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Pac-12 football power rankings: Washington survives, Utah has USC’s number

By Dante Pryor

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 03: A general view of the PAC-12 trophy before the PAC-12 Football Championship football game between the Oregon Ducks and the Utah Utes at Allegiant Stadium on December 03, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 03: A general view of the PAC-12 trophy before the PAC-12 Football Championship football game between the Oregon Ducks and the Utah Utes at Allegiant Stadium on December 03, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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Pac-12 Power Rankings: Week 9
Oct 14, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Taj Davis (9) runs with the ball after a catch against the Utah Utes in the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-6, 0-4)

The Sun Devils are searching for that elusive first conference win. They did their best to get that first win against the No. 5 Washington Huskies. The roster, plundered by the portal, is thin and not very talented. Injuries have made matters worse for Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils. However, they play hard.

Arizona State has four one-possession losses this season, giving USC and Oklahoma State fits. The back half of their schedule is difficult, but they might pick someone off if they keep playing hard.

11. Stanford Cardinal (2-5, 1-4)

After its comeback win against Colorado, the Cardinal weren’t competitive against the No. 25 Bruins, losing 42-7. Are the Cardinal as bad as they were against the Bruins? Are they as good as in the second half against the Buffaloes? The truth is somewhere in the middle. We’ll see if there’s a win on the back half of the schedule.

10. Washington State Cougars (4-3, 1-3)

The Cougars have fallen to the middle of the conference in the last three weeks, losing to UCLA, Arizona, and Oregon. Quarterback Cameron Ward has thrown all three of his interceptions in the previous three weeks. Maybe Wazzu was overrated coming into 2023. However, they have a legitimate chance to win their next four games.

9. Cal Golden Bears (3-4, 1-3)

The biggest positive for Justin Wilcox and the Golden Bears is the offense does look better this season. Jake Spavital is working so far this season. However, the defense — usually a staple for a Justin Wilcox-coached team — has been inconsistent. Cal is 68th in rush defense and 98th in pass yards allowed.

Those numbers lead you to believe the Golden Bears are only good against bad defenses. That could be a harbinger of things to come with USC, Oregon, Wazzu, and UCLA left on the schedule.

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