BTD’s Pac-12 Football Power Rankings: Week 14

The Conference of Champions has nine bowl eligible teams now that Utah and UCLA collected their sixth win of the season. Just missing the cut were Colorado and California who both started their seasons with three straight wins, but could only muster a 2-7 conference record.

1. Stanford (#14 in AP Poll, 9-3 overall, 7-2 conference)

Last week: won vs Notre Dame, 38-20

Stanford put on a beatdown in the fourth quarter against Notre Dame. Their impressive win over the Irish pushes them to the top spot in our rankings as the number two team on this countdown was embarrassed by the Golden Domers just last month.

Up next: Pac-12 Title Game vs USC

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

Last week: bye

The Trojans come into the Pac-12 title game with the pressure to end the North’s six year stranglehold over the title since the conference expanded to 12 teams. They have reason to believe they can do it since they already have a win over the Cardinal, but that was an eternity ago. Fans better hope they were doing more than just dancing during their bye week.

Up next: Pac-12 Title Game vs Stanford

3. Washington (#13 in AP Poll, 10-2 overall, 7-2 conference)

Last week: won vs Washington State, 41-14

Washington continues their dominance in the Apple Cup, making it five straight over Washington State. The Huskies have an outside shot at making a higher tiered bowl game with their non-conference schedule not looking as “cupcakey” as it did earlier in the year with Fresno State sitting at 9-3.

Up next: bowl game and chasing off their offensive coordinator

4. Washington State (21# in AP Poll, 9-3 overall, 6-3 conference)

Last week: lost at Washington, 41-14

Luke Falk may have four wins over the Beavers, but he is 0-4 against the Cougars’ bitter rivals. If that wasn’t enough for Washington State fans to mull over, now they’re worrying about their former athletic director poaching their head coach to come with him.

Up next: bowl game and keeping Bill Moos from poaching Mike Leach

5. Oregon (7-5 overall, 4-5 conference)

Last week: won vs Oregon State, 69-10

Oregon had a record breaking Civil War against lowly Oregon State, scoring the most points and largest margin of victory in the history of the rivalry. What hurt more than that was watching Royce Freeman break the Pac-12 rushing touchdown record held by beloved former Beaver, Ken Simonton.

Up next: bowl game and developing a backup quarterback

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

Last week: won vs Arizona, 42-30

Arizona State captured the Territorial Cup over rival, Arizona, but the party was short lived as head coach Todd Graham was fired the next day. Whoever the next coach should be happy to have a guy like N’Keal Harry on the team; that guy is good.

Up next: bowl game and finding a new head coach

7. Arizona (7-5 overall, 5-4 conference)

Last week: lost at Arizona State, 42-30

Just a few weeks ago, Arizona was one of the hottest teams in the country. Now they’re a different kind of hot.

Up next: bowl game and dousing the fire

8. Utah (6-6 overall, 3-6 conference)

Last week: won vs Colorado, 34-13

Utah was without starting quarterback Troy Huntley, but that didn’t seem to matter as Zack Moss bulldozed his way through the Colorado defense to carry the Utes to a rivalry week win and bowl eligibility.

Up next: bowl game and find another offensive coordinator?

9. UCLA (6-6 overall, 4-5 conference)

Last week: won vs Cal, 30-27

It looks like the Bruins played inspired as they won their regular season finale against Cal despite their head coach getting fired the previous week. Fans are excited for a new era though as Chip Kelly comes to town.

Up next: bowl game (and getting Chip settled)

10. Colorado (5-7 overall, 2-7 conference)

Last week: lost at Utah, 34-13

Last offseason we thought Colorado might have a rebuilding year because of all the departures on defense. Then they started the year 3-0, and then we thought, “well, maybe they just reloaded”. Fast forward to the end of the year and they’re last in the Pac-12 South.

Up next: figure out how who’s going to make up for the departed Phillip Lindsay

11. California (5-7 overall, 2-7 conference)

Last week: lost at Stanford, 17-14

California also started the year to a surprising 3-0 start after a head coaching change. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to keep that momentum up either. The did find a star in Patrick Laird who finished the season strong with four 100 yard rushing performances in the last five games to jump over the 1000 yard mark.

Up next: replace Beau Baldwin?

13. Oregon State (1-11 overall, 0-9 conference)

Last week: lost at Oregon, 69-10

Readers have told me multiple times through the season that #12 was too high of a ranking for the Beavers. After the drubbing that was the Civil War, I agree. How’s #13 sound?

Up next: scroll through twitter for coaching search updates