BTD’s Pac-12 Football Power Rankings: Week 8

Well, that was a fun weekend wasn’t it? Just when you think things are shaping up in the Pac-12, it will throw a curve ball at you. The top two teams from last week’s poll lost to teams in the bottom half, and then Khalil Tate ran wild on another bewildered defense. Let’s see how things shook out for this week.

1. USC (#11 in AP Poll, 6-1 overall, 3-1 conference)

The Trojans were just a two-point conversion from getting handed their second loss, but with both Washington schools losing on the road and scoring just ten points combined, USC jumped them in the AP poll.

Up next: at Notre Dame

2. Stanford (#22 in AP Poll, 5-2 overall, 4-1 conference)

The Cardinal are heading the right direction after four straight wins. This time they appeared to be settled on a quarterback as Keller Chryst took the majority of snaps during the lopsided win. Bryce Love left the game after what looked like a gnarly ankle sprain, but they were able to lean on their backups as the game was mostly in hand by then.

Up next: BYE

3. Washington (#12 in AP Poll, 6-1 overall, 3-1 conference)

Can Coach Chris Petersen blame this one on the late kickoff? Washington went down to the desert and managed only seven points. The difference was two chip shot field goals missed that could have potentially brought this game to overtime. The Huskies are still a good team and could potentially still run the table and make a case for the playoff.

Up next: BYE

4. Washington State (#15 in AP Poll, 6-1 overall, 3-1 conference)

What happened in Strawberry Canyon? After having their first five games at home, people were wondering how Wazzu would hold up to the second half of their schedule with five of the last seven games on the road. Perhaps we got our answer after watching the Cougs high flying attack muster just three points in their second road game.

Up next: vs Colorado

5. Utah (RV in AP Poll, 4-2 overall, 1-2 conference)

The Utes nearly pulled off the upset in the Colesium, so they don’t drop in this week’s rankings. Though they have lost two times in a row, it has been by a combined four points while missing their starting quarterback. We’ll see if they can bring Arizona State back down to earth after their shocking win over Washington.

Up next: versus Arizona State

6. Arizona State (3-3 overall, 2-1 conference)

How about that? Just when it was starting to look like things may head South for the Sun Devils, they pull off the stunner against the Huskies. That was the fourth of four games over the weekend where a top ten team lost to an unranked foe. Todd Graham just may have bought himself some more time to get things turned around in the desert.

Up next: at Utah

7. Arizona (4-2 overall, 2-1 conference)

Does anybody want to play Arizona right now? While Khalil Tate had another remarkable performance running the ball, let’s not go without acknowledging how efficient he has been with throwing the ball, going 21-26 for 302 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in the last two games. You wonder how long he’ll be able to keep this pace up.

Up next: at California

8. California (4-3 overall, 1-3 conference)

New California head coach, Justin Wilcox, just picked up his first signature win of his young career. The Bears were impressive holding the Cougars to just three points, while scoring 37 of their own. After their methodical beatdown of the Cougs, you have to wonder if OSU athletic director, Scott Barnes, is taking a harder look at Cal’s offensive coordinator, Beau Baldwin.

Up next: versus Arizona

9. UCLA (3-3 overall, 1-2 conference)

Down goes another victim of Khalil Tate, who is just making defenses look silly (seriously, like a bunch of Keystone Cops). The Bruins now sit at .500 and look to be trending the wrong direction. Fortunately, they’ll get the plummeting Ducks this weekend.

Up next: versus Oregon

10. Colorado (4-3 overall, 1-3 conference)

The Buffs picked up their first conference win over the lowly Beavers. Phillip Lindsay was his usual self with a stellar all-purpose effort, but quarterback Steven Montez looked off while getting chased by Beaver defenders. Colorado was able to win the game by going for touchdowns on all their scoring drives.

Up next: at Washington State

11. Oregon (4-3 overall, 1-3 conference)

What a difference one player makes. The Herbert-less Ducks found themselves in a hole early against Stanford and could not find a way out due to just completing five passes between their two backup quarterbacks. Too bad the Civil War isn’t this weekend.

Up next: at UCLA

12. Oregon State (1-6 overall, 0-4 conference)

A spirited effort brought a balance offensive attack for the Beavers this week in what was their best overall performance of the year. Unfortunately, the Beavers had the game’s lone turnover and settled for one too many field goals.

Up next: BYE