USC Takes Over Top Spot In KSL Sports Pac-12 Power Rankings

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The USC Trojans are now the top team in the KSL Sports Power Rankings after claiming their fourth straight win.

The Trojans knocked off Washington State, 38-13 on Sunday night in Los Angeles.

It’s the first time this season that all six Pac-12 games were played as scheduled in the same week.

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

North Division

1. Washington Huskies (3-1)

Previous Result: Lost to Stanford 31-26 at home

Recap: Stanford jumped out to a 24-3 lead in the first half. Washington answered with 23 points in the second half but allowed the Cardinal to score one touchdown in the third quarter and that was the difference in the game. Dylan Morris had 254 passing yards and 36 rushing yards while scoring a TD on the ground. Sean McGrew added 65 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next Up: @ Oregon Ducks (3-2) on Saturday, December 12 at 2 p.m. MST on FOX

Final from Seattle. pic.twitter.com/EBCfp20boX

— Washington Football (@UW_Football) December 6, 2020

2. Oregon Ducks (3-2)

Previous Result: Lost to California 21-17 on the road

Recap: Cal started with a 14-3 in the first quarter and a half before the Ducks scored two touchdowns in the last two minutes of the second quarter to take a 17-14 lead into the locker room. The only touchdown in the second half came in the third quarter by the Golden Bears. Tyler Shough threw for 231 yards and one touchdown. Travis Dye racked up 71 rushing yards and 85 receiving yards.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next Up: vs. Washington Huskies (3-1) on Saturday, December 12 at 2 p.m. MST on FOX

Final from Berkeley. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/fI8yZKFXD7

— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) December 6, 2020

3. Stanford Cardinal (2-2)

Previous Result: Beat No. 22 Washington 31-26 on the road

Recap: Stanford jumped out to a 24-3 lead in the first half. Washington answered with 23 points in the second half but allowed the Cardinal to score one touchdown in the third quarter and that was the difference in the game. Davis Mills threw for 252 yards and one touchdown. Austin Jones racked up 138 rushing yards and two scores.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next Up: @ Oregon State Beavers (2-3) on Saturday, December 12 at 8:30 p.m. MST on ESPNU

𝙒𝙃𝘼𝙏𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙍 𝙄𝙏 𝙏𝘼𝙆𝙀𝙎.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/3vGprMKKBi

— Road Dogs (@StanfordFball) December 6, 2020

4. Oregon State Beavers (2-3)

Previous Result: Lost to Utah 30-24 on the road

Recap: The Utes jumped out to a 30-10 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. Oregon State stormed back in the final period with two straight touchdowns. The Beavers couldn’t get that last TD to win the game as Utah’s defense forced Oregon State to turn the ball over on downs twice. Quarterback Tristan Gebbia and running back Jermar Jefferson did not play. Chance Nolan threw for 202 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Calvin Tyler ran in two touchdowns on 29 rushing yards.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next Up: vs. Stanford Cardinal (2-2) on Saturday, December 12 at 8:30 p.m. MST on ESPNU

KOLBSTER’S FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWN!! @thekolbytaylor 🙌 pic.twitter.com/2iJLCAcQx3

— Oregon State Football (@BeaverFootball) December 6, 2020

5. California Golden Bears (1-3)

Previous Result: Beat No. 23 Oregon 21-17 at home

Recap: Cal started with a 14-3 in the first quarter and a half before the Ducks scored two touchdowns in the last two minutes of the second quarter to take a 17-14 lead into the locker room. The only touchdown in the second half came in the third quarter by the Golden Bears.

Previous Ranking: 6

Next Up: @ Washington State Cougars (1-2) on Saturday, December 12 at 8:30 p.m. MST on FS1

Down go the Ducks! pic.twitter.com/aBBFtphnDl

— Cal Football (@CalFootball) December 6, 2020

6. Washington State Cougars (1-2)

Previous Result: Lost to No. 20 USC 38-13 on the road

Recap: The Trojans jumped out to a 35-0 lead in the second quarter after scoring 28 in the opening period. The Cougars scored 13 points after that point in the game and USC managed to get one field goal. Jayden de Laura threw for 134 yards and two interceptions. Deon McIntosh had 65 rushing yards. Renard Bell had 11 receptions for for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: vs. California Golden Bears (1-3) on Saturday, December 12 at 8:30 p.m. MST on FS1

