PAC-12 Football Power Rankings – Week Ending 10/17
4. #15 Utah Utes (5-2, 3-1)
Last Game: Utah 43 – USC 42
It was a great weekend of college football action. Fans can debate what the best game was. Alabama-Tennessee, TCU-Oklahoma State, and James Madison-Georgia Southern are all worthy of consideration.
But Utah beating undefeated USC by making a two-point conversion with 43 seconds left in the game might beat them all. Give Utes head coach Kyle Wittingham some credit for having the guts to go for it.
Midseason Leaders
- Passing: Cameron Rising – 148 of 215 for 1,855 yards with 15 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and 5 sacks.
- Rushing: Tavion Thomas – 93 attempts, 414 yards, 5 touchdowns.
- Receiving: Dalton Kincaid – 39 receptions, 558 yards, 6 touchdowns.
- Defense: R.J. Hubert – 48 tackles. Clark Phillips – 5 interceptions.
This Week: Bye
Beating USC turned Utah’s season around. The Utes have this week off to prepare for Washington State on Thursday, October 27.
3. #12 USC Trojans (6–1, 4-1)
Last Game: Utah 43 – USC 42
What a heartbreaking defeat. The Trojans led this game from the first possession until Utah’s two-point conversion with 43 seconds left in the game.
If this game happened in Los Angeles instead of Provo, the results might have been different. There aren’t many teams that can keep up with USC’s potent offense. Unfortunately, the Trojans found one last week that did.
Midseason Leaders
- Passing: Caleb Williams – 147 of 230 for 1,971 yards with 19 touchdowns, 1 interception, and 15 sacks.
- Rushing: Travis Dye – 101 attempts, 647 yards, 7 touchdowns.
- Receiving: Jordan Addison – 39 receptions, 585 yards, 7 touchdowns.
- Defense: Eric Gentry – 52 tackles. Tuli Tuipulotu – 7 sacks.
This Week: Bye
USC has an extra week to let their loss to Utah sink in. The Trojans have to run the table if they want any chance to reach the college football playoff.