Pac-12 Football Rankings And Reactions, Week 10
Week 10 Pac-12 football rankings and reactions. Every divisional contender won on Saturday, building a further wedge between the league’s haves and have-nots. Stanford wraps up the North Division with a win over Oregon this Saturday, while Utah beat Washington to maintain its one-game lead in the South.
Week 10 Pac-12 Football Rankings
1. Stanford: W, at Colorado 42-10
2. Utah: W, at Washington 34-23
This week’s trip to Seattle had landmine written all over it. The fact that the Utes got out of Husky Stadium with a victory speaks volumes about their ability to stay the course and hold on in the Pac-12 South. It was by no means pretty, but Utah rarely earns style points. But the defense created turnovers and RB Devontae Booker grinded out yards for the victory. The Utes now travel to Tucson before hosting UCLA in a game with major divisional implications.
3. USC: W, Arizona, 38-30
Saturday’s win over the Wildcats should have been a sizzle reel for potential replacements for Steve Sarkisian in 2016. Just about everyone making plays on offense are underclassmen, including RB Ronald Jones II, who exploded for a school freshman-record 177 yards and a score on only 19 carries. Troy was sloppy in pass defense, but remains in the South Division race as long as it keeps winning and Utah stumbles along the way.
4. Washington State: W, Arizona State 38-24
Impressive. Very impressive. The week after suffering a crushing loss to Stanford, Wazzu looked ripe for the picking, especially after falling behind early to ASU, 14-0. But in uncharacteristic Cougar fashion, the team regrouped on the fly to outscore the Sun Devils, 38-10, over the final three quarters. It was the response of a rapidly maturing team, one that’s officially in the postseason, with room to spare.
5. Oregon: W, Cal 44-28
It’s taken a while to get cranking, complicated by a hand injury to QB Vernon Adams. But the Duck offense has amassed a tailwind, rolling up a school-record 777 yards in Saturday’s third win in a row. Plus, the O-line is gelling, paving the way for 477 of those yards on the ground. While there’s zero margin for error, and two rugged games ahead, Oregon remains in the North Division race, with a do-or-die trip to the Farm coming on Saturday.
6. Arizona State: L, at Washington State 38-24
Assistants may lose jobs in December. The season has been that disappointing in Tempe. The Sun Devils now sit below .500, with remaining games against Washington, Arizona and Cal. Win two of three or the season ends Nov. 28 in Berkeley. The defense has been painfully soft, particularly through the air, and QB Mike Bercovici has been unable to compensate on the offensive side of the ball.
7. UCLA: W, at Oregon State 41-0
Forget the opponent. The Bruins needed this kind of a blowout after struggling to dispose of Colorado last weekend at the Rose Bowl. UCLA shredded Oregon State in every imaginable phase, outgaining the Beavers, 674-246. QB Josh Rosen was crisp, the backs ran hard and the defense had four turnovers. It was a great tune-up as the Bruins prep for a stretch run against Wazzu, Utah and USC that’ll decide the South Division.
8. Cal: L, at Oregon 44-28
The Bears can’t stop the hemorrhaging, losing for the fourth straight time. The defense was mauled, Jared Goff struggled … and Cal still needs one more win to become bowl eligible. The front seven was trucked at the point of attack, exposing the defense’s issues with size and depth on the first and second levels. The Bears better not stumble this week against Oregon State, because the pressure to cop that sixth grows exponentially with each passing week.
9. Washington: L, Utah, 34-23
One step forward, two steps back. It’s the trademark of a young team that has talent, but not a lot of proven veterans with the know-how to win consistently. The Huskies turned the ball over four times Saturday night, squandering a chance to defeat Utah and slipping back under .500. U-Dub really needs extra time with its kids, but a postseason game only becomes possible with two wins in the final three games versus Arizona State, Oregon State and Washington State.
10. Arizona: L, at USC 38-30
Will the Wildcats miserable 2015 campaign have any impact on RichRod’s future in Tucson? Oh, he’s not getting canned, but he could generate interest from schools, like Virginia Tech, Miami or South Carolina, on the opposite coast. Arizona has never been right this year, particularly after losing heart-and-soul LB Scooby Wright to injury. At 5-5, the Cats must either upset Utah or win the Territorial Cup in Tempe to continue playing in December.
11. Colorado: L, Stanford 42-10
The same team that almost upset UCLA a week ago didn’t show up on Saturday. The Buffs were mauled, shining a light on their issues with a lack of strength and depth at the point of attack. And while baby steps are being taken under Mike MacIntyre, barring some miracle season-ending three-game winning streak, Colorado will not be a part of the bowl season for an eighth straight year.
12. Oregon State: L, UCLA 41-0
For Gary Andersen and his kids, the offseason cannot come soon enough. If the Beavers aren’t the worst Power Five team in America, they’re certainly in the discussion. Oregon State has lost six straight and is winless in Pac-12 play. With nothing tangible to gain in 2015, Andersen and the staff have already begun to turn their attention to 2016, getting long looks at players who’ll help form the foundation of the future.
