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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
PULLMAN, WA – OCTOBER 20: PULLMAN, WA – SEPTEMBER 08: WSU quarterback Gardner Minshew (16) delivers a pass to WSU running back Max Borghi (21) 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: WSU quarterback Gardner Minshew (16) delivers a pass to WSU running back Max Borghi (21) 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 Washington Huskies came into this weekend’s game against the Colorado Buffaloes fresh off a tough loss in overtime to the Oregon Ducks. However, they did not hang their heads against a very tough Colorado team, beating them pretty soundly on Saturday, as they continue their race to first place in the Pac-12 North division.

The Colorado Buffaloes had been one of the better teams in the conference this season, but have fallen on hard times in recent weeks. This game was a solid Pac-12 matchup during the first half, as the two teams went into the locker room with Washington up 14-13, but it was all Huskies after the break.

Washington was able to score 13 unanswered in the second half, and the dagger came in the fourth quarter, as Jake Browning hooked up with Aaron Fuller on a fourth-down pass for a touchdown. For Washington, it was just the game they needed to get back on track, and they should continue to get healthy this weekend, as they take on Cal.

The Washington State Cougars make a huge jump in our rankings this week, as they move from No. 6 to the top overall spot. Washington State played host to the Oregon Ducks this past weekend, and the Ducks were fresh off a huge victory over the Washington Huskies but ran out of magic against a Cougars offense that really came to play.

The Cougars were able to do whatever they wanted against the Oregon defense, as graduate transfer Gardner Minshew II continues to pick apart Pac-12 defenses on his way to a possible conference MVP award. Minshew threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns, as he had no issues against a Ducks team that stifled Jake Browning the week before.

Washington State has a big game on the slate once again this weekend, as they welcome the Stanford Cardinal to town. This game has serious implications in the Pac-12 North, and whoever wins will have a clear path at being the division representative in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

CFB Playoff rankings: Who replaces Ohio State?. dark. Next

Home/College Football