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A knockout game highlighted last week’s Pac-12 schedule. Pacific Northwest Sports continues our 2022 Pac-12 football power rankings, which run through the last bowl game.
There are five conference teams in the Top 25 (another received votes), led by 6th-ranked Oregon. Here are our Power Rankings for the week ending November 8, with a Pacific Northwest twist.
Last Game: Oregon 49 – Colorado 34
Colorado got steamrolled at home by the conference leaders. For the third straight week, the Buffs gave up at least 42 points.
This Week: at USC, Friday, November 11, 6:30 PM – FS1
Out of the frying pan and into the fire. USC is chasing Oregon for the regular season title and are happy to step over Colorado to do it.
Last Game: USC 41 – California 35
Cal’s offense came out hot, driving 75 yards on their first possession. Then they went ice cold for the next 30 minutes, gaining 97 yards with an interception.
Once they tasted success in the second half, the Bears scored touchdowns on 4 of 5 drives. They outscored USC 28-21 from that point but came up 6 points short.
Jack Plummer had his best game since coming to Berkeley. The Senior completed 35 of 49 passes for 406 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception.
This Week: at Oregon State, 6:00 PM – Pac-12 Networks
The Bears travel to take on a team that had their season broken last week. Maybe the Bears can take advantage and keep their very slim bowl hopes alive.
Last Game: Washington State 52 – Stanford 14
Fans have come to expect Stanford’s plodding offense. They failed to score over 15 points for the fourth straight game. Nothing new there.
5 fumbles (4 lost) were different. The Cardinal may not be a great team, but they are better than that.
Stanford’s defense was playing well leading up to this game. They were literally trampled underfoot by Wazzu.
This Week: at Utah 7:00 PM – ESPN
After last week’s decisive loss to Washington State, the Cardinal beating Utah in Salt Lake City has to be like climbing Mount Everest. Many try, but very few do it.
Last Game: Utah 45 – Arizona 20
The Wildcats’ defense is miserable and scoring points against them is expected. The offense, however, struggled. After the game, head coach Jedd Fisch admitted that Arizona “couldn’t get any momentum.”
This Week: at UCLA, 7:30 PM – FOX
This makes back-to-back road games against Top 15 teams for Arizona. They’ll probably get the same results. Unfortunately, another loss costs them bowl eligibility.
Last Game: UCLA 50 – ASU 36
In most games that Arizona State scores 36 points at home, they expect to win. UCLA isn’t like most teams. They are number 10 for a reason.
The Bruins came to Tempe and blew the doors off ASU’s defense. From where the Sun Devils were when Herm Edwards was fired, they are showing big improvements. Kudos to ASU for putting up a good fight.
This Week: vs. Washington State, 12:30 PM – Pac-12 Networks
Washington State isn’t UCLA, but the Cougs are on a roll after their huge win last week. It will be tough for ASU to defend against the Air Raid.
Last Game: Washington State 52 – Stanford 14
This was by far the Washington State Cougars‘ most complete game of the season. Their offense and defense were on point against Stanford.
The Cougars surprisingly ran for 306 yards on Saturday. That’s almost five times more than their combined total from their last two games. Nakia Watson was Wazzu’s leading rusher, with 166 yards on 16 carries.
Washington State’s defense held the Cardinal to 71 yards rushing on 28 carries. The Cougs’ defensive front was just as physical as their offensive line. They put up a pair of sacks and pressured Stanford’s QBs three more times.
Then there were the five forced fumbles which were key to the Cougs jumping out to a big early lead. That includes Jaden Hicks’ 17-yard scoop-six touchdown in the second quarter.
This Week: vs. Arizona State, 12:30 PM – Pac-12 Networks
Coming off of last week’s dominating win, the Cougs have to be feeling good about themselves. They can’t get too cocky.
Despite ASU’s poor season, the Sun Devils can sneak up on their opponents. Just ask UW and UCLA.
Now that Watson is back, Washington State should get more consistency out of their backfield. They will, however, need to prevail without left tackle Jarrett Kingston, who is out for the season with a lower-body injury.
On the other side of the ball, Wazzu’s defense can make a statement again this week. Hopefully, with a little more success from the pass rush.
Last Game: Washington 24 – Oregon State 21
OSU had chances to win this game, but they couldn’t move the ball well enough to capitalize.
This Week: vs. California, 6:00 PM – Pac-12 Networks
Now that Oregon State is eliminated from the Pac-12 Championship Game, how will they respond? The Beavers match up well with California and should win this game in front of the home fans.
Last Game: Washington 24 – Oregon State 21
The Washington Huskies never led in this game until Peyton Henry nailed a 22-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining in regulation. Up to that point, UW was playing catch-up from the first possession of the game.
