12 power rankings, Week 8: Oregon takes top spot, Is USC back?

By Brad Weiss

EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks passes the ball in the first half of the game at Autzen Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game 30-27. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks passes the ball in the first half of the game at Autzen Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game 30-27. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 29: Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) throws the ball during the college football game between the Oregon State Beavers and the Arizona State Sun Devils on September 29, 2018 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 29: Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) throws the ball during the college football game between the Oregon State Beavers and the Arizona State Sun Devils on September 29, 2018 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Arizona State Sun Devils knew they were getting a good coach when they hired former NFL head coach Herm Edwards, and he has done a nice job in his first season at the helm of the program. The Sun Devils have one of the more consistent quarterbacks in the conference in Manny Wilkins, who has done a nice job protecting the ball this season, tossing 11 touchdowns against only one interception.

One other bright spot on the offensive side of the ball has been Eno Benjamin, who looks to be one of the better running backs in the Pac-12 this season. Benjamin has rushed for seven touchdowns in 2018, is averaging 5.7 yards per carry, and has been the perfect compliment for Wilkins and the passing game.

Arizona State gets back rolling this weekend against the Stanford Cardinal, in a game that should be one of the best on the conference slate in Week 8. They suffered a big Pac-12 South loss to Colorado their last time out, and against a Stanford club that has been reeling, they will be looking to get their season back on track.

The Stanford Cardinals had the weekend off in Week 7, and their break could not have come at a better time. The Cardinal got off to a hot start to the 2018 college football season, getting out to a 4-0 record, but they have lost two straight, including a bad home loss to Utah the last time they took the field.

Stanford has had to deal with an injured Bryce Love for most of the season, and he has only rushed for an average of 4.3 yards per carry. KJ Costello has done a nice job under center, throwing for 12 touchdowns against only six interceptions, with eight of those tosses going to star wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside.

At 2-1 in the Pac-12 North, Stanford still has matchups against Washington and Washington State, so they are in no way out of the race for the top team in the division. They get back in action this weekend against Arizona State on the road.

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