POWER RANKINGS
Arizona Republic
1. Oregon (5-1, 2-1)
Next: at UCLA
What to know: After dropping a few spots in the Power Rankings following the overtime loss to Stanford, the Ducks have made it back to the top. As the only ranked team in the conference, it is hard to argue this isn’t where Oregon belongs.
2. Utah (4-2, 3-0)
Next: at Oregon State
What to know: The Utes are now the only team undefeated in Pac-12 conference play. Does that mean much? Not yet, but it sure could in a few more weeks.
3. Arizona State (5-2, 3-1)
Next: OFF
What to know: The Sun Devils are still trying to figure out who they are: the team that shows up in Utah or the team that plays everywhere else. The team’s only two losses came at BYU and at Utah.
4. UCLA (5-2, 3-1)
Next: vs. No. 10 Oregon What to know: The Bruins beat the Ducks just three times since 2000. Oregon is beatable this season and UCLA isn’t a pushover. This will be a game to watch.
5. Oregon State (4-2, 2-1)
Next: vs. Utah What to know: The Beavers have been one of the Pac-12 surprises this season. A win against Utah would move them up the North standings and closer to a potential Rose Bowl game.
6. Washington State (4-3, 3-2)
Next: vs. BYU
What to know: There are a lot of question marks for the Cougars after head coach Nick Rolovich and four assistants were fired for failing to comply with the university’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.
7. Stanford (3-4, 2-3)
Next: OFF
What to know: After losses to Arizona State and Washington State the week off will give the Cardinal a chance to right things before hosting Washington and Utah in consecutive weeks.
8. USC (3-3, 2-3)
Next: at No. 13 Notre Dame
What to know: This game was a lot more enticing when it was scheduled some years ago. The Trojans have either won big or lost big. Fans should be able to guess which one this will be.
9. Washington (2-4, 1-2)
Next: at Arizona
What to know: Games against Arizona and Stanford in the next two weeks won’t do much to prepare the Huskies for No. 10 Oregon in early November, but they should be 3-2 in the Pac-12 when they face the Ducks.
10. California (1-5, 0-3)
Next: vs. Colorado
What to know: Still looking for their first conference win, the Golden Bears have a good shot this week. Looking ahead at the schedule, Cal could get wins against Arizona, USC, and Stanford.
11. Colorado (2-4, 1-2)
Next: at California
What to know: Riding some momentum off a shutout of Arizona,
the Buffaloes have a chance to win two straight this week and move to .500 in conference play.
12. Arizona (0-6, 0-3)
Next: vs. Washington
What to know: The Wildcats lost to another bottom-dweller by 34 points. Since they are already at the bottom of the list, there isn’t a way to drop them
any further down the rankings.