There is no conference more zany and entertaining than the Pac-12. Nobody is undefeated. Of 18 conference games, the road team has won 14. We've seen three successful hail marys. The Division I passing record broken (in a loss). The most inept officiating in the sport. #Pac12AfterDark has become must watch TV. I have no idea if a Pac-12 team will make the college football playoff. But this season has been a hell of a ride.
Here are the rankings.
North:
1. Oregon (5-1, 2-1) 42-30 over UCLA
Amazing what a difference a week makes. Jake Fisher returns and Oregon's offensive line again looks strong, as the Duck offense finds its running roots and puts up a 42-10 fourth quarter lead in Pasadena. Some garbage time points make the final score look a lot closer than it really was. Oregon still controls its own playoff destiny, but must avoid another slip up to have that shot.
2. Stanford (4-2, 2-1) 34-17 over Washington St.
The Cardinal have the best defense in the land, but will they have enough offense to get through the conference without a couple more losses?
3. washington (5-1, 1-1) 31-7 over California
I refuse to say anything nice about these clowns. Happy I Hate washington Week.
4. Oregon State (4-1, 1-1) BYE
If there is a more dreadfully boring one-loss team in the country, I can't find it.
5. California (2-2, 4-2)
Cal is so much better than anyone expected, but getting those final two wins could prove tough. They get a mad UCLA team, followed by Oregon. Can the young Bears come together enough to spring a true upset? Not if they can't rush for more than 1.9 ypc.
6. Washington State (2-5, 1-3)
The Cougs both score and give up 35 points per game...so naturally they're 2-5. Of course, they've Coug'd it twice already this year. Cougs gonna Coug.
South:
1. Arizona (5-1, 2-1) 26-28 vs. USC
I want to respect the head-to-head, but somebody has a loss to Boston College, and somebody doesn't. But this almost deserves to knock Arizona to No. 6 on the list:
It was one of the worst acting jobs I've ever seen and, yet, I was absolutely stunned the Pac-12 refs didn't buy it.
2. USC (4-2, 3-1)
On his postgame press conference, Steve Sarkisan said that USC was a "hail mary away from being a top-five team in the country." Top five teams don't lose to Boston College. Period. End of story.
3. Utah (4-1, 1-1) BYE
I still think that the season will prove Utah to be the best team in the Pac-12 South. The loss to Washington State was confusing, but their defense is sneaky good.
4. Arizona State (4-1, 2-1) BYE
Taylor Kelly has returned to practice, and is the likely starter next week against Stanford. That ASU went 1-1 without him against the LA schools has them in great shape to make a move in the South.
5. UCLA (4-2, 1-2)
I can't tell you how many times over the years I've seen UCLA look promising on paper in the offseason and see the national writers absolutely fawn over them like fanboys. I've maintained all along that UCLA wasn't that great. After seeing Oregon lay waste to them on Saturday, my feelings are justified. Dear writers, please make UCLA prove something. Anything.
6. Colorado (2-4, 0-3) BYE
Lloyd: "I pictured the Rocky Mountains to be a little rockier than this."
Harry: "Yeah, that John Denver was full of shit."
Next Week:
Thursday:
Utah at Oregon State
Saturday:
Happy I Hate washington Day
UCLA at California
Colorado at USC
Stanford at Arizona State