Pac-12 Power Rankings: California schools, Utah dominant entering Week 6
By Gabe Encinas
Sep 26, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Travis Wilson (7) hands the ball to running back Devontae Booker (23) before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
This week’s Pac-12 Power Rankings sees the California schools make their case for the top spot but can the Utah Utes hold on after a bye week?
There has been a lot of parody in the Pac-12 this season, and we saw a lot of it this past weekend. UCLA looked to be a college football playoff contender and got stunned at home by Arizona State, who has had problems of their own, but might be coming to form.
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Stanford has finally come around and bounced back from their loss to Northwestern, and California has been squeaking out wins to compete for a Pac-12 North title. Meanwhile, Oregon is struggling on their own and need to get their quarterback and defensive situation in tact. Both the Washington schools have potential to take down a top opponent, but much like Oregon State, they can’t play a complete a game.
But despite the early loss for USC, they’re still in the driver’s seat for the Pac-12 North, with no losses to a Pac-12 South team. Arizona has crumbled due to injuries, and the expectations from last season have proven to be way too high. Colorado could be competitive this season, but then again maybe they won’t. And don’t look now, but Utah is climbing the ranks and has the potential to dominate this conference.
Utah will be tested on the national spotlight this week vs California, so we’ll see how they respond. They usually thrive as the underdog, being able to take down Pac-12 powers such as UCLA and Stanford in the past. Now, they’ve become the hunted, and should be interesting to watch they react with the lights all on them.
But now, there are about four Pac-12 teams who are still legitimate threats for a College Football Playoff bid. Only time will tell, and only the best will grind it out in arguably the best conference in college football.
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