Washington Moves Up In Latest KSL Sports Pac-12 Power Rankings After Win In Opener

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Washington Huskies couldn’t play their season opener against Cal due to COVID-19 cases on the Golden Bear squad. They didn’t show too must rust when they played their season opener against Oregon State.

With their 27-21 win over the Beavers on Saturday night, the Huskies have moved up in the latest KSL Sports Pac-12 Power Rankings

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

North Division

1. No. 11 Oregon Ducks (2-0)

Previous Result: Beat Washington State, 43-29 on the road

Recap: Washington State jumped out to a 19-7 lead towards the end of the first half before Oregon snuck in a touchdown just before halftime. The Ducks outscored the Cougars 22-10 in the fourth quarter and 29-10 in the second half to pick up the win. Tyler Shough went 21-of-30 passing for 312 yards, 4 touchdowns and one interception. C.J. Verdell racked up 118 yards on 18 carries and one touchdown. Travis Dye had two catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next Up: vs. UCLA Bruins (1-1) on Saturday, November 21 at TBD

2-0 after a big-time road win. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/DpthHweoUx

— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 15, 2020

2. Washington Huskies (1-0)

Previous Result: Beat Oregon State, 27-21 at home

Recap: Oregon State scored first before the Huskies dropped 17 unanswered. After the Beavers responded with a touchdown to pull within three points, Washington stretched the lead to 10 points. Oregon State got to within three again entering the fourth quarter before Washington’s defense held off the Beavers. Dylan Morris is the starting QB in Seattle. He threw for 141 yards, while running for 21 more yards and a touchdown in his debut. Sean McGrew added 91 rushing yards and a TD.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next Up: vs. Arizona Wildcats (0-1) on Saturday, November 21 at 6 p.m. MST on FOX

W!#PurpleReign x #BowDown pic.twitter.com/Img97Suuwv

— Washington Football (@UW_Football) November 15, 2020

3. California Golden Bears (0-1)

Previous Result: Lost to UCLA, 34-10 on the road on Sunday

Recap: After their game against Arizona State was canceled, the Golden Bears and the Pac-12 worked out a deal to play UCLA in the Rose Bowl on Sunday. Cal scored a field goal first before the Bruins put up two unanswered TD’s. The Bears scored their only touchdown midway through the second before UCLA ended the game scoring 20 straight points. Chase Garbers threw 122 yards and one interception while running in a TD.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next Up: @ Oregon State Beavers (0-2) on Saturday, November 21 at 1:30 p.m. MST on FS1

Final from Pasadena. pic.twitter.com/Xl4S5avbdQ

— Cal Football (@CalFootball) November 15, 2020

4. Washington State Cougars (1-1)

Previous Result: Lost to Oregon, 43-29 at home

Recap: Washington State jumped out to a 19-7 lead towards the end of the first half before Oregon snuck in a touchdown just before halftime. The Ducks outscored the Cougars 22-10 in the fourth quarter and 29-10 in the second half to pick up the win. Jayden de Laura threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns. Deon McIntosh rushed for 92 yards and one TD. Renard Bell was tremendous with 10 receptions for 158 yards and one score.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next Up: @ Stanford Cardinal (0-2) on Saturday, November 21 at 9 p.m. MST on FS1

Final from Martin Stadium#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/EX7RqiT9kL

— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) November 15, 2020

5. Oregon State Beavers (0-2)

Previous Result: Lost to Washington, 27-21 on the road

Recap: Oregon State scored first before the Huskies dropped 17 unanswered. After the Beavers responded with a touchdown to pull within three points, Washington stretched the lead to 10 points. Oregon State got to within three again entering the fourth quarter before Washington’s defense held off the Beavers. Tristian Gebbia passed for just 85 yards and an interception. Jermar Jefferson racked up 133 rushing yards on 23 carries and one touchdown.

Previous Ranking: 6

Next Up: vs. California Golden Bears (0-1) on Saturday, November 21 at 1:30 p.m. MST on FS1

Big stop for the Beavs!! pic.twitter.com/HwIodf8uEK

— Oregon State Football (@BeaverFootball) November 15, 2020

6. Stanford Cardinal (0-2)

Previous Result: Lost to Colorado, 35-32 at home

Recap: The first half was a low scoring affair with two touchdowns from Colorado and three field goals by Stanford, it was 14-9 Buffs at the half. In the third quarter, Colorado extended the lead to 28-16 entering the fourth. The Buffs had one TD and Stanford scored 16 points but their comeback came up short. Davis Mills made his 2020 debut and threw for 321 yards and accounted for two total touchdowns, one rushing, one passing. Michael Wilson caught 6 passes for 95 yards. The Cardinal rushed for only 70 yards in the loss.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: vs. Washington State Cougars (1-1) on Saturday, November 21 at 9 p.m. MST on FS1

