Fansided

Pac-12 power rankings, Week 9: Washington State dominates

By Brad Weiss

PULLMAN, WA - OCTOBER 20: Butch the mascot for the Washington State Cougars performs during the game against the Oregon Ducks at Martin Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated Oregon 34-20. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA - OCTOBER 20: Butch the mascot for the Washington State Cougars performs during the game against the Oregon Ducks at Martin Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated Oregon 34-20. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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CORVALLIS, OR – OCTOBER 20: Quarterback Chase Garbers #7 of the California Golden Bears passes the ball during the first half of the game against the Oregon State Beaversat Reser Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OR – OCTOBER 20: Quarterback Chase Garbers #7 of the California Golden Bears passes the ball during the first half of the game against the Oregon State Beaversat Reser Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

The California Golden Bears came into their game against the Oregon State Beavers looking for their first Pac-12 win this season, and they dominated, winning by six touchdowns. Cal got a stellar effort from Chase Garbers, who returned from injury, and he really made the offense run, even though they were playing a far inferior team.

Garbers threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns against the Beavers defense, connecting with three different players for scores. One of those players was running back Patrick Laird, who not only made his presence felt in the passing game but definitely on the ground, rushing for nearly 200 yards against a terrible Beavers defense.

Cal had lost three straight games after starting the season off at 3-0, and this win could be a move in the right direction. They have one of the worst stretches in the conference coming up in the next five weeks, as they have to take on Washington, Washington State, Colorado, and USC. Good luck picking up a win the rest of the way.

Well, it took Chip Kelly a while to win his first game as head coach of the UCLA Bruins, but he has not lost since. Sure, it has only been two wins in a row, but the Bruins victory against Arizona on Saturday was a good, team-building one, as they used their backup quarterback to seal the victory.

Star freshman signal-caller Dorian Thompson-Robinson injured his arm in the second quarter, and the team had to turn to former Michigan starter Wilton Speight. Speight played very well in relief, tossing two second-half touchdowns, as UCLA came away with a close victory over the Wildcats at home.

UCLA has a short week this week, as they will take on the Utah Utes on Friday. Incredibly, with only two losses in the division, the Bruins are actually still alive when it comes to representing the Pac-12 South in the conference title game, but will have a huge test against the Utes. Utah has been dropping 40 on everyone in recent weeks, and the Bruins could be next.

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