BTD’s Pac-12 Football Power Rankings: Week 9

USC’s reign of the top spot was short lived as their performance against Notre Dame left a black eye on the conference. The Arizona schools, however, continue their push up the rankings as they are collectively 5-0 against conference foes over the last three weeks. Let’s see what shook out over the weekend.

1. Stanford (#20 in AP Poll, 5-2 overall, 4-1 conference)

Last week: bye

In weeks seven and eight, we saw our number one ranked team go on to lose. USC’s loss is Stanford’s gain. Since the Beavers play the Cardinal this week, it seems fitting to put them here. Let’s see if the bad juju continues.

Up next: at Oregon State

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

Last week: bye

Another team to move up on a bye week is Washington. They should be chomping at the bit to host UCLA to get rid of the taste of their only loss.

Up next: vs UCLA

3. Washington State (#15 in AP Poll, 7-1 overall, 4-1 conference)

Last week: won vs Colorado, 28-0

The Cougars appear to be clicking again after completing their second shutout of the season last week over the Buffaloes. Things won’t get any easier as they play three of the next four games on the road.

Up next: at Arizona

4. Arizona State (4-3 overall, 3-1 conference)

Last week: won at Utah, 30-10

Are the Sun Devils for real? After handing the Huskies their first loss of the season, they go on the road and whip Utah. They’ll have a chance to move into first place in the South this week against USC.

Up next: vs USC

5. Arizona (5-2 overall, 3-1 conference)

Last week: won at California, 45-44

Arizona is now winners of three in a row after Khalil Tate has taken the reigns. He was stellar yet again, ripping off another 70 yard-plus touchdown run for the third time in as many games. Tate also collected his third straight Offensive Player of the Week.

Up next: vs Washington State

6. USC (#21 in AP Poll, 6-2 overall, 4-1 conference)

Last week: lost at Notre Dame, 49-14

That was awful. Our friends at Conquest Chronicles summed it up well with this tweet.

Up next: at Arizona State

7. UCLA (4-3 overall, 2-2 conference)

Last week: won vs Oregon, 31-14

UCLA was able to pull away in the second half against the Ducks while running back, Bolu Olurunfumi, climbed the ladder for a sweet touchdown run. The Bruins will have a tall task to travel north to face a hungry Husky team.

Up next: at Washington

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

Last week: lost vs Arizona, 45-44

California becomes the latest victim of Khalil Tate, but they were able to come back from two scores down to force double overtime. Fortunately, they’ll have a sputtering Colorado team next to try to keep pace for bowl eligibility.

Up next: at Colorado

9. Utah (4-3 overall, 1-3 conference)

Huntley came back for the Utes, but fans couldn’t have been happy with his four interceptions, including a pick-six, against the Sun Devils. After what was a surprising 4-0 start and a top 25 ranking, the Utes have now dropped three straight contests.

Last week: lost vs Arizona State, 30-10

Up next: at Oregon

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

Last week: lost at Washington State, 28-0

Colorado appears to have a quarterback controversy after getting shut out on the Palouse. With Steven Montez in midst of a sophomore slump, Sam Noyer will have a crack at taking the job as the Buff prepare for California.

Up next: vs California

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

Last week: lost at UCLA, 31-14

The Ducks hung for a half against the Bruins, but they couldn’t play catch up while struggling to amass any passing yards. With the Utes coming to Eugene next, I’m looking forward to seeing a box score with little to offer in the passing column.

Up next: vs Utah

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

Last week: bye

The Beavers didn’t lose, but it wasn’t quite enough to bump them up from the basement. They could make some noise this week against the conference’s best team (wishful thinking, I know).

Up next: vs Stanford