Final from Stanford Stadium.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/oqEpMLXlTI

— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) November 15, 2020

South Division

1. No. 20 USC Trojans (2-0)

Previous Result: Beat Arizona, 34-30 on the road

Recap: USC jumped out to a 10-7 lead in the first quarter before taking a 17-13 halftime lead. Arizona tied the game at 20 heading into the fourth quarter. The Wildcats took the lead early before a USC touchdown gave them a four point lead with 3:30 remaining. Arizona found the end zone with 1:35 left to give them a three-point lead. With 25 seconds left, Vavae Malepeai ran in the game-winning touchdown. Kedon Slovis went 30-of-43 passing for 325 yards and one touchdown. Markese Stepp ran for 82 yards and one TD, while Stephen Carr added 80 rushing yards and a score. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 7 passes for 113 yards.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next Up: @ Utah Utes (0-0) on Saturday, November 21 at 8:30 p.m. MST on ESPN

Final in Arizona.

Back to Work.#FightOn✌️ pic.twitter.com/uU0lbg92u0

— USC Football (@USC_FB) November 15, 2020

2. Colorado Buffaloes (2-0)

Previous Result: Beat Stanford, 35-32 on the road

Recap: The first half was a low scoring affair with two touchdowns from Colorado and three field goals by Stanford, it was 14-9 Buffs at the half. In the third quarter, Colorado extended the lead to 28-16 entering the fourth. The Buffs had one TD and Stanford scored 16 points but their comeback came up short. Sam Noyer went 15-of-24 passing for 255 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Jarek Broussard went over 100 rushing yards for the second straight game with 121 yards on 27 carries. Dimitri Stanley had 6 receptions for 126 yards and one TD.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next Up: Game vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Canceled

2-0#BUFFSWIN pic.twitter.com/SJObz2CJS4

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) November 15, 2020

3. UCLA Bruins (1-1)

Previous Result: Beat California, 34-10 at home on Sunday

Recap: After their game against Utah was canceled, the Bruins and the Pac-12 worked out a deal to play Cal in the Rose Bowl on Sunday. Cal scored a field goal first before the Bruins put up two unanswered TD’s. The Bears scored their only touchdown midway through the second before UCLA ended the game scoring 20 straight points. Dorian Thompson-Robinson passed for 196 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, while racking up 52 rushing yards and another TD. Demetric Felton had 25 carries for 107 yards.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: @ No. 11 Oregon Ducks (2-0) on Saturday, November 21 at TBD

UCLA 34, California 10.

FINAL, from @RoseBowlStadium. #GoBruins 🏈 pic.twitter.com/SjMVfpmHJa

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) November 15, 2020

4. Utah Utes (0-0)

Previous Result: Game Canceled

Recap: The Utes’ game against UCLA was canceled after the team had positive COVID-19 cases. Kyle Whittingham feels that things are trending in the right direction for the USC game.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next Up: vs. No. 20 USC Trojans (2-0) on Saturday, November 21 at 8:30 p.m. MST on ESPN

Our hearts are broken, but we will continue to push forward as a team.

Family, always. https://t.co/DaLpMvETdG pic.twitter.com/8tUrmsGwtX

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 13, 2020

5. Arizona State Sun Devils (0-1)

Previous Result: Game Canceled

Recap: Arizona State had to cancel their game against California after multiple positive COVID-19 tests last week, including head coach Herm Edwards. Their next game is canceled as well.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next Up: Game @ Colorado Buffaloes Canceled

.@ASUFootball's game at Colorado next weekend has been cancelled.

Full statement from Ray Anderson:https://t.co/sPWUisIjRC pic.twitter.com/c7ij1Dtgf8

— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) November 15, 2020

6. Arizona Wildcats (0-1)

Previous Result: Lost to No. 20 USC, 34-30 at home

Recap: USC jumped out to a 10-7 lead in the first quarter before taking a 17-13 halftime lead. Arizona tied the game at 20 heading into the fourth quarter. The Wildcats took the lead early before a USC touchdown gave them a four point lead with 3:30 remaining. Arizona found the end zone with 1:35 left to give them a three-point lead. With 25 seconds left, Vavae Malepeai ran in the game-winning touchdown. Grant Gunnell threw for 286 yards, 3 touchdowns and one interception. Gary Brightwell ran for 112 yards, while Tayvian Cunningham had 5 receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown.

Previous Ranking: 6

Next Up: @ Washington Huskies (1-0) on Saturday, November 21 at 6 p.m. MST on FOX

Final score from Arizona Stadium. #BearDown pic.twitter.com/j96Ft39ElM

— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) November 15, 2020

Combined Power Rankings

Here is the entire power rankings combined.

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

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.