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

Kevin Sumlin has experienced some growing pains in his first season as head coach at Arizona. After runs at Houston and Texas A&M, most felt the Wildcats would shine on offense under Sumlin, but the unit has struggled.

Khalil Tate has battled an ankle injury all season and was limited in a 42-10 loss to Utah. Rhett Rodriguez, the son of former head coach Rich Rodriguez, came on to throw for 226 yards and a touchdown. The defense, though, allowed six offensive touchdowns and 495 total yards.

Arizona is averaging 27.4 points per game and allowing 28.7. They are averaging 427 yards of offense and allowing just under 438. Numbers that are evident by a 3-4 record overall and 2-2 mark in the league heading into a meeting with UCLA.

While many teams were battling last week on the gridiron, Washington State and head coach Mike Leach rested. The Cougars, who have started the year 5-1, entertain Oregon in a key league showdown this Saturday evening.

Washington State benefited from the transfer of Gardner Minshew, as the former East Carolina quarterback has thrown for 2,422 yards with 19 touchdowns and just four interceptions on 313 attempts. He’ll be locked up in a matchup with potential No. 1 draft pick Justin Herbert of Oregon.

The Cougars have shown improvements on the defensive side of the ball, allowing 23.8 points and 311 yards. Teams are passing for just 163 yards against Wazzu, which has scored back-to-back wins over Oregon State and Utah since a three-point defeat to USC on the road.

Quarterback Tyler Huntley had himself a game vs. Arizona this past weekend, throwing for a touchdown, rushing in a score and even catching a pass for six in a 42-10 victory. Huntley finished with 201 yards passing, 64 yards rushing and 58 yards receiving in the game.

Zack Moss was part of a balanced 230-yard effort by the Utah ground game, as three different players had at least 53 yards and a touchdown. Moss finished with a team-high 68, giving him 617 on the season.

Huntley has thrown for 1,221 yards on 108-of-169, with Britain Covey – who threw the TD pass to Huntley – being his favorite target with 39 receptions covering 405 yards.

The Utes will be tested this week by a surging USC team, as they enter allowing just 16 points and 75 yards rushing per game. The Trojans are posting almost 152 yards a contest and scoring 26 points, so something has to give.

Entering last week 5-0 and in the top 20, Colorado appeared set to make a strong push towards the College Football Playoff. Instead, the Buffaloes were handled by USC and now face a disgruntled Washington team this Saturday.

Colorado was unable to get its offense on track vs. the Trojans, rushing for just 95 yards and throwing for only 170. They are still averaging almost 35 points and 453 yards per game, but face a stingy defense allowing just 16 and 315.

Laviska Shenault Jr. has been quite the producer on offense, catching 60 passes for 780 yards with six touchdowns, adding five scores on the ground. He has recorded four 100-yard games and four with 10-plus receptions, including a 211-yard showing vs. Colorado State.

Steven Montez has thrown for 1,590 yards with 11 touchdowns, while Virginia Tech transfer Travon McMillian leads the rushing attack with 560 yards and four scores.