Pac-12 Power Rankings: Utah, USC Pick Up Wins Heading Into Big Weekend

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Pac-12 North Division is basically settled with Oregon winning five straight conference games. The South is still in a tight race with both Utah and USC playing big games this weekend.

Both the Trojans and Utes have one conference loss but USC holds the tiebreaker with the win over Utah. USC will host Oregon, while Utah will travel to Seattle to face the Washington Huskies.

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

NORTH

1. No. 7 Oregon Ducks (7-1, 5-0 Pac-12)

Result: Beat Washington State 37-35 at home.

Recap: Washington State kept it close throughout. The game was tied at 17 at halftime before Oregon had a 24-20 lead entering the fourth quarter. The Ducks had an early 31-20 lead in the fourth when the Cougars stormed back to take a 35-34 lead with one minute left. Oregon’s offense trucked down the field and nailed a field goal as time expired to avoid the upset. Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 222 yards, while running back C.J. Verdell was the star of the show with 23 carries for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns. He had a touchdown run of 89 yards.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next up: at USC (5-3, 4-1 Pac-12), Saturday at 6 p.m. on FOX.

What a night. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/p6wx98PGgi

— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) October 27, 2019

2. Washington Huskies (5-3, 2-3 Pac-12)

Result: Bye week

Recap: Washington had a bye this past week. They will be back home to face No. 9 Utah at Husky Stadium on Saturday.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next up: vs. No. 9 Utah (7-1, 4-1 Pac-12), Saturday at 2 p.m. on FOX.

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

Result: Lost to No. 11 Oregon 37-35 on the road.

Recap: The game was tied at 17 at halftime before Oregon had a 24-20 lead entering the fourth quarter. The Ducks had an early 31-20 lead in the fourth when the Cougars stormed back to take a 35-34 lead with one minute left. Oregon’s offense trucked down the field and nailed a field goal as time expired to avoid the upset. Quarterback Anthony Gordon passed for 406 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Wide receiver Brandon Arcanado hauled in 9 receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next up: Bye week

Final from Eugene#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/oywJq9WWad

— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) October 27, 2019

4. Stanford Cardinal (4-4, 3-3 Pac-12)

Result: Beat Arizona 41-31 at home.

Recap: The Cardinal trailed 10-7 at the end of the first quarter before they exploded for 24 points in the second quarter and limiting Arizona to 14. That was the difference in the game because Stanford outscored the Wildcats 10-7 in the second half. Quarterback K.J. Costello returned to the lineup after missing several weeks with an injury. He threw for 312 yards and 3 touchdowns. Former Brighton high school star wide receiver Simi Fehoko caught 3 passes for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Cameron Scarlett racked up 102 yards and two touchdowns on 19 attempts.

Previous Ranking: 6

Next up: vs. Oregon State (3-4, 2-2 Pac-12),  at 2:30 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

5. Oregon State Beavers (3-4, 2-2 Pac-12)

Result: Bye week

Recap: Oregon State had a bye this past week. They will face Arizona on the road this weekend.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next up: at Arizona (4-4, 2-3 Pac-12), Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

6. California Golden Bears (4-4, 1-4 Pac-12)

Result: Lost to No. 12 Utah 35-0 on the road.

Recap: Cal couldn’t get anything going on offense as Utah’s defense shut them down. True freshman quarterback Spencer Brasch made his first career start and threw for 47 yards. Cal had 83 yards of total offense in the loss. Linebacker Evan Weaver collected 22 tackles, while fellow backer Kuony Deng added 16 tackles. The Golden Bears have lost four straight games after starting the season 4-0.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next up: Bye week

Learn from it and move on to the next one. pic.twitter.com/G76LxaluRF

— Cal Football (@CalFootball) October 27, 2019

SOUTH

1. No. 9 Utah Utes (7-1, 4-1 Pac-12)

Result: Beat California 35-0 at home.

