We’re starting to get a better feel of just how good each Pac-12 football team is going to be this season. Here’s how they stack up following Week 3.
There are BIG shakeups from the Week 3 Pac-12 Power Rankings. Through three weeks, we have learned a couple of things are true. The top and middle of the Pac-12 is very strong. The bottom of the Pac-12 is really bad.
Under no circumstances should Pac-12 teams be losing to non-power teams that aren’t top 25 teams. After beating Arizona State and Stanford in consecutive weeks, San Diego State has shown they are at least the 10th best team in the Pac-12 this season, but I digress.
I can say with a great deal of confidence that the Pac-12 is the best conference in the nation this season. The top six teams in the Pac-12 is better than the top six from any other conference. While you digest that, take a look at the Week 4 Power Rankings:
Before we even get to the analysis, I want to send some love to their QB Jake Luton, who was carted off in last weeks’ 52-23 loss against Washington State.
The Beavers are going nowhere fast. Especially without their starting quarterback. Gary Anderson’s team seems to be headed for a 1-11 season unless they can beat Arizona State on November 18th. Literally, the only bright spot for this team the fact that running back Ryan Ball has gone for over 100 yards rushing twice this year.
Week 4 Opponent: BYE
Finally, a sign of life from the Sun Devils. They lost to Texas Tech 52-45 but the team showed some offensive fire power. Their quarterback Manny Wilkens passed for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. The Arizona State offense looked efficient, explosive, and dangerous. Close your eyes when looking at the stats on their pass defense. Against Texas Tech the defense allowed 543 passing yards and six touchdown passes.
The Sun Devil better shore up the defense if they want to stay close against the Ducks.
Week 4 Opponent: No. 24 Oregon
So remember that thing I said about Stanford for sure finishing the season in the top three of the Pac-12 Power Rankings? Well, yea, that’s out of the question. Technically, the Cardinal could finish 10-2, but the way they are playing makes that impossible. When I watch Stanford play, I am more concerned about the defense. Their reputation is tough, hard-nosed, and aggressive. Their front seven is being pushed around by everyone they play against.
I expect David Shaw to find some solutions for his club this season, but he is not a miracle worker.
Week 4 Opponent: UCLA
What a surprise. Arizona cracked the top 10 of the Pac-12 Power Rankings. I know I shouldn’t give Arizona too much praise for beating UTEP 63-16. But, the Wildcats handled their business. They played a bad team and made them look bad. Brandon Dawkins will be in the Heisman conversation if he can put up Lamar Jackson numbers versus the Utes. Last week be had three passing and rushing touchdowns. I am a little concerned that Dawkins is being overused and will wear down ass the season progresses. I’m not sure if the fans or team cares as long as Arizona makes a bowl game.
Week 4 Opponent: No. 23 Utah
A 41-21 win over Norther Colorado is not going to exactly move the Buffaloes up the Power Rankings. However, this week Colorado has a golden opportunity to prove me right and move up the rankings. Washington is the most overrated team in college football this season, but they did win the Pac-12 last year so they do deserve respect. The Buffaloes defense has been stingy all year. If their quarterback Steven Montez can continue to be efficient with the football, and stop throwing it to the opposing team, Colorado can move up to a top four team.
Week 4 Opponent: No. 7 Washington
54-16 win against San Jose State. The good news for the Utes is two-fold. Firstly, the offense which hadn’t been explosive of put up a ton for points finally did. Secondly, Oregon transfer Darren Carrington II has been nothing short of sensational. He finished the game over 150 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. The Utah defense remains solid. The Utes are off to a good start but I haven’t seen enough to move them higher in a very strong Pac-12.
Week 4 Opponent: Arizona
How many times do Pac-12 teams have to lose early games in central or eastern time zones before they stop scheduling them? I really don’t understand. Memphis beat UCLA 48-45. Josh Rosen was in the midst of another spectacular performance, until two late touchdowns sealed the Bruins fate.
I am not penalizing the Bruins too harshly in the Power Rankings because some administrator allowed a ridiculous start time to get a nationally televised game. I pray the Pac-12 stops making crucial errors like that.
Week 4 Opponent: Stanford
The Ducks knocked off Wyoming 49-13. I keep getting hit up by Oregon fans with the same question, “Why do you have the Ducks ranked so low in the Pac-12 Power Rankings?”. Well the answer is two-fold. Firstly, The Ducks have only played one decent team, Nebraska, so far. Secondly, I am containing my optimism, and being objective.
This week against Arizona State will be a big test for the Ducks. Arizona State is not a top-tier Pac-12 team, but if you take them lightly or don’t bring your A game, they can beat you.
Week 4 Opponent: Arizona State
Go ahead Huskies fans, be mad and call me a hater because I went to Oregon. I am neither. I am doing what the playoff committee should do. Rank teams high who have played good competition, and rank teams lower that have not. The Huskies beat Fresno State 48-16 this week after wins against Montana and Rutgers. We literally know nothing about Washington except they won the Pac-12 last year. Washington fans should be unhappy because three weeks of your 12 weeks of college football have been wasted on bad teams.
Finally we will get to see the Huskies play a decent opponent.
Week 4 Opponent: Colorado
Surprise, Surprise, number 3??? I cannot believe Cal is sitting at 3-0 after their first three football games. Cal is making the Pac-12 look good after beating Ole Miss 27-16 last week. I don’t know what my former Oregon teammate Justin Wilcox is feeding those boys out there in his first year in Berkeley, but it’s working. Do you remember that Cal had been one of the three or four worst teams defensively for the past two seasons?
I am not superstitious, but Cal is wearing new uniforms this week, and it concerns me. They are getting too fancy and out of character. I am unsure about this upset now.
Week 4 Opponent: #5 USC
The Cougars destroyed Oregon State 52-23 last week. It was a very impressive outing by their quarterback Luke Falk, after whatever happened last week. I’m sure whether he was hurt, benched, or both. The Cougars defense is severely underrated by the media. This group can rush the passer and stop the run without blitzing. Every Pac-12 team needs to be on high alert because Washington State is for real. The Cougars are just as likely was Washington, USC, and UCLA to win the Pac-12.
Week 4 Opponent: Nevada
I take nothing away from the Trojans for taking double overtime to beat an unranked Texas squad 27-24. This was a rivalry game that was hyped up by every media outlet. The Longhorns knew they were in primetime and did not want to be embarrassed.
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USC is going to get everyone’s best shot. Sam Darnold has thrown two interceptions in each of the Trojans first three games. This is not good. I know two of the six aren’t his fault, because they hit his receivers hands, but none-the-less they are interceptions.
This week, the Trojans have the very antithesis of a trap game. Cal will not go away easily.