Pac-12 Power Rankings: Are the #9 Ducks the best in the West?
By Dante Pryor
8. UCLA Bruins (3-1, 0-1): The Bruins looked like a contender in the non-conference part of their schedule. The offense looked like it was humming along with true freshman quarterback Dante Moore and Ball State transfer running back Carson Steele. Then they played Utah.
The offense stalled, and they could only muster seven points when Utah’s offense couldn’t score either. The Bruins were off last week ahead of hosting Washington State.
7. Arizona Wildcats (3-2, 1-1): The Fightin’ Jed Fichses enter a brutal stretch in their schedule over the next month. Seventh-ranked Washington was the first of four ranked opponents for the Wildcats. Quarterback Jayden de Lauria did not play against the Huskies and might be out for some time.
Running back Michael Wiley also missed the Washington game. Arizona needs them both if they want to make a postseason run.
6. #18 Utah Utes (4-1, 1-1): Pac-12 Power Ranking headquarters has officially released an All Points Bulletin to find Utes’ quarterback Cameron Rising. He’s been slated to play the last couple of weeks to no avail. There’s only one conclusion: Utah mountain men kidnapped Rising and took him to the Great Basin’s center.
It could also be that Rising’s knee injury was more significant than head coach Kyle Whittingham anticipated or let everyone know. They won’t compete for a third title if they don’t have him for the stretch run.
5. #15 Oregon State Beavers (4-1, 1-1): So far, so good for quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and the Oregon State Beaver offense. He and running back Damien Martinez have been difference-makers for the Beavs. They have a stretch of winnable games before ending their season with USC and Oregon.
If they can win all of their games before they play the Trojans, the Beavers could have a say about who wins the Pac-12.