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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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PULLMAN, WA – OCTOBER 20: PULLMAN, WA – SEPTEMBER 08: Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert (10) eludes the tackle of WSU linebacker Jahad Woods (13) during the game between the Washington State Cougars and the Oregon Ducks played on October 20, 2018 in Pullman, Washington at Martin Stadium. (Photo by Robert Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA – OCTOBER 20: PULLMAN, WA – SEPTEMBER 08: Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert (10) eludes the tackle of WSU linebacker Jahad Woods (13) during the game between the Washington State Cougars and the Oregon Ducks played on October 20, 2018 in Pullman, Washington at Martin Stadium. (Photo by Robert Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Oregon Ducks had one of their biggest wins in recent memory last weekend, as they beat the Washington Huskies in overtime in front of the home crowd. However, they had to go on the road to play another Top 25 team this past weekend, and they were not as lucky, as they were beaten by Gardner Minshew and the Washington State Cougars.

Minshew picked apart a very good Ducks secondary, and Oregon just could not keep up with them late. This was a one-score game late in the fourth quarter, but when Minshew connected with Dezmon Patmon with a little under four minutes left in the game, it spelled the end for the Ducks, who may have blown their chance to win the Pac-12 North.

Oregon star quarterback Justin Herbert, who many believe will be the first quarterback off the board in the 2019 NFL Draft, threw for 270 yards and a score against the Cougars. He also ran for a score, but when it came to running the ball as a team,  the Ducks could do nothing against the Washington State front. Oregon should get healthy this weekend, as they take on Arizona on the road.

When you look around the Pac-12 in recent weeks, there is one team who may be playing the best football in the entire conference. No, it is not Washington, Washington State, or even Oregon, but it is, in fact, the Utah Utes, who have seen their offense become one of the most explosive units in college football.

This past weekend, they welcomed the USC Trojans to town, and the Trojans came into the game playing some good football of their own. However, they ran into a juggernaut in the Utes, who have been getting great play from quarterback Tyler Huntley, and have scored at least 40 points in each of their last three games.

Huntley threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns against the Trojans, leading Utah to the top of the Pac-12 South Division. Utah got 136 yards on the ground from Zack Moss, and Britain Covey continued his monster season, catching four passes for 79 yards and a score. The Utes have an easy one on the horizon, as they travel to UCLA on Friday to take on a Bruins team with only two wins on the season.

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