Pac-12 Football Power Rankings, Week 8: Washington State makes big jump
By Dana Becker
It was a picture-perfect weekend for Washington State, as the Cougars hosted College Gameday for the first time and earned a key victory over Oregon, climbing the Pac-12 football power rankings.
On the heels of that 34-20 triumph vs. the Ducks, Washington State jumped several places in the latest Pac-12 power rankings, slotting in right behind Stanford and rival Washington.
That gives the Pac-12 North division the Top-4 places in the power rankings, with Oregon coming in at No. 4 this week after tumbling from the top spot.
Utah, which bested USC and injured the starting and backup quarterbacks for the Trojans, are fourth and fifth.
Also, check out what Chip Kelly and UCLA have been able to do over the past two weeks. The Bruins are on the rise, winners of two in a row to even their conference mark at 2-2 and place them just a half-game back of division leaders Utah and USC.
Will UCLA make the Pac-12 title game? Doubtful, but at this point, who does want to win the South and challenge for the crown?
All 12 teams will be in league action during Week 8, including another showdown for the Cougars, as they head to California to meet Stanford. The Bruins also get the Utes at home on a Friday night, with a win putting them in the driver’s seat for that division title.
Here’s a look at the Week 8 power rankings in the Pac-12: