A thrilling win for USC over UCLA keeps them atop the Pac-12 Power Rankings. Who takes the #2 spot?
Photo: John McGillen/USC Athletics
Article By Nick Battey
1. USC
Undoubtedly the best team in the Pac-12 this season, the Trojans are sitting pretty. A win in the Pac-12 Championship this week would book a trip to the Fiesta Bowl. USC deserves to be ranked much higher than #13 in the College Football Playoff rankings and USC will go for revenge against the Ducks after last season's blow out loss.
2. Washington
Such an unfortunate situation all around for the Huskies. First they can’t play their rival for the Pac-12 North in Oregon and then they can’t play for the Pac-12 title either. We hope everyone is doing well and we hope to see the Huskies in Bowl Season.
3. Oregon
Between the Pac-12 Championship game uncertainty and rumors surrounding Auburn’s interest in Mario Cristobal, this has already been a wild week in Eugene. Coming off the unplanned bye week, Oregon will try and get back on track and take the Pac-12 Championship for the second straight season against the mighty Trojans in Los Angeles.
4. Colorado
A disappointing end to the regular season for a team who was one of the bigger surprises in the entire country. Colorado will prepare for a Bowl game and could find themselves in San Antonio for the Alamo Bowl.
5. Stanford
A season of what could have been for Stanford but even still this was an impressive coaching job by David Shaw. The Cardinal have a lot of potential for 2021.
6. Utah
The Utes are just a couple plays away from being in the mix for the Pac-12 South but a huge win over undefeated Colorado is a huge boost for the Utes. Utah will take on WSU this Saturday.
7. UCLA
A heartbreaking last second loss at the hands of USC will never sit well in Westwood but UCLA has still had a successful year three with Chip Kelly as the team is clearly trending in the right direction The Stanford Cardinal come to Pasadena to finish the regular season in what should be a competitive game between two programs back on the rise.
8. ASU
The Sun Devils put on an all time performance that fans will remember forever when beat Arizona 70-7 and forced the Wildcats hand to fire Kevin Sumlin. Arizona State is a young team with a lot of dynamic playmakers and should make waves in the Pac-12 in 2021.
9. OSU
Every Oregon State loss this year has been a close affair and last weekend's game against Stanford was no different. You can see that the Beavers are trending in the right direction and 2021 could be a big year for them. We will get a taste of a few trendy teams for next year as OSU and ASU play this Saturday.
10. WSU
Another cancelation for the Cougs really limits evaluations of year 1 under Nick Rolovich but Jayden De Laura has been a bright spot in the few games we have been able to see so far. The Cougs will play one last game against Utah this Saturday.
11. Cal
Cal’s disappointing season ends with a couple lost games due to COVID contact tracing, Even though it didn’t come close to the expectations of competing for the Pac-12 North, the Bears are a program on the rise and should continue to cause problems for Pac-12 opponents in 2021.
12. Arizona
The good news is that a fresh start is coming in Tucson. The bad news is that it took a 70-7 embarrassment of a loss to Arizona State to make it happen.
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