Final from Los Angeles pic.twitter.com/yew5eTq2Ld

— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) December 7, 2020

South Division

1. No. 15 USC Trojans (4-0)

Previous Result: Beat Washington State 38-13 at home

Recap: The Trojans jumped out to a 35-0 lead in the second quarter after scoring 28 in the opening period. The Cougars scored 13 points after that point in the game and USC managed to get one field goal. Kedon Slovis threw for 287 yards and 5 touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown hauled in 7 catches for 65 yards and four TD’s.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next Up: @ UCLA Bruins (3-2) on Saturday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m. MST on ABC

Our city.
Our rules.
Our win.

USC 38 | WSU 13#FightOn✌️ pic.twitter.com/8vCRYrSXJ8

— USC Football (@USC_FB) December 7, 2020

2. No. 21 Colorado Buffaloes (4-0)

Previous Result: Beat Arizona 24-13 on the road

Recap: Arizona scored 13 straight points to start before the Buffaloes responded with 24 unanswered to keep their undefeated season alive. The Wildcats have lost 11 straight games dating back to last season. Jarek Broussard racked up 301 yards in the win. Sam Noyer threw two interceptions but had 67 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next Up: vs. Utah Utes (1-2) on Friday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. MST on FS1

We're 4-0#BUFFSWIN pic.twitter.com/kOpThuYPkN

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) December 6, 2020

3. UCLA Bruins (3-2)

Previous Result: Beat Arizona State 25-18 on the road

Recap: UCLA jumped out to a 17-0 lead, all coming in the second quarter. Arizona State responded with 18 unanswered. The Bruins scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:09 left in the game. Dorian Thompson-Robinson passed for 192 yards and one touchdown, while also scoring a TD on the ground. Brittain Brown had 94 rushing yards on just 7 carries.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next Up: vs. USC Trojans (4-0) on Saturday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m. MST on ABC

Leaving the desert with a WIN! 🔥#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/R3iR6Mh7rU

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) December 6, 2020

4. Utah Utes (1-2)

Previous Result: Beat Oregon State 30-24 at home

Recap: The Utes jumped out to a 30-10 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. Oregon State stormed back in the final period with two straight touchdowns. The Beavers couldn’t get that last TD to win the game as Utah’s defense forced Oregon State to turn the ball over on downs twice. Jake Bentley had 174 passing yards and one touchdown. Ty Jordan ran for 167 yards and his first career TD.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next Up: @ Colorado Buffaloes (4-0) on Friday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. MST on FS1

GAME BALL: freshman @_ylfotyt

27 carries for 167 yards and 1 TD
2 receptions for 22 yards pic.twitter.com/Nbt95TEYNV

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 6, 2020

5. Arizona State Sun Devils (0-2)

Previous Result: Lost to UCLA 25-18 at home

Recap: UCLA jumped out to a 17-0 lead, all coming in the second quarter. Arizona State responded with 18 unanswered. The Bruins scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:09 left in the game. Jayden Daniels threw for 225 yards, one touchdown and one interception. DeaMonte Trayanum racked up 108 yards.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: @ Arizona Wildcats (0-4) on Friday, December 11 at 5 p.m. MST on ESPN

Final from Tempe. pic.twitter.com/LPnwjPRsCf

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) December 6, 2020

6. Arizona Wildcats (0-4)

Previous Result: Lost to Colorado 24-13 at home

Recap: Arizona scored 13 straight points to start before the Buffaloes responded with 24 unanswered to keep their undefeated season alive. The Wildcats have lost 11 straight games dating back to last season. Will Plummer threw for 154 yards and one interception. Michael Wiley rushed for 122 yards on just 7 carries. Gary Brightwell ran for 117 yards and one TD.

Previous Ranking: 6

Next Up: vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (0-2) on Friday, December 11 at 5 p.m. MST on ESPN

Final score from Arizona Stadium. #BearDown pic.twitter.com/7wreo8Z3Ga

— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) December 6, 2020

Combined Power Rankings

Here is the entire power rankings combined.

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