As they did for most of the game, OSU effectively ran the ball down the field. Deshawn Fenwick took it in from the three for the first of his two rushing touchdowns.
Late in the second quarter, Washington quarterback Michael Penix threw a pick-six to put OSU up 14-7 to end the half. But he would rally.
Despite the deficit, Penix was cool under pressure. He led the Huskies to scores on 3 of 5 second half drives. Penix also completed 11 of 18 third down passes.
While the Washington Huskies’ defense gave up 175 rushing yards, with their full secondary back in action, they yielded only 87 passing yards.
This Week: at Oregon, 4:00 PM – FOX
Oregon presents a huge test for the Washington Huskies. Since Game 2 of the season, opposing defenses have tried to defend Ducks quarterback Bo Nix, with little to no success.
At least the Huskies have their secondary back which should help in the passing game. But Nix is just as dangerous as a runner. Between him and UO’s running backs, the Ducks can pick up yards in big chunks.
Washington Defensive Coordinator Chuck Morrell has his work cut out for him. UW is likely to load the box and try to force Nix into bad throws.
Oregon has a good defense, but Washington’s offense is one of the most productive in not only the Pac-12 but also the FBS. The Huskies will score points. Will they score enough of them to win? Maybe.
Last Game: Utah 45 – Arizona 20
Another dominating victory by Utah. They controlled both lines of scrimmage to both rack up points and keep Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura in check.
This game also marked the return of Utes quarterback Cameron Rising.
This Week: vs. Stanford 7:00 PM – ESPN
Utah can still defend its Pac-12 Conference title, but they need to run the table. Their stout defense will dominate Stanford.
Last Game: UCLA 50 – ASU 36
No Zach Charbonnet, no problem. UCLA moved Kazmeir Allen from receiver to running back, and he gained 137 yards on 11 carries. That was just part of UCLA’s 402 yards and 5 touchdown rushing onslaught.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also gained 120 yards and a pair of TDs on the ground.
This Week: vs. Arizona, 7:30 PM – FOX
Pac-12 After Dark at the Rose Bowl. UCLA should win handily in front of tens of thousands of empty seats. Not a great look for potential recruits, but the Bruins can impress BCS voters on national television.
UCLA could be thin at running back as their top two, Charbonnet and Keegan Jones, are injured. Their status is unknown going into this week’s game.
Almost as important as dominating Arizona is, DTR can make his case for the Heisman.
Last Game: USC 41 – California 35
USC picked up their eighth win of the season, but once again, it was closer than they would have liked. There is a problem with the Trojans’ defense.
For the third week in a row, they gave up at least 35 points. Something has to change because it doesn’t matter how prolific Southern Cal’s offense is behind Caleb Williams if they can’t stop anyone.
Keep this up and a loss is looming in their future. Something they can’t afford, if they want to play in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
This Week: vs. Colorado, Friday, November 11, 6:30 PM – FS1
Hosting Colorado might be the medicine USC’s defense needs to get themselves together. Don’t be surprised if the Trojans score more than 50 this week.
Last Game: Oregon 49 – Colorado 10
Oregon’s win streak is up to eight after crushing Colorado in Boulder. This game was over by halftime when the Ducks took a 28-7 lead into the locker room.
Bo Nix added to his impressive touchdown streak. On Saturday, he threw for 2, ran for 2, and caught a TD pass. For those scoring at home, in the last 3 games, Nix has 10 passing, and 5 rushing scores.
Running back Bucky Irving also continues to excel. He ran for 120 yards on 11 carries. For the season, Irving is just shy of 100 yards from scrimmage per game.
Saturday, he added a new wrinkle. Irving threw a halfback option pass to Nix in the second quarter, which the QB ran in for an easy 18-yard score.
Oregon’s defense was excellent again. The only touchdown they gave up, a 75-yard bomb, resulted from miscommunication in the secondary. Throw out that play, and Colorado was 16 for 33 passing for 173 yards.
This Week: vs. Washington, 4:00 PM – FOX
It’s not that UO has played an easy schedule, so far, they are a legit Top 6 team. But Saturday starts a three-game Pac-12 gauntlet. After UW, the Ducks play Utah and Oregon State (a.k.a. the defending conference champs and a blood feud).
Win out, and Oregon has a good shot at reaching the College Football Playoff, according to ESPN. Their CFP Predictor gives the Ducks a 67% chance in that scenario.
It’s only natural to look ahead to those games, but it would be a mistake to look past Washington. This week, Head Dan Lanning’s big job is to keep his team focused. One game at a time.
Check back with us next week for our updated Pac-12 power rankings.