PAC-12 Football Power Rankings week ending 12/13
2. Washington Huskies (3–1)
Last game: (12/6) What a disappointment for the Washington Huskies. They were undefeated and cruising towards the Pac-12 Championship game. UW had a home game against home-less Stanford. It seemed like the stars were aligned. Then came the kickoff.
Stanford came at the Huskies like Utah did a week earlier, but with greater and more prolonged success. UW had a good opportunity to score a touchdown on their second possession, driving the ball down to Stanford’s eight-yard line. Despite first-and-goal, the Washington Huskies managed two yards on three plays and had to settle for a field goal.
Boosted by their defensive stand, Stanford only needed nine plays to punch the ball into the endzone again. One more Cardinal field goal, and the deficit was 24-3 at the half.
Just like the previous week, the Huskies came out on fire in the second half. They scored their first touchdown on the first possession of the second half. Unlike last week Stanford answered with a TD of their own. From there, Washington went on a 13-0 run (Stanford blocked an extra point for the second straight week).
UW had their chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter after forcing a fumble and running the ball back to Stanford’s 10-yard line with 10 minutes to go. Instead of punching the ball into the endzone for a potential tying score, Washington went backward due to a pair of holding penalties and had to kick a 45-yard field goal.
The Cardinal controlled the ball for the rest of the game. Washington’s defense must have made their stand on the previous series because this one lasted the final 7:47.
Next Game: Washington can’t play in the Pac-12 Championship game, due to COVID-19 running amok on the roster. Their next game is in a bowl, to be determined.
1. USC Trojans (5–0)
Last game: The comeback kids do it once again. This time USC went on an epic second-half run to overcome a big deficit and win the Battle of Los Angeles, 43–38. It culminated with 16 seconds remaining on an eight-yard touchdown pass. It’s incredible how this team is never out of a game with their quick-strike offense.
Quarterback Kedon Slovis is red-hot. He threw five touchdown passes for the second straight week. After four touchdowns the previous week, Amon-Ra St. Brown was “held” to only two by UCLA. One thing the Trojans can’t do going forward is to give up 544 yards to their opponents.
This Week: USC won the South Division, they host 3–2 Oregon on Friday night. With only six games in the bank, even if they do win, the Trojans won’t go to the College Football Playoffs. But they might have the best offense outside of it.
Related: Pac-12 again shows how unprepared they are for big-time football
It’s Pac-12 Championship week. Check back with us next Tuesday for our updated power rankings.