The top five teams remained the same for the second straight week, while Cal retained its spot at the bottom of the league. Here are the Week 5 power rankings:
1(1). Stanford (4-0, 2-0 Pac-12): Stanford redshirt junior quarterback Kevin Hogan lit up the Washington State defense as he passed for 286 yards and three touchdowns in Stanford's 55-17 road victory in Seattle. The Cardinal amassed 560 total yards on the Cougars defense and face another difficult test, this time at home, next weekend against undefeated Washington.
2(2). Oregon (4-0, 1-0): Losing junior running back De’Anthony Thomas on the opening kickoff wasn’t optimal, but Byron Marshall rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the Ducks 55-16 victory over Cal. Thankfully, the Ducks have Colorado next week and can rest Thomas if his leg injury turns out to be serious.
3(3). UCLA (3-0): The Bruins were off this week, but face a very dangerous game at Utah following their second bye week of the season. The result of the game after the first bye week? A 41-21 domination on the road against Nebraska.
4(4). Washington (4-0, 1-0): The Huskies are 4-0 for the first time since 2001 and are playing some wonderful football. Sophomore running back Bishop Sankey ran a school record 40 times en route to a 31-13 Huskies victory over UA in their conference opener. Next week, they will be thrust right into the national spotlight on the road against Stanford, who the Huskies upset 17-13 last season.
5(5). ASU (3-1, 1-1): The Sun Devil offense was dangerously explosive against USC, putting up 612 yards of total of offense and 62 points. Senior running back Marion Grice pitched in four touchdowns and senior safety Alden Darby came up with three turnovers, including a 46-yard pick six. Now, Notre Dame and Dallas await the Sun Devils. The excitement is palpable.
6(6). Utah (3-1, 0-1): The Utes, who had a bye this week, don’t have a good shot to win the South this season but could really shake things up with an upset over South favorite and defending champion UCLA Thursday at home.
7(11). Oregon State (4-1, 2-0): Beavers' junior receiver Brandin Cooks continues to terrorize opposing defenses, catching nine passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the Beavers 44-17 victory over Colorado. Although they haven’t looked good for most of the season, the Beavers own the most Pac-12 conference victories heading into their bye week.
8(8). UA (3-1, 0-1): The Wildcats looked overmatched in their first real test of the season. Senior quarterback B.J. Denker looked awful, completing only 14 of his 35 passes for 119 yards and two interceptions. The Wildcats will struggle to beat quality opponents as long as Denker continues to struggle. Next up is a Thursday night meeting two weeks from now at the Lane Kiffin-less USC.
9(7). Washington State (3-2, 1-1): The Cougars kept it close in the first half, but Stanford proved to be way too much for Mike Leach’s squad to handle. The Cougars have a very winnable Pac-12 game next weekend when they travel to Berkeley to play Cal.
10(10). USC (3-2, 0-2): Lane Kiffin was fired early Sunday morning, junior wide receiver Marqise Lee injured his knee and the Trojans are now 0-2 in Pac-12 play following their loss to the Sun Devils. All things are pointing downwards for the Trojans now, who have until next Thursday before their next game against UA at home.
11(9). Colorado (2-1, 0-1): The Buffaloes looked rusty against the Beavers after their two-week absence. Four turnovers and six penalties didn’t help their cause, either. The road gets even more difficult with powerhouse Oregon traveling to Boulder this weekend.
12(12). California (1-3, 0-1): Opening up the conference season at Oregon is never fun, but add a monsoon and five turnovers, and that makes it downright miserable. Freshman quarterback Jared Goff was benched in the Golden Bears' 55-16 loss and Sonny Dykes’ team looks flustered. The Bears have a chance to right the ship next Saturday when Washington State comes to town.
Reach the reporter at dsshapi1@asu.edu or on Twitter @DsShapi
