Pac-12 Week 9 Power Rankings: Washington State On Top Of North Division

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – It was a strange week in the Pac-12 Conference as two AP Top 25 teams lost to unranked opponents.

Washington State continued their impressive play after beating Stanford on the road and now control the North Division.

Utah kept their streak going after running past the UCLA Bruins to stay atop the South Division.

Here’s how the Pac-12 schools did in the ninth week of play. Teams are listed by division, in order of their KSL Sports Power Ranking.

NORTH

1. No. 10 Washington State (7-1, 4-1)

Result: Defeated No. 24 Stanford 41-38 on the road.

Recap: The lead changed hands three times in the first quarter and a half before Stanford took a 28-14 lead with 1:04 left in the second quarter. Washington State stormed back and had a 38-31 advantage with 4:28 left in the fourth quarter. Stanford tied the game with 1:25 left, before the Cougars kicked the game-winning field goal with 19 seconds left.

Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew threw for 438 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with wide receiver Dezmon Patmon 10 times for 127 yards, wide receiver Jamire Calvin had three catches for 102 yards. Running back James Williams added two scores on the ground. The Cougars have won four straight and the last two against AP Top 25 opponents. They are No. 10 in the latest poll.

Previous ranking: 2

Next up: vs. California, Saturday at 8:45 p.m. on ESPN.

7-1 and just getting started!!! #GoCougs #JoinTheHunt pic.twitter.com/bJLTYzqe7d

— WSU Cougar Football (@WSUCougFB) October 28, 2018

2. Washington (6-3, 4-2)

Result: Lost at California 12-10.

Recap: Washington couldn’t get anything going on offense after taking a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Their defense didn’t allow any touchdowns but Cal had their only touchdown come on an interception returned for a touchdown in the third quarter. Quarterback Jake Browning threw for 148 yards and one touchdown. The Huskies have lost two of their last three games and are now out of the AP Top 25 poll.

Previous ranking: 1

Next up: vs. Stanford, Saturday at 7:00 p.m. on Pac-12 Network.

3. Stanford (5-3, 3-2)

Result: Lost to No. 14 Washington State 41-38 at home.

Recap: After Stanford tied the game with 1:25 left in the game, the Cardinal gave Washington State too much time. They stormed down the field and kicked a 42-yard field goal with 19 seconds left to win the game.

Stanford’s star running back Bryce Love can’t seem to get healthy after leaving the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. He finished with six carries for 71 yards. Quarterback K.J. Costello threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside caught two of those touchdowns to go with 10 catches and 111 yards.

Previous ranking: 3

Next up: at Washington, Saturday at 7:00 p.m. on Pac-12 Network.

 4. Oregon (5-3, 2-3)

Result: Lost at Arizona 44-15.

Recap: The Wildcats jumped out to a 16-0 lead before Oregon scored their first touchdown of the night in the second quarter. Arizona followed up by scoring 21 unanswered points as the Ducks scored again, by that point, the game was out of reach. Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert threw two touchdowns and one interception to go with 186 yards passing. Oregon has lost their last two games and dropped out of the AP Top 25 poll.

Previous ranking: 4

Next up: vs. UCLA, Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on FOX.

 5. California (5-3, 2-3)

Result: Defeated No. 15 Washington 12-10 at home.

Recap: Cal won the game despite scoring a touchdown on offense. They returned an interception for a touchdown at the end of the third quarter and kicked two field goals to sneak past the Huskies. Quarterback Chase Garbers had 153 passing yards.

Previous ranking: 5

Next up: at No. 10 Washington State, Saturday at 8:45 p.m. on ESPN.

6. Oregon State (2-6, 1-4)

Result: Defeated Colorado 41-34 in overtime on the road.

Recap: It was looking like another blowout as Colorado had a 31-3 lead with 14:48 left in the third quarter. The Beavers scored a touchdown in the third quarter to trail 31-10. Oregon State outscored the Buffaloes 24-3 in the fourth quarter to force overtime. The Beavers scored a touchdown in the extra period and Colorado turned the ball over on downs to give Oregon State their first conference win.

Quarterback Jake Luton had three touchdowns through the air to go with 310 yards. Running back Jermar Jefferson had 135 yards rushing on 30 carries.

Previous ranking: 6

Next up: vs. USC, Saturday at 8:00 p.m. on FS1.

THE BEAVERS HAVE WON IN BOULDER! pic.twitter.com/UBomHPhETl

— Oregon State Football (@BeaverFootball) October 27, 2018

SOUTH

1. No. 16 Utah (6-2, 4-2)

Result: Defeated UCLA 41-10 on the road.

Recap: The passing game wasn’t needed as running back Zack Moss rushed for a career-high 211 yards on 26 carries, he found the end zone three times. Quarterback Tyler Huntley threw for 138 yards and one interception. The Utes have scored 40 points or more in every game of their four game winning streak. They hold the top position in the South Division in the Pac-12.

Previous ranking: 1

Next up: at Arizona State, Saturday at 2:00 p.m. on Pac-12 Network.

2. Arizona (4-5, 3-3)

Result: Defeated No. 19 Oregon 44-15 at home.

Recap: The Wildcats upset the Ducks by using their running attack as J.J. Taylor rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. Quarterback Khalil Tate threw for 189 yards and three touchdowns.

Previous ranking: 4

Next up: vs. Colorado, Friday at 8:30 p.m. on FS1.

4⃣4⃣-1⃣5⃣

Got it done on Homecoming 😼 pic.twitter.com/6bXyoVUkVs

— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 28, 2018

3. Arizona State (4-4, 2-3)

Result: Defeated USC 38-35 on the road.

Recap: The Sun Devils jumped out to a 24-7 lead in the second quarter, before allowing USC to come back and take a 28-24 lead with 10:24 left in the third quarter. Arizona State scored two more touchdowns to put the game out of reach. Running back Eno Benjamin carried the ball 29 times for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Manny Wilkins had 166 yards passing and one touchdown, he added 89 rushing yards and another touchdown. The Sun Devils snapped their two game losing streak.

Previous ranking: 5

Next up: vs. No. 16 Utah, Saturday at 2:00 p.m. on Pac-12 Network.

4. USC (4-4, 3-3)

Result: Lost to Arizona State 38-35 at home.

Recap: USC relied on their third string quarterback freshman Jack Sears to run the offense. He finished with 235 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. had six catches for 90 yards and two scores. The Trojans have lost two straight games.

Previous ranking: 2

Next up: at Oregon State, Saturday at 8:00 p.m. on FS1.

5. Colorado (5-3, 2-3)

Result: Lost Oregon State 41-34 in overtime at home.

Recap: Colorado gave up a 31-10 lead to start the fourth quarter and allowed Oregon State to win the game in overtime. Quarterback Steven Montez had two touchdowns on 319 yards passing. Running back Travon McMillian found the end zone once to go with 132 yards on the ground. Wide receiver K.D. Nixon had 13 receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Only four receivers had catches for the Buffs. After a 5-0 start, Colorado has lost their last three games.

Previous ranking: 3

Next up: at Arizona, Friday at 8:30 p.m. on FS1.

6. UCLA (2-6, 2-3)

Result: Lost to No. 23 Utah 41-10 at home.

Recap: Running back Joshua Kelley scored UCLA’s only touchdown to go with 90 yards rushing. The offense couldn’t get anything going against Utah’s stifling defense, racking up 291 yards of total offense but turned the ball over three times.

Previous ranking: 6

Next up: at Oregon, Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on FOX.