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Pac 12 Power Rankings Week 5: The conference has a new king

By Michael Valverde

Sep 30, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) celebrates with wide receiver Aaron Fuller (12) after a three-yard touchdown pass from Browning to Fuller during the second half at Husky Stadium. Washington won 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) celebrates with wide receiver Aaron Fuller (12) after a three-yard touchdown pass from Browning to Fuller during the second half at Husky Stadium. Washington won 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a pass against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a pass against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

The UCLA Bruins may not be getting the attention they should. Even though they have lost two games those contests have been against national ranked teams in Texas A&M and Stanford. They were also ranked 16th in the nation at the start of the season. The talent is there.

On the flip-side however, they have beaten UNLV, BYU, and last week against the Arizona Wildcats. Not overly impressive teams in their victories. Which leads to the question how good are the UCLA Bruins?

The first thing to look at is their defense. They rank 56th in total yards allowed, 35th against the pass. but struggling allowing yards in the run game as they are ranked 84th. When it comes to points allowed they are tied for 47th. As you can see they are middle to solid when it comes to the defense.

Their offense ranks 68th overall while their passing game is 20th, but their running game needs work as they are 111th and an obvious Achilles heal. They are also tied for 68th in points scored and averaging 28.2 points per game.

Facing an Arizona team that looked like the UCLA team as they were a .500 ball club, who lost to BYU as well in the last seconds to play, and to Washington by only a touchdown. Their two wins came against the unimpressive Grambling State and Hawaii, so this game was going to go a long ways in showing which team had potential and which may be a false image.

The Wildcats scored first, but UCLA returned serve with 24 straight points. Arizona would close the gap on a field goal and then a touchdown. While the next two drives showed these teams trade touchdowns, UCLA had the groove and followed up with two more scores to end the game.

Josh Rosen has struggled this season, so to see him in his element was nice to see again. He finished with 350 yards passing and three touchdowns and added a score on the ground. Even the running game got involved more as well. Nate Starks who has done little since taking over for the injured SoSo Jamabo rushed for 80-yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown.

Next up for UCLA is Arizona State in Arizona, this will be followed up by another travel game to Washington to battle the Cougars.

Next: Number 2. Stanford

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