Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Edmond Boateng tackles a USC player on Oct. 4, 2014 in Los Angeles. ASU won against USC 38-34. (Photo by Alexis Macklin)The week the Pac-12 encapsulated what the rest of the nation experienced. Five top 10 teams lost, and every ranked team in the Pac-12 did, too. It caused some major shakeup in the power rankings, including a new No. 1 after UA beat Oregon in Autzen Stadium on Thursday.
1. No. 10 UA (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12)
Last week: Win, 31-24 at Oregon
Up next: Oct. 11 vs. USC
Until Thursday, the Wildcats had yet to get a marquee win. They were 4-0, but three of those games were near-losses to mediocre or worse teams. Then, they beat Oregon. UA went from unranked to the top 10 and is now one of the last 10 undefeated teams in college football. At least for this week, the Wildcats were an easy choice for No. 1.
2. No. 20 ASU (4-1, 2-1 Pac-12)
Last week: Win, 38-34 at USC
Up next: Bye
It's tough to put ASU No. 2, because the team has yet to really put a complete game together. While the upset of USC on the road was impressive, the Sun Devils were outplayed for about 57 minutes of the 60 minutes. Although, all that matters is they got the win, and that's what gets them the No. 2 spot. With the bye week, redshirt senior quarterback Taylor Kelly is expected to play against Stanford on Oct. 18.
3. No. 24 Utah (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12)
Last week: Win, 30-28 at UCLA
Up next: Bye
If the Utes hadn't lost to Washington State, they'd likely be No. 1 this week, despite UA's impressive win over Oregon. Utah's over UCLA was arguably equally impressive, if maybe s little less. But there's no doubt Utah has impressed this season. From its 4-1 start to beating Michigan in the Big House to beating UCLA at the Rose Bowl, this Utah team looks more and more like the real deal each week.
4. No. 12 Oregon (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12)
Last week: Loss, 31-24 vs. UA
Up next: Oct. 11 at UCLA
Poor Oregon. Its annual disappointing loss came extra early for the Ducks this season. However, in the long run, that will almost certainly be a good thing. College football voters have notoriously short memories, and if a loss comes early in the season, followed by a streak of wins, that team usually ends back up in the top 10 by the end of the season. Feasibly, if the Ducks win out — which is far from guaranteed — they could still make the College Football Playoff.
5. No. 25 Stanford (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12)
Last week: Loss, 17-14 at Notre Dame
Up next: Oct. 10 vs. Washington State
The Cardinal are six points away from being undefeated, with two marquee wins. And yet, they have just three wins and the same conference record as almost everyone else in the Pac-12. Stanford has looked good in every game this season, though it hasn't been able to close the door on USC or Notre Dame.
6. No. 18 UCLA (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12)
Last week: Loss, 30-28 vs. Utah
Up next: Oct. 11 vs. Oregon
After an impressive 35-point win in Tempe last week, UCLA wasn't able to follow up that performance with a win. Utah will give every team in the Pac-12 a tough game this season, but UCLA has no excuses for the loss. In fact, the Bruins were in almost the exact same scenario as the Sun Devils were against USC. Seven seconds left, UCLA and ASU were both down two. ASU was at the opponent's 46-yard line, UCLA was at the 43. ASU goes for the Hail Mary and wins; UCLA tries to kick the field goal and loses. It even benefited from a questionable running into the kicker call that made the kick a reasonable 50-yarder.
7. Washington (4-1, 0-1 Pac-12)
Last week: Bye
Up next: Oct. 11 at California
The Huskies were the only Pac-12 team on a bye last week. Originally, I thought that would help them. But Washington ends up slipping a spot in the rankings. Although Cal is 4-1 and atop the Pac-12 North standings, from a talent standpoint, Washington should blow out Cal. But you never know with the way this season has been going.
8. USC (3-2, 2-1 Pac-12)
Last week: Loss, 38-34 vs. ASU
Up next: Oct. 11 at UA
For the second straight season, ASU has dealt a major blow to USC's season. Last year, USC fired Lane Kiffin when the team landed in Los Angeles after the 62-41 blow out in Tempe. This season, the Sun Devils stole a game from the Trojans on the last play, a major emotional blow. USC has to bounce back quickly — it faces the undefeated UA Wildcats on Saturday.
9. Cal (4-1, 2-1 Pac-12)
Last week: Win, 60-59 at Washington State
Up next: Oct. 11 vs. Washington
Cal has a 4-1 record. Problem is, it doesn't have a defense. The Golden Bears haven't given up less than 49 points in any Pac-12 game. Luckily for them, though, they've scored 45, 59 and 60 points in those three games. Quarterback Jared Goff is coming into his own, and even if the defense continues to not show up, the offense on its own should win some games or at least keep the Bears competitive.
10. Oregon State (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12)
Last week: Win, 36-31 at Colorado
Up next: Bye
The Beavers haven't played a game in which they've looked like a team competing for a Pac-12 North title, as they were expected to at the start of the season — or at least finish close to the top. Quarterback Sean Mannion hasn't quite looked like himself this season, and with the Beavers' reliance on the passing game, they won't beat many good teams. Although they have four wins, they've come in close games against minimal competition.
11. Washington State (2-4, 1-2 Pac-12)
Last week: Loss, 60-59 vs. California
Up next: Oct. 10 at Stanford
The Cougars managed to lose a game in which their quarterback set an NCAA single-game passing record. That's how bad the defense is. Although, WSU did give Oregon a game, so it's tough to read the Cougars right now. However, they are tied for the worst overall record in the Pac-12 and already have four losses. Mike Leach's seat could be getting hot if the Cougars continue to give up points and lose games.
12. Colorado (2-4, 0-3 Pac-12)
Last week: Loss, 36-31 vs. Oregon State
Up next: Bye
Colorado is bad. Besides Washington, which has only played one conference game, the Buffaloes are the only team in the Pac-12 with no conference wins. The offense is talented and quarterback Sefo Liufau leads a potent passing game. But like Cal and WSU, there isn't a defense to match the offense. Expect Colorado to continue to give teams close games, but an 0-3 start in conference play all but eliminates it from even competing for a spot in the top half of the Pac-12 South.
Reach the reporter at ewebeck@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @EvanWebeck
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