USC Remains No. 1 Team In KSL Sports Pac-12 Power Rankings

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The USC Trojans picked up a big win over the UCLA Bruins and have now clinched the Pac-12 South Division.

The Trojans will host the Washington Huskies in the Pac-12 Championship game on Friday, December 18. The conference will also have backup options if Washington or USC can’t play in the title game. Oregon will be the North Division backup, while Colorado will be the South Division backup.

Here is the KSL Sports Pac-12 Power Rankings ahead of the seventh week of the 2020 season.

North Division

1. Washington Huskies (3-1)

Previous Result: Game Canceled

Recap: Washington’s game against Oregon was canceled due to COVID-19 cases in the Huskies program. Despite not playing last week, Washington clinched the Pac-12 North Division and will face USC in the conference championship game.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next Up: @ No. 15 USC Trojans (5-0) on Friday, December 18 at 6 p.m. MST on FOX

Statements regarding this Saturday’s @UW_Football game at Oregon.

— Washington Athletics (@UWAthletics) December 10, 2020

2. Oregon Ducks (3-2)

Previous Result: Game Canceled

Recap: Oregon’s game against Washington was canceled due to COVID-19 cases among the Huskies program. The Ducks will play their regular season finale at USC and will be Washington’s backup. If the Huskies can’t play in the championship game, Oregon will slide in and face the Trojans.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next Up: vs. No. 21 Colorado Buffaloes (4-1) on Saturday, December 19 (at USC) at 7 p.m. MST on FS1

Rob Mullens Statement on Cancellation of Oregon-Washington Game. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/YiKxDYIQMq

— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) December 11, 2020

3. Stanford Cardinal (3-2)

Previous Result: Beat Oregon State 27-24 on the road

Recap: Oregon State jumped out to a 14-9 lead in the first half. The Cardinal took the lead early in the third quarter before the Beavers answered back. Stanford grabbed the lead again early in the fourth quarter. OSU kicked a field goal to tie the game with 7:18 left. The Cardinal took the lead for good with a field goal with 1:48 left in the game. Davis Mills threw for 292 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for two more scores. Austin Jones added 126 rushing yards and Simi Fehoko caught 6 passes for 110 yards.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next Up: @ UCLA Bruins (3-3) on Saturday, December 19 at 6 p.m. MST on ESPN2

ᴇᴀʀɴᴇᴅ ɪᴛ.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/mLNvKDdsES

— Road Dogs (@StanfordFball) December 13, 2020

4. Oregon State Beavers (2-4)

Previous Result: Lost to Stanford 27-24 at home

Recap: Oregon State jumped out to a 14-9 lead in the first half. The Cardinal took the lead early in the third quarter before the Beavers answered back. Stanford grabbed the lead again early in the fourth quarter. OSU kicked a field goal to tie the game with 7:18 left. The Cardinal took the lead for good with a field goal with 1:48 left in the game. Chance Nolan had 221 yards passing and three touchdowns, along with 50 rushing yards. Tyjon Lindsey had three catches for 62 yards and two TD’s. Jermar Jefferson added 80 rushing yards.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next Up: vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-2) on Saturday, December 19 at 8:30 p.m. MST on ESPN

It’s good! pic.twitter.com/XhJ99nrBHN

— Oregon State Football (@BeaverFootball) December 13, 2020

5. Washington State Cougars (1-2)

Previous Result: Game Canceled

Recap: Washington State’s game against Cal was canceled hours before kickoff due to a positive COVID-19 test within the Bears program.

Previous Ranking: 6

Next Up: @ Utah Utes (2-2) on Saturday, December 19 at 11:30 a.m. MST on FS1

Statement regarding today's Cal at Washington State #Pac12FB game: pic.twitter.com/rE8lOpieTw

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) December 12, 2020

6. California Golden Bears (1-3)

Previous Result: Game Canceled

Recap: Cal’s game against Washington State was canceled hours before kickoff due to a positive COVID-19 test within the Bears program. Their game against Arizona has also been canceled.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: Game vs. Arizona Canceled

Today's game at Washington State is canceled. pic.twitter.com/oe3BPEeIp6

— Cal Football (@CalFootball) December 12, 2020

South Division

1. No. 15 USC Trojans (5-0)

Previous Result: Beat UCLA 43-38 on the road

Recap: UCLA was in control with a 21-10 halftime lead. The Bruins had a 35-23 lead going into the fourth quarter. UCLA took a two point lead with 52 seconds left but the Trojans scored the game-winning touchdown with 16 seconds left. USC outscored UCLA 20-3 in the fourth quarter to pick up the win. Kedon Slovis threw for 344 yards, 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Vavae Malepeai racked up 110 yards and one TD. Tyler Vaughns had 8 catches for 128 yards and one TD. Both Drake London and Amon-Ra St. Brown caught two touchdowns apiece.

