1. No. 5 Washington (6-0, 3-0 Pac-12)
The Huskies probably hated being off this week and losing some momentum after thumping Oregon two Saturdays ago, but they can't complain too much. Sitting in the top five in the nation with a Heisman candidate as quarterback, Washington gets to ease back into the schedule with an upcoming home game against Oregon State.
2. Colorado (5-2, 3-1 Pac-12)
The Buffaloes stampeded over ASU in every facet to get back on the positive side of things and keep their Pac-12 South title hopes alive. Senior quarterback Sefo Liufau was efficient and junior running back Phillip Lindsay gashed ASU en route to Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week honors.
3. No. 19 Utah (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12)
Ho-hum, the Utes are bowl eligible again. Yes, I know I had no faith in this team before the season, but that's when I forgot Kyle Whittingham is some sort of wizard that only wins weirdly close games. There's no reason Utah should have only beaten Southern Utah by 24 or Arizona by 13, but they did and here we are with the Utes on top of the South. Now they just have to hope they don't fade down the stretch like they did a year ago.
4. USC (4-3, 3-2 Pac-12)
Who would have thought after a heartbreaking loss to Utah to move the Trojans to 1-3 that they'd be back toward the top of the power rankings? USC has dominated its way to three straight wins to put the cardinal and gold back in the thick of things for not only a good bowl, but an outside chance at a conference title.
5. Washington State (4-2, 3-0 Pac-12)
Are the Cougars good? I don't think anyone is quite sure. Washington State has rattled off four wins in a row after dropping its first two to FCS foe Eastern Washington and Boise State. WSU got wins over Stanford — who I'm not sure is actually good — and UCLA, who was without sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen. ASU is the Cougars' next test, and Mike Leach is already making excuses if it doesn't go well.
6. Stanford (4-2, 2-2 Pac-12)
Maybe it's the mystique, but I still have some faith in the Cardinal. An uninspiring win over a bad Notre Dame team won't necessarily turn the season around, but a loss in South Bend could have sent Stanford spiraling. The offense is still one of the worst in the conference, but the hard-nosed Cardinal defense will carry them to bowl eligibility.
7. ASU (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12)
The Sun Devils turned out their worst offensive performance of the season, which is saying something after how they played at USC two weeks ago, and that's not even mentioning the ineptitude ASU showed while attempting to tackle. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Manny Wilkins did not look himself, despite his insistence that he's good to go. Maybe another week of treatment will get him ready for Homecoming against surging Wazzu.
8. UCLA (3-4, 1-3 Pac-12)
Sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen's injury leaves the Bruins in a tough spot. Needing to win at least three games the rest of the way just to make a middling bowl game, Jim Mora and Rosen must decide what's more important: immediate success or future potential. With a porous offensive line and underperforming skill players, Rosen is susceptible to hits and mistakes, and each big blow to his body could also be one for his wallet.
9. Oregon State (2-4, 1-2 Pac-12)
The Beavers have low-key been playing pretty well this season, which is a lot more than anyone predicted before the season. Oregon State has won twice and had legitimate chances to beat both Minnesota and Utah. Watch out for them to play spoiler at some point again this year, especially with games at UCLA and Stanford.
10. Cal (3-3, 1-2 Pac-12)
The Golden Bears are hopeful senior quarterback Davis Webb and redshirt junior wide receiver Chad Hansen will both play Friday against Oregon, not like the offense needs any help against air. After dropping a game it should have won in Corvallis, Cal is hoping it can get back on track by the bay with its defense, once again, doing just enough.
11. Oregon (2-4, 0-3 Pac-12)
The bye week could not have come at a better time for the Ducks. After Washington took out 12 years of frustration on freshman quarterback Justin Herbert, Oregon needed time to recuperate and try to keep Mark Helfrich's seat as cool as possible. Maybe, during their off week, the Ducks learned how to stop a slinky, if not Cal and its high-powered offense.
12. Arizona (2-5, 0-4 Pac-12)
The Wildcats are almost as bad at counting as they are at football right now. Since nearly knocking off Washington at home, Arizona has been outscored 129-61 and looks helpless. Injuries have plagued the team this season, but when you're only two wins are over Grambling and Hawaii, the only place for you is the cellar.
Reach the reporter at mtonis@asu.edu or follow @Tonis_The_Tiger on Twitter.
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