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Pac-12 football power rankings: USC survives scare, remains on top

By Dante Pryor

PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 2: Ryan Walk #53 of the Oregon Ducks prepares to hike the ball during an NCAA Pac-12 college football game against the Stanford Cardinal on October 2, 2021 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 2: Ryan Walk #53 of the Oregon Ducks prepares to hike the ball during an NCAA Pac-12 college football game against the Stanford Cardinal on October 2, 2021 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) /
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Sep 24, 2022; Boulder, Colorado, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Gabriel Murphy (11) hits Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Owen McCown (7) in the first quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; Boulder, Colorado, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Gabriel Murphy (11) hits Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Owen McCown (7) in the first quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

8. California Golden Bears (3-1, 1-0)

After a close loss in South Bend against Notre Dame, the Golden Bears found a ton of offense against the Arizona Wildcats, exploding for 49 points. Freshman running back Jaydn Ott ran for 274 yards and three touchdowns against Arizona. California’s ability to play solid defense and run the football could be trouble for teams in the Pac-12 moving forward.

7. Washington State Cougars (3-1, 0-1)

The Washington State Cougars snatched defeat from the hands of victory in their 44-41 loss to the Oregon Ducks. Washington State looked like they were going to win this game going away. The Cougars had a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter and allowed 29 points in the final frame.

6. Oregon State Beavers (3-1, 0-1)

Oregon State had a great defensive game plan against the Trojans last weekend. Give USC credit; their defense kept them in the game and gave them a chance to win in the fourth quarter. As good as Oregon State’s offense had looked against Boise and Fresno State, they sputtered against the Trojans. Chance Nolan can’t throw to the wrong jersey as he did against USC.

5. UCLA Bruins (4-0, 1-0)

One could argue the Bruins have yet to be tested. Their wins against Bowling Green, Alabama State, South Alabama, and Colorado are not the most challenging of opponents, though South Alabama had an opportunity to pull the upset. We’ll know a lot about the Bruins over the next two weeks with games against No. 15 Washington and No. 12 Utah in consecutive weeks.

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