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Pac-12 Football Power Rankings, Week 3: USC makes case for No. 1

By Kyle Grondin

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Running back Vavae Malepeai #29 of the USC Trojans points to the sky after scoring a touch down in the fourth quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Running back Vavae Malepeai #29 of the USC Trojans points to the sky after scoring a touch down in the fourth quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 30: Quarterback Steven Montez #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes passes against the Colorado State Rams in the fourth quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 30: Quarterback Steven Montez #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes passes against the Colorado State Rams in the fourth quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Arizona State is the most unconvincing team in the country who’s undefeated. They slogged through the game against Sacramento State, winning 19-7 in the end.

There were signs of hope, however, as the Sun Devils racked up the yards. True freshman Jayden Daniels had 329 total yards, and Eno Benjamin racked up 163 total yards and a reception touchdown. The Sun Devils need to find the end zone going forward, as Michigan State and Colorado present higher competition.

Oregon responded in a big way in week two, dismantling a Nevada team that looked competitive after beating Purdue. They won 77-6, and Justin Herbert looked more like first half against Auburn Justin Herbert compared to the second half version. This team is going to be very tough to beat in a competitive north division.

Cal pulled off the upset, knocking off the Huskies in a weird, weather delayed game. This defense continues to look like one of the best in the country, forcing two turnovers, four sacks and frustrating Jacob Eason to only 162 passing yards.

The offense continues to look abysmal, but credit where it’s due, as the Golden Bears are 2-0.

After last week, when I said Colorado was a sleeper in the Pac-12, is when the Buffalo have one of the best games of the week, coming back to shock Nebraska 34-31 in overtime.

Let’s start with the positives: the offense is very good, and dynamic. They struggled in the first half against Nebraska until they let Steven Montez take over, and he threw for 375 yards and two touchdowns. They dominated on the ground in Week 1, and showed their ability to transform on a whim.

Now the defense, this is the second week in a row where they looked helpless at times. The Buffs gave up 17 points in the first quarter and were playing from behind the game. At the very least, this will be a wildly entertaining team. This team could be undefeated as they head to Oregon week six.

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