Pac-12 football power rankings, Week 5: Colorado plummets

6. Arizona (3-1, 1-0)

When you are a middle-of-the-pack team in a major conference, there is a formula to getting to the postseason. First, beat the groups you are supposed to hit. Second, contend with the top teams and stay healthy. Motivate and keep players engaged through a streak of challenging games. Win the back half of the schedule.

Head coach Jedd Fisch can check the first box after its 21-20 win against Stanford. There is some question about Jayden de Laura’s health. He left the third quarter of the game with a lower leg injury. They have a slate of games that include No. 7 Washington, No. 8 USC, No. 16 Washington State, and No. 19 Oregon State.

5. No. 16 Washington State (4-0, 1-0)

Cameron Ward would like in on the Heisman discussion. The Incarnate Word transfer has been outstanding this season, throwing for 1,349 yards and 13 touchdowns while completing 74.5 percent of his passes. Ward threw four touchdowns in the Cougars’ win against No. 19 Oregon State.

The Beavers travel to Beverly Hills to take on the Bruins before traveling to Eugene to take on the No. 9 Oregon Ducks.

4. No. 10 Utah (4-0, 1-0)

When will Cameron Rising play? They’ve gotten by with a suffocating defense and physical running game. Utah still has to play Washington, USC, and Oregon this season. They’ll need Rising to win those games and a third consecutive Pac-12 Championship.

Connor O’Toole and Van Fillinger missed the UCLA game on defense. In addition to Rising, tight end Brant Kuithe has yet to make his season debut for Utah. This could be a dangerous team when they get healthy.