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Pac-12 power rankings: A tint of Evergreen at the top of this week’s list

Washington State linebacker Erik Glueck (48) celebrates after the Cougars defeated USC in an NCA college football game on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017, at Martin Stadium in Pullman. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584

The Evergreen State finally has its golden era. The Huskies and Cougars haven’t been this good at the same time since … (combs through record books) … maybe never? At the rate they’re going, both would be frustrated winning fewer than 10 games and it probably isn’t too early to begin hyping another winner-take-all Apple Cup.

For now, the Huskies retain the top spot, the Cougars jump to No. 2 and everyone else seems … well, just a little irrelevant. Nonetheless, we rank them. Take a look.

1. Washington (5-0, 2-0; last week: No. 1) – Dante Pettis hasn’t taken a punt back for a touchdown in two games, but that’s the worst thing the Huskies have going for them at the moment.

2. Washington State (5-0, 2-0; last week: No. 3) – The Cougars rank No. 11 nationally in total offense and No. 19 in total defense. Wait no, it’s actually the other way around…

3. USC (4-1, 2-1; last week: No. 2) – There’s no official bye week for USC until after the UCLA game, but Oregon State at home is the next best thing. Sam Darnold and the Trojans need it, too.

4. Utah (4-0, 1-0; last week: No. 4) – Somebody has to step up and challenge the Trojans in the South. We should know this weekend if the Utes, who have Stanford at home, are halfway capable.

5. Stanford (3-2, 2-1; last week: No. 5) – Bryce Love scored an American football hat trick Saturday afternoon. He rushed for 100 yards three times.

6. Oregon (4-1, 1-1; last week: No. 6) – Which Big Sky quarterback wants to sign up with the Ducks before Wazzu comes to town Saturday?

7. UCLA (3-2, 1-1; last week: No. 10) – If they can’t take care of Arizona, it’s hard to see the Bruins winning three more times. But, that could solve one problem: Josh Rosen won’t have to decide whether or not he wants to skip UCLA’s bowl game.

8. Arizona State (3-2, 1-1; last week: No. 9) – The Sun Devils should drop to 0-5 after their next three games (vs. UW, at Utah, vs. USC), but they’ll have a legitimate to win their last four (vs. Colorado, at UCLA, at Oregon State, vs. Arizona) and vie for a bowl berth.

9. Cal (3-2, 0-2; last week: No. 7) – It won’t get any easier for Cal with Washington on deck and Washington State in the hole, so it’s likely the Golden Bears are 0-4 in Pac-12 play when they restart their postseason campaign three weeks from now.

10. Colorado (3-2, 0-2; last week: No. 8) – The Buffaloes became relevant in the blink of an eye last season. Their descent could be even quicker.

11. Arizona (2-2, 0-2; last week: No. 11) – Meanwhile, it’s been somewhat of a slow and painful death for the Wildcats, who’d need a few upsets to justify keeping their coach.

12. Oregon State (1-4, 0-2; last week: No. 12) – If Tres Tinkle can stay healthy, the Beavers basketball team should be able to avoid this spot most of the season.