Pac-12 Power Rankings: Washington State on the rise after big upset

4. Utah Utes (1-1)

The Utes took all their frustration from their 29-26 loss to Florida out on poor Southern Utah, routing them 73-7. It’s Southern Utah, but it is not easy to score 70 points on anyone, even an inferior opponent.

The Utes hope for three things for the rest of the season. First, Florida wins nine or ten games this year. Second, they can go into their October matchup with USC with just one loss. Third, the Playoff committee doesn’t write them off for losing to Florida.

3. Oregon State Beavers (2-0)

Suppose Oregon State can continue to play this well. In that case, their administration will have to figure out how to keep head coach Jonathan Smith in Corvallis because there could be suitors with lots of money or resources wanting his services.

The Beavers won one of the weekend’s best games against the Fresno State Bulldogs on a gutsy call by Smith to go for the touchdown instead of the game-tying field goal. After hosting FCS Montana State, the Beavers host #7 USC in its conference opener.

2. Washington State Cougars (2-0)

The Cougars pulled one of the more surprising upsets of the day, defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison 17-14 on Saturday. Ironically, Wisconsin transfer running back Nakia Watson scored both of the Cougars’ touchdowns against his former team.

Wazzu plays Colorado State before hosting #25 Oregon in their conference opener in Pullman.

1. USC Trojans (2-0)

One thing that stood out in USC’s 41-28 rout of Stanford was their play speed. No disrespect to the Cardinal, but the Trojans looked faster on both sides of the ball. USC was explosive and efficient against the Cardinal.

USC isn’t perfect, however. Stanford had some success, though much of it was when the game got out of hand. That said, no team on the schedule can either keep pace with their offense or slow it down until they play Utah in mid-October.