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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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TEMPE, AZ – OCTOBER 18: Stanford Cardinal defensive end Thomas Booker (34) celebrates a fumble recovery during the college football game between the Stanford Cardinal and the Arizona State Sun Devils on October 18, 2018 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ – OCTOBER 18: Stanford Cardinal defensive end Thomas Booker (34) celebrates a fumble recovery during the college football game between the Stanford Cardinal and the Arizona State Sun Devils on October 18, 2018 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Despite the fact that Bryce Love was hobbled for most of the game, the Stanford Cardinal were able to go on the road and get a big win against the Arizona State Sun Devils. The Cardinal have seen their College Football Playoff hopes fade away due to losses to Notre Dame and Utah in recent weeks, but this win kept them in the conversation for a Pac-12 North title.

Stanford got a solid effort from quarterback KJ Costello, who threw for 231 yards and a score against a very good Sun Devils defense. While Love rushed only 11 times for 21 yards, the Cardinal were able to control the ball for most of the game, thanks to a good effort by backup Cameron Scarlett.

JJ Arcega-Whiteside continued his run towards the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, catching seven balls for almost 100 yards while catching Costello’s only touchdown pass. Stanford has a monster game next weekend, as they take on Washington State, with a slice of first place in the Pac-12 North on the line.

The USC Trojans went into their game against the Utah Utes with a lot of confidence, as they have really turned their season around after losing two games in September. However, they ran into the Utes at the wrong time, as Utah blasted the Trojans, running up 41 points on a defense that had no answer for Tyler Huntley all game long.

USC had won three straight games, including wins over teams like Washington State and Colorado. However, a loss to the Utes was devastating to their chances of winning the Pac-12 South, as they conceded the divisional lead to Utah, and will have a long climb back if they hope to overtake them and represent the division in the conference title game.

Freshman quarterback JT Daniels had the worst game of his short college career and was replaced in the fourth quarter by Matt Fink. Fink actually played well, completing six-of-seven passes for nearly 70 yards and a score, but there should be no quarterback controversy for the Trojans. USC and Daniels will look to get back on track this weekend at home against Arizona State.

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