Utah Barely Remains Atop Pac-12 Power Rankings

Sep 23, 2019, 1:34 PM | Updated: 1:39 pm

Quarterback Tyler Huntley #1 of the Utah Utes looks to pass against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles ...

Quarterback Tyler Huntley #1 of the Utah Utes looks to pass against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Despite their 30-23 loss to the USC Trojans, the Utah Utes barely remain at the top of the Pac-12 South Power Rankings.

The conference had a major shakeup with some big wins like Cal over Ole Miss and Colorado knocking off Arizona State.

Also, a big upset when UCLA overcame a 32-point deficit in the second half to beat Washington State on the road.

Here’s the KSL Sports Pac-12 Power Rankings after the fourth week of the season:

NORTH

1. No. 13 Oregon Ducks (3-1, 1-0 Pac-12)

Result: Beat Stanford 21-6 on the road.

Recap: Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 259 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Jacob Breeland hauled in 5 catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Oregon held Stanford to just 120 passing yards and had an interception.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next up: Bye Week

2. No. 15 California Golden Bears (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12)

Result: Defeated Ole Miss 28-20 on the road.

Recap: Both teams had the lead throughout the first half, before Cal scored two unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter to get the big road win. Quarterback Chase Garbers had a career game with 357 passing yards and four touchdowns.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next up: vs. Arizona State (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12), Friday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN.

3. No. 17 Washington Huskies (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12)

Result: Beat BYU 45-19 on the road.

Recap: The Huskies jumped out to a 21-3 lead in the first quarter. They put the game away by outscoring the Cougars 21-7 in the third quarter. Quarterback Jacob Eason threw three touchdown passes to go with his 290 yards, completing 24 of his 28 pass attempts. Running back Sean McGrew racked up 110 rushing yards on 18 carries. Wide receiver Aaron Fuller had 8 receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next up: vs. No. 21 USC (3-1, 2-0 Pac-12), Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on FOX.

4. Washington State Cougars (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12)

Result: Lost to UCLA 67-63 at home.

Recap: The Cougars held a 49-17 lead with 6:52 left in the third quarter when UCLA rattled off 50 points and held Washington State to 28 points. It was the highest combined score in Pac-12 history. Quarterback Anthony Gordon had 570 passing yards and 9 touchdowns to go with two interceptions. Wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. hauled in 10 receptions for 114 yards and 4 touchdowns. Running back Max Borghi had 123 rushing yards on 15 carries, while getting two receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next up: at No. 19 Utah (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12), Saturday at 8 p.m. on FS1.

5. Stanford Cardinal (1-3, 0-2 Pac-12)

Result: Lost to No. 13 Oregon 21-6 at home.

Recap: The Cardinal couldn’t get anything going on offense and wasn’t able to find the end zone. Quarterback K.J. Costello threw for 120 yards and one interception, while running back Cameron Scarlett had a good game on the ground with 97 yards on 19 carries.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next up: at Oregon State (1-2), Saturday at 5 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

6. Oregon State Beavers (1-2)

Result: Bye Week

Recap: The Beavers are coming off of a bye week and will look for their first conference win and their second of the season when they host Stanford.

Previous Ranking: 6

Next up: vs. Stanford (1-3, 0-2 Pac-12), Saturday at 5 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

SOUTH

1. No. 19 Utah Utes (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12)

Result: Lost to USC 30-23 on the road.

Recap: The Utes couldn’t stop the passing attack of USC, despite facing their third string quarterback Matt Fink. The Trojans had just 13 yards rushing, but 368 yards through the air. Utah committed a lot of penalties as well with 16 for 120 yards. Quarterback Tyler Huntley carried the load after running back Zack Moss left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. Huntley finished with 210 passing yards and one touchdown, while running the ball 18 times for 60 yards.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next up: vs. Washington State (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12), Saturday at 8 p.m. on FS1.

2. No. 21 USC Trojans (3-1, 2-0 Pac-12)

Result: Beat No. 10 Utah 30-23 at home.

Recap: The Trojans lost true freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis for the rest of the game after just the second play. Third string QB Matt Fink filled in nicely with 351 yards and 3 touchdowns. USC won the game despite getting just 13 rushing yards. Wide receiver Michael Pittman hauled in 10 catches for 232 yards and one touchdown.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next up: at 17 Washington (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12), Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on FOX.

3. Colorado Buffaloes (3-1, 1-0 Pac-12)

Result: Beat No. 24 Arizona State 34-31 on the road.

Recap: Colorado had a seven point lead going into the fourth quarter before ASU tied the game early in the final period. With 2:03 remaining in the game, Buffs kicker James Stefanou hit a 44-yard field goal to give Colorado the lead and eventually the win. Quarterback Steven Montez passed for 337 yards and 3 touchdowns. Running back Alex Fontenot carried the ball 25 times for 89 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Tony Brown had 9 receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns.one score, while hauling in 8 receptions for 124 yards and another touchdown through the air.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next up: Bye Week

4. Arizona State Sun Devils (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12)

Result: Lost to Colorado 34-31 at home.

Recap: The Buffs took a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter before ASU tied the game. Colorado held a three-point lead at halftime. The Buffaloes had a one touchdown lead going into the fourth quarter when ASU tied the game early in the final period. With 2:03 left in the game, Colorado nailed a 44-yard field goal to take the lead and the defense held off the Sun Devils for the win. Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 345 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Running back Eno Benjamin racked up 80 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk hauled in 9 catches for 122 yards and one touchdown.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next up: at No. 15 California (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12), Friday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN.

5. Arizona Wildcats (2-1)

Result: Bye Week

Recap: Arizona is coming off of a bye week and will begin Pac-12 play at home against UCLA.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next up: vs. UCLA (1-3, 1-0 Pac-12), Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN.

6. UCLA Bruins (1-3, 1-0 Pac-12)

Result: Beat No. 19 Washington State 67-63 on the road.

Recap: The Bruins picked up their first win of the season in an instant classic over No. 19 Washington State. Midway through the third quarter, UCLA was trailing by 32 points. But they scored 50 points and held Washington State to just 28 to get the win. Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw for 507 yards, 5 touchdowns and one interception, while also running for 57 yards and two more touchdowns. Wide receiver Demetric Felton had seven receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

Previous Ranking: 6

Next up: at Arizona (2-1), Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN.

The full Pac-12 power rankings without divisions:

  1. Oregon
  2. California
  3. Utah
  4. Washington
  5. USC
  6. Washington State
  7. Colorado
  8. Arizona State
  9. Arizona
  10. Stanford
  11. UCLA
  12. Oregon State
  • Utah Utes Scoreboard

  • Utah Utes Team Leaders

  • Utah Utes Standings

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Utah Barely Remains Atop Pac-12 Power Rankings