The Trojans clinched the South Division will host Washington in the Pac-12 Championship game.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next Up: vs. Washington Huskies (3-1) on Friday, December 18 at 6 p.m. MST on FOX

We’re not finished.

See you Friday.

USC 43 | UCLA 38#FightOn✌️ pic.twitter.com/hwjPcc76uj

— USC Football (@USC_FB) December 13, 2020

2. No. 21 Colorado Buffaloes (4-1)

Previous Result: Lost to Utah 38-21 at home

Recap: Utah scored first right out of the gates. Colorado answered with two straight touchdowns before the Utes got a field goal before halftime. CU got a 61-yard TD catch by Brenden Rice to start the second half but Utah’s defense shut them down the rest of the way while their offense scored 28 unanswered points. Sam Noyer had 258 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Jarek Broussard rushed for 80 yards.

Colorado will be USC’s backup for the Pac-12 Championship game. They will play Oregon at USC on Saturday but if the Trojans can’t play Washington in the Pac-12 title game, the Buffs will replace USC.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next Up: vs. Oregon Ducks (3-2) on Saturday, December 19 (at USC) at 7 p.m. MST on FS1

pic.twitter.com/x5cHiIgPON

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) December 12, 2020

3. Utah Utes (2-2)

Previous Result: Beat No. 21 Colorado 38-21 on the road

Recap: Utah scored first right out of the gates. Colorado answered with two straight touchdowns before the Utes got a field goal before halftime. CU got a 61-yard TD catch by Brenden Rice to start the second half but Utah’s defense shut them down the rest of the way while their offense scored 28 unanswered points. Jake Bentley threw for 240 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Ty Jordan ran for 147 yards and two TD’s, while Britain Covey caught 9 passes for 76 yards and a score.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next Up: vs. Washington State Cougars (2-2) on Saturday, December 19 at 11:30 a.m. MST on FS1

#SpoilerAlert. Sorry not sorry, Buffs.

LIGHT UP THAT U!!!!!!!! GREAT TEAM WIN! pic.twitter.com/wHdIzlzBQX

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 12, 2020

4. UCLA Bruins (3-3)

Previous Result: Lost to No. 15 USC 43-38 at home

Recap: UCLA was in control with a 21-10 halftime lead. The Bruins had a 35-23 lead going into the fourth quarter. UCLA took a two point lead with 52 seconds left but the Trojans scored the game-winning touchdown with 16 seconds left. USC outscored UCLA 20-3 in the fourth quarter to pick up the win. Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw for 364 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Demetric Felton had 90 rushing yards and 47 receiving yards while catching two touchdowns.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next Up: vs. Stanford Cardinal (3-2) on Saturday, December 19 at 6 p.m. MST on ESPN2

Final in Pasadena. pic.twitter.com/Yt44vaqlQz

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) December 13, 2020

5. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-2)

Previous Result: Beat Arizona 70-7 on the road

Recap: The Sun Devils started the game with a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown. Then they got a turnover and scored on the next play. ASU had a 42-0 lead with 5:25 left in the second quarter. Arizona scored their only TD with 3:38 left in the second. The Sun Devils scored 28 points in the second half. Jayden Daniels completed just 9 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Rachaad White had 10 carries for 133 yards and 3 touchdowns. Four other players had one rushing TD.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: @ Oregon State Beavers (2-4) on Saturday, December 19 at 8:30 p.m. MST on ESPN

😈 SUN DEVILS WIN 🔱

…but you already knew that. pic.twitter.com/56REPFNxon

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) December 12, 2020

6. Arizona Wildcats (0-5)

Previous Result: Lost Arizona State 70-7

Recap: The Sun Devils started the game with a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown. Then they got a turnover and scored on the next play. ASU had a 42-0 lead with 5:25 left in the second quarter. Arizona scored their only TD with 3:38 left in the second. The Sun Devils scored 28 points in the second half. The Wildcats used three different QB’s. Will Plummer threw for 83 yards. Grant Gunnell had one interception while Rhett Rodriguez had two picks. Michael Wiley ran in the Wildcats only touchdown.

Following the loss to ASU, Arizona fired head coach Kevin Sumlin. Their game this week against California has been canceled.

Previous Ranking: 6

Next Up: Game @ California Canceled

Michael Wiley takes it 20 yards for his third touchdown of the season! 🏃‍♂️💨#TerritorialCup | #BearDown pic.twitter.com/eO23UQIfLm

— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) December 12, 2020

Combined Power Rankings

Here is the entire power rankings combined.

1. USC Trojans
2. Colorado Buffaloes
3. Washington Huskies
4. Oregon Ducks
5. Stanford Cardinal
6. Utah Utes
7. UCLA Bruins
8. Oregon State Beavers
9. Washington State Cougars
10. Arizona State Sun Devils
11. California Golden Bears
12. Arizona Wildcats

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.