Major upsets shake up the Pac-12 Power Rankings
Photo: Derek Marckel
Article by Nick Battey
1. USC
USC seems to be the best team in the Pac-12 following the total domination of Washington State on Sunday night. It is quite puzzling as to why they are only #15 in the latest CFP rankings. But now the Trojans look forward to the Crosstown Rivalry against UCLA which could be one of the better matchups between the two teams in the past decade.
2. Colorado
Even after winning again this time vs Arizona, there still aren’t many people talking about Colorado and it looks like they could be boxed out of the Pac-12 Championship game due to no fault of their own. Just another potential unfortunate quirk in the year that is 2020. The Buffs are the real deal and deserve a chance at USC to prove it on the field.
3. UCLA
This is by far the best UCLA has looked in the Chip Kelly era, and soon they’ll look even better with the new Jordan Brand deal announced on Tuesday. Now they turn to undefeated USC to try and ruin their undefeated season and get UCLA back to a bowl game for the first time since the 2017 Cactus Bowl.
4. Washington
While an unbeaten season isn’t in the cards in year one under Jimmy Lake, everything is still in front of the Huskies with a potential Pac-12 championship appearance.
5. Oregon
There are many questions around what has gone wrong this year in Eugene. The past few weeks it was the defense but this past week it was the offense that struggled. Despite all of that, Oregon can win the North and a spot in the Pac-12 Championship game if the UW game is played this Saturday.
6. Stanford
An absolutely unbelievable job by David Shaw to move the entire team on the road to practice in public parks and not only compete but take down the previously unbeaten Huskies. They move way up on this list from not just their great play on the field but the circumstances it took to make the game happen at all off the field.
7. Utah
The Utes are finally on the board with a win, proving they were a much better team than the 0-2 record showed. Now after starting with USC, Washington and then Oregon State, Utah now gets undefeated Colorado up next. Talk about a brutal schedule.
8. OSU
Even after the loss in Salt Lake City, Oregon State has to be happy with how they played without Tristan Gebbia (out for the season) and Jermar Jefferson to still be in it with under a minute to go. Returning home to play a hot Stanford team will be another great test for the Beavers.
9. WSU
Coming back from a COVID break was not kind to the Cougars as the game against USC was over by the time the game started. Nick Rolovich will try and get his team back to .500 against Cal next week.
10. Cal
In one of the most surprising results of the season, Cal got their first win of the season vs Oregon. Justin Wilcox’s team continued to give the Oregon offense a lot of trouble as has been the case each of the past two seasons, holding the Ducks to just 17 points and zero in the second half.
11. ASU
It was very nice to finally see the Sun Devils back on the field after a long absence do to a COVID-19 outbreak. Even after the long layoff Arizona St. they took UCLA to the final minute before falling just short. The Territorial Cup is next and a great opportunity to get one in the win column for this otherwise forgettable year.
12. Arizona
There isn’t much more to say that hasn’t already been said about the Wildcats. It seems the
Kevin Sumlin era has been a failure and a change in leadership might be necessary very soon.
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