Pac-12 Power Rankings: The race for the title game is still close
By Dante Pryor
12. Colorado Buffaloes (1-8, 1-5)
Right now, two things are apparent in Boulder. First, they do not have a Power Five-level roster. Second, Mike Sanford is not going to be the permanent head coach. Colorado is a difficult job to evaluate. The Buffaloes have nice facilities and one of the most incredible stadiums — and mascots — in college football but haven’t had sustained success in a long time.
11. Stanford Cardinal (3-6, 1-6)
The Cardinal are going to struggle in this new age of college football. Players with remaining eligibility but have graduated transfer at a high rate because they cannot get into the graduate school at Stanford. Players do not transfer in at the rate they transfer out in Palo Alto. Football is not a driver at Stanford, either. The crowd shots on the Farm last Saturday tell that story quickly.
10. California Golden Bears (3-6, 1-5)
The Golden Bears made a game of it in the second half against USC before falling 41-35. California has struggled, losing five games in a row after a 3-1 start. The offense is vanilla as it usually is, but the defense has not played well, which is unusual. The losing streak could continue against Oregon State this weekend.
9. Arizona Wildcats (3-6, 1-5)
Speaking of teams on losing streaks, the Arizona Wildcats are on a four-game losing streak. The season began with promise and an improved offense, but the defense is still wrong. Arizona’s defense has allowed forty or more points in every game during the losing streak and in five of their six losses this season.