Stanford Rises, Washington and Arizona State Fall in Week 5 Pac 12 Power Rankings
Saturday Blitz Pac 12 Power Rankings Week 5
12. Colorado Buffaloes, 2-3 (0-2), Lost to California Golden Bears 59-56 in Overtime Last Saturday
It’s unfortunate, really, that Colorado has to be this low because anywhere else, except for the SEC, they would be a middle of the pack team. The Buffaloes have looked like a very solid team ever since that opening game lost to Colorado State, and they could easily be 4-1 right now instead of 2-3 after a heartbreaking overtime loss to Cal over the weekend.
Colorado has found a very good passing game with Sefo Liufau, who has thrown an amazing 17 touchdowns on the year already. A good enough running game has made this a very high-powered offense, allowing the Buffs to stay true to their Pac-12 label. Unfortunately, also true to Pac-12 teams, the Buffs defense is terrible. But put the pathetic-ness of Pac 12 defenses on steroids, and that’s what you have with Colorado. It has given up 35.6 points per game through five games so far this year, and that includes 38 points to UMASS and 31 to Colorado State. That’s why they are at the bottom of the conference.
But unlike other teams at the bottom of the conference, the Buffaloes have a decent chance to make a bowl game this year. It would be extremely hard, but Oregon State and Washington could be wins at home, and Utah and Arizona have the potential to be major road upsets. It’s a long shot, but anything is possible.