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

Imagine visiting a place you knew very well, but haven’t been there in many years. Then you decide to return and everything you are used to seeing has changed. That feeling of being lost but knowing exactly where you are is what Stanford must have felt as the Washington Huskies absolutely destroyed them from beginning to end.

Looking over the season, the Cardinal defense looked good, but their offense is one dimensional. Are they creative? Yes, it’s a Sonny Dykes offense, but Christian McCaffrey is the only star on this team. They have a weakness in their passing game as senior Ryan Burns is simply a game manager. He has 546-yards and four touchdowns on the season to prove he is nothing more than that. They love to run McCaffrey and play great defense.

Their defense has been very tough. In their conference, they have allowed the least amount of yards. Easily one of the best defenses in the nation and the conference. They had only allowed two touchdowns prior to playing Washington.

Washington welcomed Stanford into their home knowing silence would take care of how they were feeling when kickoff began. Vegas pointed toward the Huskies by 3.5 points and OddsSharks  projected a 35-21 victory for Washington. Did anyone expect a 44-6 wallop? Seriously doubt it.

It took Washington seven plays and a little over three minutes to score their first touchdown. It went all down hill from there for Stanford. The Cardinal was down 30-0 before they could finally put their first points on the board in the third quarter. Burns connected with  JJ Arcega-Whiteside for a 19-yard touchdown.

Stanford will try to get back on track next week when they face Washington State and then Notre Dame the following week.

Next: Number 1. Washington