Pac-12 Football Power Rankings, Week 7: New No. 1 emerges

There’s a change at the top of Pac-12 football this week in the power rankings, as Oregon and Justin Herbert climb to the top spot.

Sure, the Ducks suffered a heartbreaking loss to Stanford, but they showed plenty of poise in earning the win inside Autzen Stadium.

USC also made a big climb, as the Trojans appear to be finding their rhythm as we work through October after a convincing win over previously-unbeaten Colorado.

Utah had no trouble with Arizona earlier in the week and Chip Kelly picked up his first win since taking over at UCLA with a 37-7 pounding of California on the road.

It was a short week out west, but plenty of interesting results. Here are the latest power rankings:

The good new for Oregon State last week was that the Beavers didn’t lose, as they were on a bye. Jonathan Smith and his coaching staff spent the time working on a way to get the ship headed in the right direction.

Oregon State hosts California this week as they try to snap a four-game losing skid. The Beavers have allowed 50-plus points in their last two games, and are surrendering 47 per contest this season.

Jermar Jefferson has been a bright spot on offense, as he has rushed for 865 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead the conference in yardage.

Since a 16-13 victory over Michigan State in early September, Arizona State has struggled, going just 1-3 with the lone victory coming vs. conference cellar dweller Oregon State. The Sun Devils, who had a bye, welcome Stanford for what should be an interesting contest this Thursday night.

Prior to the week off, Arizona State fell to Colorado, 28-21. Losses to Washington and San Diego State by seven points each show Herm Edwards has the Sun Devils close; they just aren’t quite there yet.

Eno Benjamin has shown himself to be a top running back in the conference, piling up 715 yards and seven touchdowns. Manny Wilkens has thrown for 1,446 yards with 11 touchdowns and just one interception, as N’Keal Harry leads with 34 receptions for 481 yards and five scores.

Being a California school, the games within the state are always important for bragging rights and in recruiting battles. But when one of those schools sits winless and scores a victory over another, that is double-trouble.

The Golden Bears suffered a lopsided 37-7 setback to UCLA and Chip Kelly this past weekend, falling to 0-3 in the conference and just 3-3 overall. Brandon McIlwain remained at quarterback, piling up 180 total yards with two interceptions, while Patrick Laird ran for 94 yards and a score.

California will have a good chance to rebound, as they meet Oregon State this week. But after allowing 157 yards and three touchdowns to Joshua Kelley, you can bet the Beavers will focus on using Jermar Jefferson against the Golden Bear defense.

Would you look at that? The Bruins are off their losing ways after a commanding 30-point victory vs. California. Joshua Kelley shined for head coach Chip Kelly, rushing for 157 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson had 141 yards passing, completing 13 of 15, with another 27 yards rushing to show his ever-growing skills. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak to start the year for Kelly, in his first season as head coach.

The Bruins will now take on Arizona in a “Pac-12 After Dark” contest this Saturday night as they look to move slowly up the ladder in the conference standings.