PAC-12 Football Power Rankings – Week Ending 11/15
5. #15 Washington Huskies (8-2, 5-2)
Last Game: Washington 37 – Oregon 34
The Washington Huskies ended Oregon’s 23-game home winning streak and undefeated Pac-12 season. The game looked like it would come down to the end, which is what exactly happened. UW Kicker Peyton Henry connected from 43 yards out with 51 seconds left in the game to put the Huskies up for good.
For the second week in a row, Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. rallied after throwing an interception. In the fourth quarter, instead of running out of bounds when Washington had the ball on UO’s 11 yard line, he threw an ill-advised off-balance pass that was picked off and led to an Oregon field goal.
Penix regrouped and hit wide-open Taj Davis down the left sideline for a 62-yard touchdown strike. That tied the game at 34-34.
This Week: vs. Colorado, 6:00 PM – Pac-12 Networks
Washington needs to be very careful this week. After beating Oregon last week and facing Wazzu in the Apple Cup next week, this is the very definition of a “trap game.”
The ideal scenario is for UW to get an early lead and then work on a few things. At the top of that list is running the ball to control the clock. Not far behind that is tackling. The defense has to get off the field.
Number three is getting comfortable with more change in the defensive backfield. This game is a golden opportunity for Washington to get playing time for their young corners and safeties.
At his Monday presser, head coach Kalen DeBoer said Davon Banks needs surgery for an unspecified injury. He joins cornerback Julius Irvin and safety Vincent Nunley as UW defensive backs that are out for the year.
Starting cornerback Jordan Perryman only made it five plays before getting hurt last week. He may be back to face Colorado. It would be nice if the Huskies could get him an additional week of rest.
4. #16 UCLA Bruins (8-2, 5-2)
Last Game: Arizona 34 – UCLA 28
UCLA needed to win this game and didn’t. Maybe they got caught looking ahead.
It’s almost hard to fathom that Zach Charbonnet ran for 188 yards and 3 TDs, plus caught 9 passes for 38 yards, the Bruins A) lost the game, and B) lost time of possession by a wide margin (34:20-25:40).
Add “find guys who can play defense” to Chip Kelly’s offseason to-do list.
This Week: vs. USC, 5:00 PM – FOX
It’s long and convoluted, but UCLA can still make the Pac-12 Championship Game. Beating USC is a must. How many times have opposing teams said that?