Recap: The Utes’ defense was fantastic all night long once again. They held Cal to just 83 yards of total offense, while their offense racked up 473 yards. Running back Zack Moss had 17 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns, while breaking two more rushing records. Quarterback Tyler Huntley passed for 214 yards and one touchdown. Backup QB Jason Shelley had one passing and one rushing touchdown in the win.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next up: at Washington (5-3, 2-3 Pac-12), Saturday at 2 p.m. on FOX.

Scary good. #goutes #CALvsUTAH pic.twitter.com/ZfK2AJdgnT

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) October 27, 2019

2. USC Trojans (5-3, 4-1 Pac-12)

Result: Beat Colorado 35-31 on the road.

Recap: It looked like Colorado was going to win the game, holding a 10-point lead entering the fourth quarter. USC scored a touchdown early to cut the lead to three points. The Buffs couldn’t keep moving the ball down the field and chew up the clock. The Trojans scored the go-ahead touchdown with 2:15 left to avoid the upset. Quarterback Kedon Slovis had a productive game with 406 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. hauled in 7 catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Vaughns had 8 receptions for 104 yards and one touchdown, while Amon-Ra St. Brown rushed three times for 50 yards and a score.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next up: vs. No. 7 Oregon (7-1, 5-0 Pac-12), Saturday at 6 p.m. on FOX.

FINAL: USC 35, Colorado 31

Trojans fight ‘til the finish and gut out a road win at Colorado!#FightOn pic.twitter.com/P11RG2vQ07

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) October 26, 2019

3. UCLA Bruins (3-5, 3-2 Pac-12)

Result: Defeated No. 24 Arizona State 42-32 at home.

Recap: The Bruins jumped out to a 35-7 lead with 10:40 left in the third quarter. Arizona State outscored the Bruins 25-7 from that point, but UCLA was able to hold off the massive comeback to get their second straight win. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson completed 16 of his 23 pass attempts for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Joshua Kelley racked up 164 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Previous Ranking: 6

Next up: vs. Colorado (3-5, 1-4 Pac-12), Saturday at 7 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

Joshua Kelley's 4 rushing TD's are the most by any #Pac12FB player this season. 💯#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/1LFhOzhEWJ

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) October 27, 2019

4. Arizona State Sun Devils (5-3, 2-3 Pac-12)

Result: Lost to No. 12 Utah 21-3 on the road.

Recap: UCLA jumped out to a 35-7 lead with 10:40 left in the third quarter. Arizona State outscored the Bruins 25-7 from that point, but UCLA was able to hold off the massive comeback, handing the Sun Devils their second straight loss. Quarterback Jayden Daniels had to do a lot on offense, completing 20 of his 29 pass attempts for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns, while running the ball 13 times for 67 yards and another score. Frank Darby hauled in six catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next up: Bye week

Sun Devils fall 42-32.

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) October 27, 2019

5. Arizona Wildcats (4-4, 2-3 Pac-12)

Result: Lost to USC 41-14 on the road.

Recap: The Wildcats had a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Stanford outscored Arizona 24-14 in the second, which was the difference in the game. Quarterback Khalil Tate threw for 205 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran the ball 9 times for 103 yards and another score.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next up: at Stanford (3-4, 2-3 Pac-12), Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

Final score from Stanford. pic.twitter.com/zdffD9RBYn

— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 26, 2019

6. Colorado Buffaloes (3-5, 1-4 Pac-12)

Result: Lost to USC 35-31 at home.

Recap: It looked like Colorado was going to win the game, holding a 10-point lead entering the fourth quarter. USC scored a touchdown early to cut the lead to three points. The Buffs couldn’t keep moving the ball down the field and chew up the clock and the Trojans scored the go-ahead touchdown with 2:15 left to get the comeback victory. Colorado has lost their last four games and five of their last six. Quarterback Steven Montez passed for 324 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air and ran the ball seven times for 45 yards and another score. Star wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. hauled in 9 receptions for 172 yards and one touchdown.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next up: at UCLA (3-5, 1-4 Pac-12), Saturday at 7 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

Final. pic.twitter.com/SJQxo9Tn2X

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) October 26, 2019

The full Pac-12 power rankings without divisions:

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