PAC-12 Football Power Rankings – Week Ending 11/8
3. #9 UCLA Bruins (8-1, 5-1)
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.
2. #7 USC Trojans (8–1, 6-1)
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.