PAC-12 Football Power Rankings week ending 11/23
4. Colorado Buffaloes (2–0)
Last game: (11/14) Colorado got out to a 19-point lead at Stanford more than halfway through the third quarter. Then the defense collapsed. They barely held on as the Cardinal scored 23 of the final 30 points to eke out a 35–32 victory.
This week: The Buffaloes have been in a few barn burners during this condensed season. In their two games so far, they outscored the opposition 83–74. Colorado’s offensive love-fest should continue again this week in Southern California. The Buffs head to USC with first place in the Pac-12 South Division on the line. They better find some defense quick; Southern Cal averages almost 32 points-per-game.
3. Washington Huskies (2–0)
Last game: UW featured both the run and pass in a 42–27 win. Arizona was ready for the Huskies’ ground and pound attack, so quarterback Dylan Morris came out firing passes. Wide receiver Puka Nacua scored a touchdown on the Huskies first series with a nifty 65-yard catch and run. That scoring play was the beginning of an onslaught.
The Huskies put up points on their first four possessions of the first half while holding their opponents scoreless. By the end of quarter three, Washington held a commanding 37–0 lead. Arizona rallied back against the Huskies’ second string in the fourth quarter, but it was over by then.
This week: On Sunday, word came down that the annual Apple Cup game wouldn’t happen because WSU is still battling the COVID-19 monster. That left the Huskies scrambling for an opponent this weekend.
After the Pac-12 lifted their ban on non-conference games, Washington reached out to eighth-ranked Brigham Young, who had a bye week on their schedule. Since a guaranteed game wasn’t possible due to conference rules, BYU turned down the offer.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it), Utah’s opponent this week, Arizona State, was unable to play for the same reason as WSU. So the Pac-12 paired to two healthy teams this week, meaning Utah will face UW at Husky Stadium on Saturday.