It was a wild week in the Pac-12, with Oregon getting blown out by UA and ASU clinching the Pac-12 South with its victory over UCLA. Here are the Week 13 power rankings:
1(2). ASU (9-2, 7-1 Pac-12) – ASU did it. The Sun Devils won a big road game and are Pac-12 South Champions, defeating UCLA 38-33. It wasn’t easy, especially in the second half, but the Sun Devils now have won nine games for the first time since 2007. Some will argue Stanford belongs in the top spot, but the Sun Devils own the best conference record at 7-1 and can clinch homefield for the title game next Saturday at home vs. UA.
2(3). Stanford (9-2, 7-2) – It was no surprise Stanford clobbered Cal, but nobody expected junior quarterback Kevin Hogan to throw for five touchdown passes in the first half alone. Four of those went to junior receiver Ty Montgomery, who accounted for five touchdowns himself. Not only did the Cardinal demolish its rival, but it won the Pac-12 North in the process because of Oregon’s loss to UA in Tucson.
3(1). Oregon (9-2, 6-2) – Earlier in the week, two Ducks players said they were sick and tired of playing in the Rose Bowl. Thankfully the Ducks won’t have to worry about that anymore after getting blown out by UA 42-16. It was the worst performance in years for the once-predicted national champions and redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota, who threw his first two interceptions of the season. Instead of smelling roses, the Ducks won’t even sniff the BCS after that loss.
4(4). USC (9-3, 6-2) – Another week, another win for USC. This time it was a road victory over Colorado to seal a nine-win season with 10 wins now a real possibility. It’s crazy to think how well the Trojans have continued to play under interim head coach Ed Orgeron, who deserves coach of the year consideration.
5(5). UCLA (8-3, 5-3)– Missed field goals, late penalties and a slow start doomed UCLA’s chances of winning their third straight Pac-12 South title. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Brett Hundley played terrific in the second half, but the Bruins’ halftime deficit (35-13) was too much to overcome. A possible four-loss season awaits as the Bruins have to travel cross-town to face USC next week.
6(9). UA (7-4, 4-4) – If one was to say UA would go 1-1 at home versus WSU and Oregon, the smart choice would be to take the win over the Cougars and a loss to the Ducks. Things don’t always go as planned. The Wildcats knocked around the Ducks just seven days after being embarrassed by the Cougars, winning 42-16. Junior running back Ka’Deem Carey set the school mark for rushing yards while adding four touchdowns. The Wildcats can play spoiler again this week against ASU on the road.
7(7). UW (7-4, 4-4) – UW let its road frustrations out against OSU, dropping 69 points against the Beavers en route to a 42-point win. That was the first road conference victory all season for the Huskies, which ran for 530 yards on the night. The win should quell the uneasiness Huskies fans have felt since the ASU game, but WSU lurks, a team the Huskies were upset by last season.
8(8). WSU (6-5, 4-4) – Congratulations to Mike Leach and his WSU program, which became bowl eligible for the first time since 2003 with a 49-37 victory over Utah. The Cougars beat the Utes with defense (two interceptions returned for touchdowns) and junior quarterback Connor Halliday’s arm (488 yards, four touchdowns). A seven-win season is now possible for the Cougars a year after it won just three games last season.
9(6). OSU (6-5, 4-4) – As bad as the loss to Eastern Washington was, the drubbing UW put on OSU was worse. The Beavers were trailing 48-0 late in the third quarter and junior quarterback Sean Mannion threw three more interceptions, including a pick-six. It’s apparent now this is a very mediocre Beavers team looking at a six or seven-loss season after starting 6-1 and 4-0 in conference play.
10(10). Utah (4-7, 1-7) – The uphill struggle continues for Utah. The Utes have struggled since entering the Pac-12 and Saturday’s 49-37 loss to WSU was a microcosm of that. Sure, quarterback Travis Wilson is injured, but the Utes have one just one conference win all season, albeit against Stanford. It’s another disappointing season for coach Kyle Wittingham, who can try and save face against Colorado this week.
11(11). Colorado (4-7, 1-7) – Colorado had to beat USC to keep its bowl dreams alive but faltered, losing 47-29 to the Trojans. Junior receiver Paul Richardson was a stud again, catching eight passes for 88 yards and a touchdown, but it was nowhere near enough to keep up with the hot Trojans’ squad. The Buffaloes still have a chance to pick up a five-win season in coach Mike MacIntyre’s first year under the helm next week versus Utah.
12(12). California (1-11, 0-9) – Finally, this miserable season is over for California. Sure, the Golden Bears lost by 50 to its rival Stanford, but the program can take pride in the fact it won a game and has a future stud in freshman quarterback Jared Goff. Hopefully, 2014 will be better for coach Sonny Dykes’ team.
Reach the reporter at dsshapi1@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @DsShapi
