Pac-12 power ratings: Oregon retains the top spot as Washington State inches up, UW inches down
Power ratings based entirely on the scoreboard, except when they aren’t.
1. Oregon (4-1/1-1)
Last week: 1
Result: Lost at Stanford 31-24 (OT)
Next up: Idle
Line: N/A
Comment: Playcaller Joe Moorhead made a great case for himself as the conference’s top coordinator by missing the Stanford game (for a non-COVID illness): Anthony Brown specifically, and the offense generally, looked completely out of sync. Also, we wish him the best in his recovery.
2. Arizona State (4-1/2-0)
Last week: 4
Result: Won at UCLA 42-23
Next up: vs. Stanford (Friday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Line: Arizona State -10.5
Comment: If the Sun Devils approach their potential, they should win by double digits. If they give Stanford a sliver of a chance, it goes to the wire.
3. Oregon State (4-1/2-0)
Last week: 3
Result: Beat Washington 27-24
Next up: at Washington State (1 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Line: Oregon State -3
Comment: We were impressed with the Beavers’ resilience on two fronts: Level-setting emotionally after the USC game; and responding to UW’s back-to-back touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The mark of a contender.
4. UCLA (3-2/1-1)
Last week: 2
Result: Lost to Arizona State 42-23
Next up: at Arizona (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Line: UCLA -16
Comment: The Bruins now need help – in the form of an Arizona State loss – in order to win the division. Otherwise, little has changed. The question is: How much will they change?
5. Stanford (3-2/2-1)
Last week: 5
Result: Beat Oregon 31-24 (OT)
Next up: at Arizona State (Friday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Line: Stanford +10.5
Comment: David Shaw on the alleged ASU recruiting violations, back in June: “It’s a disrespectful thing to do. That doesn’t sound overly harsh. But for me being a lifer in this profession and a coach’s kid, I believe in respecting our profession and respecting the other people in the profession. Doing things that you’re not supposed to do just to gain an advantage, I take offense to that.” And here we are.
6. USC (3-2/2-2)
Last week: 8
Result: Won at Colorado 37-14
Next up: vs. Utah (5 p.m., Fox)
Line: USC -4
Comment: Calling our shot now: The Trojans absolutely will not give up 40 points at home for the third game in a row. Maybe the Utes get 39. But not 40. No way.
7. Utah (2-2/1-0)
Last week: 6
Result: DNP
Next up: at USC (5 p.m., Fox)
Line: Utah +4
Comment: No idea what to expect from the Utes, but it’s reasonable to conclude they were better off with the extra week to grieve Aaron Lowe’s shooting death. And that the emotional ebbs and flows Saturday night won’t be as dramatic because of it.
8. Washington (2-3/1-1)
Last week: 7
Result: Lost at Oregon State 27-24
Next up: Idle
Line: N/A
Comment: Arkansas State gave up 59 points on Saturday … to Georgia State.
9. Washington State (2-3/1-2)
Last week: 10
Result: Won at Cal 21-6
Next up: vs. Oregon State (1 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Line: Washington State +3
Comment: Jake Dickert’s defense should give WSU a chance to win most games. Whether Nick Rolovich’s offense is up to the task remains to be seen.
10. Cal (1-4/0-2)
Last week: 9
Result: Lost to Washington State 21-6
Next up: Idle
Line: N/A
Comment: Given their current play and the upcoming opponents, the Bears will be fortunate to win four games, much less the six required for a bowl berth. And that’s with Arizona and Colorado on the schedule.
11. Colorado (1-4/0-2)
Last week: 11
Result: Lost to USC 37-14
Next up: Idle
Line: N/A
Comment: When UConn looks like an offensive juggernaut by comparison, things are bad. Unfathomably bad.
12. Arizona (0-4/0-1)
Last week: 12
Result: DNP
Next up: vs. UCLA (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Line: Arizona +16
Comment: Based on what we’ve seen lately in Berkeley and Boulder, the Wildcats just might win two conference games.