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Pac-12 football power rankings: Championship Week preview edition

By Dante Pryor

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans hugs Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans after defeating the UCLA Bruins in the game at Rose Bowl on November 19, 2022 in Pasadena, California. The USC Trojans defeated the UCLA Bruins with a score of 48 to 45. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans hugs Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans after defeating the UCLA Bruins in the game at Rose Bowl on November 19, 2022 in Pasadena, California. The USC Trojans defeated the UCLA Bruins with a score of 48 to 45. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Oregon head coach Dan Lanning takes to the field with his team as the No. 9 Oregon Ducks take on the No. 21 Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, Nov 26, 2022.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning takes to the field with his team as the No. 9 Oregon Ducks take on the No. 21 Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, Nov 26, 2022. /

8. Arizona Wildcats (5-7, 3-6)

The Wildcats showed significant improvement, winning almost three times as many games this season as they did last season. The cherry on top of a season of progress was breaking its five-year losing streak to interstate rival Arizona State. The next significant objective for head coach Jedd Fisch is keeping top Arizona prospects in Arizona.

7. Washington State Cougars (7-5, 4-5)

It took some time for Incarnate Word transfer Cameron Ward to adjust to life in major college football, but once he did, the Cougars played better football. Ward did not throw an interception in the last five games of the season. The Cougs went 3-2 during that stretch, including a one-possession loss to No. 11 Utah. It definitely wasn’t Ward that allowed 50 points to Washington, either.

6. No. 17 UCLA Bruins (9-3, 6-3)

UCLA completed its finest season under head coach Chip Kelly. The Bruins have an opportunity to win ten games for the first time since 2014 with a postseason victory. Dorian Thompson-Robinson took a huge step forward in his development and the addition of Zach Charbonnet put pressure on defenses at the mesh point.

5. No. 16 Oregon Ducks (9-3, 7-2)

The Ducks had an opportunity to play for the conference title but were upended by their interstate rival, Oregon State. That said, the Ducks had a solid season considering a change in coaching regimes and philosophy. With success comes coaching turnover, and the Ducks have to replace offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, who takes over as head coach of Arizona State.

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