BTD’s Pac-12 Football Power Rankings: Week 13

Seven teams have bowl eligibility while four others sit at 5-6. Since those four 5-6 teams are playing each other this weekend, that guarantees the conference will have nine eligible teams.

1. USC (#11 in AP Poll, 10-2 overall, 8-1 conference)

Last week: won vs UCLA, 28-23

USC finished first in the Pac-12 South and now gets to enjoy a bye week before playing in the title game. Conquest Chronicles points out that Trojans were able to do this without a bye week, playing 12 straight weeks. That was also while it seemed like their head coach was under fire nearly the whole season.

Up next: Pac-12 Title Game

2. Washington State (14# in AP Poll, 9-2 overall, 6-2 conference)

Last week: bye

Wazzu had the benefit of some rest before heading into the Apple Cup against Washington. The Cougars control their own destiny in the race for the Pac-12 North. I love rivalry week.

Up next: at Washington

3. Stanford (#20 in AP Poll, 8-3 overall, 7-2 conference)

Last week: won versus Cal, 17-14

Stanford took care of business against Cal in the Big Game to make it eight straight against their rivals. Our friends at Rule of Tree make their case as masters in shade.

Up next: versus Notre Dame

4. Washington (#15 in AP Poll, 9-2 overall, 6-2 conference)

Last week: won vs Utah, 33-30

Washington was very fortunate to win their game against Utah. I’ll leave this win probability chart here.

Up next: versus Washington State

5. Oregon (6-5 overall, 3-5 conference)

Last week: won vs Arizona, 48-28

What a difference Justin Herbert makes for the Ducks. Just two weeks ago in their last game, the Ducks mustered just three points. He also takes a lot of the pressure off of Royce Freeman. And I got to say, “hats off” to defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt on implementing to correct game-plan to bottle Khalil Tate. I don’t feel good about the Civil War anymore.

Up next: versus Oregon State

6. Arizona (RV in AP Poll, 7-4 overall, 5-3 conference)

Last week: lost at Oregon, 48-28

Arizona and Tate were brought back down to earth after they were unable to score more than seven points in the second half to the Ducks. That pretty much dashes the Heisman hopes for Tate. At least the AZ Desert Storm can look at the lighter side of football during a losing effort.

Up next: at Arizona State

7. Arizona State (6-5 overall, 5-3 conference)

Last week: won at Oregon State, 40-24

The Sun Devils started out with a 30-0 lead on their way to beat up on the lowly Beavers. Arizona State should feel confident heading into their rivalry game with bowl eligibility clinched and home-field advantage.

Up next: vs Arizona

8. Utah (5-6 overall, 2-6 conference)

Last week: lost at Washington, 33-30

Utah finally returned their early season form as they pushed Washington to the limit. How about going with the fake punt on fourth and 17?

Up next: vs Colorado

9. Colorado (5-6 overall, 2-6 conference)

Last week: bye

You know who likely benefited the most from Colorado’s bye week? Phillip Lindsay.

Up next: at Utah

10. California (5-6 overall, 2-6 conference)

Last week: lost at Stanford, 17-14

Cal sure would have liked to clinch bowl eligibility by beating Stanford for the first time in eight years. They get one more shot this week against a UCLA fresh off firing their head coach.

Up next: at UCLA

11. UCLA (5-6 overall, 3-5 conference)

Last week: lost at USC, 28-23

Maybe UCLA will be re-energized with exit of their coach, a-la Oregon State, but a lot of good that did for the Beavers. If only Jim Mora Jr. had gotten to play the Beavers this year, he’d might still have his job.

Up next: vs Cal

12. Oregon State (1-10 overall, 0-8 conference)

Last week: lost vs Arizona State, 40-24

Up next: at Oregon