Pac-12 power ratings: QB play is the best it has been in many years (How many? We looked)

Let’s start with a conclusion: For talent at the top and quality depth, the current collection of quarterbacks stands as the best the Pac-12 has produced since at least the 2015 season, if not the entire expansion era.

Six are performing at an efficiency level that ranks in the top quartile of the FBS: Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Oregon’s Bo Nix, UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson, USC’s Caleb Williams, Utah’s Cam Rising and Arizona’s Jayden de Laura.

The last time the Pac-12 produced a lineup that deep – for both talent and efficiency – the headliners were Vernon Adams (Oregon), Luke Falk (WSU), Cody Kessler (USC), Jake Browning (Washington), Kevin Hogan (Stanford), Josh Rosen (UCLA) and Jared Goff (Cal).

(All but Adams spent multiple years in the NFL.)

If the pace of performance keeps up, the Hotline will take a deeper dive into the data to determine exactly where this QB collection ranks compared to some of the Pac-12’s loaded quarterback classes of the past.

For now, our suggestion is simply to enjoy it – and send a note of thanks to the transfer portal.

To the power ratings …

Disclaimer: The Hotline power ratings don’t necessarily track with the order of teams listed on my Associated Press top-25 ballot, which is based on guidelines provided by the AP.

1. Oregon (7-1/5-0)

Last week: 1

Result: won at Cal 42-24

Next up: at Colorado (12:30 p.m. on ESPN)

Comment: Not only are Nix’s Heisman Trophy odds dropping (to 25-to-1), but he’s now within range of overtaking Williams (14-to-1) as the Pac-12’s top candidate, according to the latest odds from BetMGM.

2. UCLA (7-1/4-1)

Last week: 2

Result: beat Stanford 38-13

Next up: at Arizona State (7:30 p.m. on FS1)

Comment: We would argue that a 25-point bounce-back victory over Stanford better reflects UCLA’s progress than any win this season, with the exception of the win over Utah. In past years, the Bruins would have struggled with focus and execution.

3. Utah (6-2/4-1)

Last week: 4

Result: won at Washington State 21-17

Next up: vs. Arizona (4:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)

Comment: Not only was Utah’s win over USC the most riveting game of the conference season, it was the most punishing. A slew of starters from both teams were unable to play last Thursday (Utah) and Saturday (USC) – and that’s with an extra week of rest.

4. USC (7-1/5-1)

Last week: 3

Result: won at Arizona 45-37

Next up: vs. Cal (7:30 p.m. on ESPN)

Comment: Athletic director Mike Bohn didn’t hide his displeasure with the officiating at the end of the first half in Tucson, re-tweeting comments that were extremely critical, including: “I don’t know what was going on with the #Pac12 refs there, but again I think it is incompetence and not bias.” (We agree, by the way: There’s no bias.)

5. Oregon State (6-2/3-2)

Last week: 5

Result: DNP

Next up: at Washington (Friday, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2)

Comment: Even if quarterback Chance Nolan clears concussion protocol, we suspect the Beavers will stick with Ben Gulbranson, who is 3-0 since taking over.

6. Washington (6-2/3-2)

Last week: 6

Result: DNP

Next up: vs. Oregon State (Friday, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2)

Comment: Interesting circumstances for the Huskies, who have Oregon looming. Given the loss in Corvallis last year – and the Friday night stage this week – they should be locked on the Beavers. If they’re not, loss No. 3 will be forthcoming.

7. Washington State (4-4/1-4)

Last week: 7

Result: lost to Utah 21-17

Next up: at Stanford (12:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)

Comment: The bowl math remains favorable for WSU with the Arizona schools and Washington left on the schedule. Lose this week, however, and a do-or-die Apple Cup becomes the most likely path.

8. Arizona State (3-5/2-3)

Last week: 8

Result: won at Colorado 42-34

Next up: vs. UCLA (7:30 p.m. on FS1)

Comment: Calling our shot: ASU will topple the Bruins in a #Pac12AfterDark special. We don’t have a specific reason, just a gut feeling.

9. Stanford (3-5/ 1-5)

Last week: 9

Result: lost at UCLA 38-13

Next up: vs. Washington State (12:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)

Comment: “Two touchdowns in the past three games? Goodness, gracious, what a mess,” – Sincerely, the 1930s.

10. Arizona (3-5/1-4)

Last week: 10

Result: lost to USC 45-37

Next up: at Utah (4:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)

Comment: Just as a bad offense creates constant pressure on the defense to keep opponents out of the end zone, so does a bad defense generate constant pressure on the offense to reach the end zone. And both existences are emotionally taxing.

11. Cal (3-5/1-4)

Last week: 11

Result: lost to Oregon 42-24

Next up: at USC (7:30 p.m. on ESPN)

Comment: This marks the 11th consecutive season in which Cal has experienced a losing streak of at least three games. The ’22 edition is now four and counting.

12. Colorado (1-7/1-4)

Last week: 12

Result: lost to Arizona State 42-34

Next up: vs. Oregon (12:30 p.m. on ESPN)

Comment: The Buffs are officially eliminated from the postseason for the 10th time since joining the Pac-12. But not since the early years has the seventh loss come so quickly.