Stanford regained the top spot last week but relinquished it to Oregon once more following a loss to USC. Here are the Week 12 power rankings:
1(2). Oregon (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12) – It wasn’t pretty for the Ducks, but they got the job done, bouncing back from the Stanford loss to beat Utah 44-21. Junior running back De’Anthony Thomas had a nice game, returning a kickoff for a touchdown and catching a touchdown pass. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota looked to be at full strength, throwing for 288 yards and three touchdowns. The Ducks are back in the driver’s seat in the Pac-12 North following Stanford’s loss to USC.
2(3). ASU (8-2, 6-1 Pac-12) – It was a struggle once more for the Sun Devils, but they pulled out another victory to maintain their one-game lead in the Pac-12 South. The 30-17 victory over OSU marked just the fourth time in 36 years that the Sun Devils have six conference victories. The Sun Devils can clinch the Pac-12 South with a victory over UCLA at the Rose Bowl next weekend.
3(1). Stanford (8-2, 6-2 Pac-12) – No more postgame nerd glasses for the Cardinal. They fell by a field goal to USC, erasing all momentum the Cardinal had following last week’s impressive win over Oregon. Back-to-back Pac-12 title game appearances looks bleak for Stanford now. Two stats that helped key the Cardinal loss: negative two on turnover ratio and a blocked 30-yard field goal attempt that would have given the Cardinal the lead in the third quarter.
4(5). USC (8-3, 6-2 Pac-12) – Wow, USC is a different team under Ed Orgeron. The Trojans shook up the Pac-12 by knocking off Stanford for their fifth straight conference victory. The Trojans are playing as good of football as any team in the country right now, and it’s safe to say they are legit again. Only a matchup at Colorado separates the Trojans from a rematch with their crosstown rivals and the Pac-12 South title remains a possibility.
5(4). UCLA (8-2, 6-2 Pac-12) – Freshman Myles Jack continues to dazzle on both sides of the ball, but his four-touchdown performance against UW was surreal. The Bruins have continued to look good, but have fallen victim to outstanding performances from other Pac-12 teams, which explains their fall in the rankings. They have their chance to move up next week when ASU comes to town for the biggest Pac-12 South game of the season to date.
6(8). OSU (6-4, 4-3 Pac-12) – Junior quarterback Sean Mannion is quickly turning into an interception machine, throwing seven in his last two games after throwing just three in the first eight games of the season. The Beavers were never really close in the game against the Sun Devils, dropping their first road contest of the season. Next week yields a home matchup versus a UW team that hasn’t won on the road in conference play.
7(6). UW (6-4, 3-4 Pac-12) – UW still hasn’t won a road game in the Pac-12, falling 41-31 to UCLA. Senior quarterback Keith Price got injured and sophomore running back Bishop Sankey was limited to just 3.4 yards per carry. The season continues to trend downward for the Huskies and they have their last chance to pick up a road victory next week against OSU.
8(10). WSU (5-5, 3-4 Pac-12) – For once, WSU didn’t “Coug it” on the road, knocking off UA 24-17 and proved a whole lot to the folks in Tucson. It wasn’t pretty, but it was the Cougars' third conference road win of the season, and they are now a win away from their first bowl-eligible season since 2003. They’ll get that chance at home next week against a Utah team that has won only one conference game all season.
9(7). UA (6-4, 3-4 Pac-12) – The Wildcats’ loss to UCLA hurt a lot, but this one stung much worse. There were hopes two weeks ago of a Pac-12 South title and first-ever Rose Bowl appearance. Now, the Wildcats are sitting in fourth place in the Pac-12 South, freshly eliminated from title contention with Oregon coming to Tucson next week. Doesn’t sound like much fun for the Wildcat faithful.
10(11). Colorado (4-6, 1-6 Pac-12) – The Buffaloes won the battle of the conference bottom feeders, leaving California in the dust 41-24. It was an impressive victory for the Buffaloes, who have now quadrupled their win total from last year. Even being the 10thor 11th-best in the conference is a step up for the Buffaloes, who are continuing to make big strides in coach Mike MacIntyre’s first year.
11(11). Utah (4-6, 1-6 Pac-12) – Redshirt sophomore quarterback Travis Wilson was sidelined because of injury and backup Adam Schulz struggled, going just 13 for 30 for 181 yards while throwing a touchdown and interception. The defense looked strong, limiting the Ducks to 433 total yards and just 145 on the ground. It’s still hard to believe this team’s only conference victory of the season was against Stanford.
12(12). California (1-10, 0-8 Pac-12) – There’s no team in the conference that wants the 2013 season to end more than the Golden Bears. They got spanked by Colorado, solidifying their spot as the worst team in the Pac-12. Freshman receiver Kenny Lawler had another nice night, catching six passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. Thankfully, the Golden Bears pitiful season ends next Saturday against a Stanford team that might beat them by 50.
Reach the reporter at dsshapi1@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @DsShapi
