PAC-12 Football Power Rankings – Week Ending 11/8
1. #6 Oregon Ducks (8-1, 6-0)
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.