12 Pac Review: #Pac12AfterDark Strikes In Corvallis

While the Pac-12 slate didn't look all that interesting this week, the games proved to be quite enthralling. Washington/Arizona and Utah/Stanford went down to the wire. But the real action was in Corvallis. Arizona State had climbed up to No. 6 in the college football playoff rankings, giving themselves a chance into the dance with wins over Arizona and Oregon. Instead, even their chances to make the Pac-12 Championship Game likely went up in smoke in Corvallis as the improbable Beavers, facing a ten point halftime deficit, showed life for the first time all season. They didn't just beat the Sun Devils, they beat them up and shut them down, and sent ASU back to the desert as the week's biggest losers. Fans in Los Angeles, Westwood, and Tucson approve wholeheartedly. Here are your power rankings this week.

North

1. Oregon (9-1, 6-1) BYE

The Ducks got to sit back a week and look at getting healthy. Colorado comes to town with absolutely nothing to lose.

2. Retired

Outside of Oregon, this may be the worst division in football. These teams are not worthy of touching the Ducks.

3. Oregon State (5-5, 2-5) 35-27 vs. Arizona State

This division is terrible, so beating a top ten team gets you this spot for a week. The Beavers will inevitably fall to bottom again when they put up 210 yards and throw five interceptions in a loss to Washington next week. At least they have more top-25 wins this year than Florida State.

4. California (5-5, 3-5) 30-38 at USC

I'm beginning to think that Cal is the second best team in this division and, after they beat a terrible Stanford team to win the axe, and a bad BYU squad, they'll have a legit seven wins, which is impressive after the disaster they were last season.

5. Stanford (5-5, 3-4) 17-20 vs. Utah in OT

With Cal and UCLA left on the schedule, it's conceivable, perhaps even probable, that they don't go bowling this year. I'm all broken up about that.

6. Washington (6-5, 2-5) 26-27 at Arizona

It ain't so easy when you're not playing New Mexico and Wyoming every week, is it Coach Pete?

7. Washington State (3-7, 2-5) BYE

Also has more top-25 wins than Florida State.

South

1. UCLA (8-2, 5-2) BYE

I keep telling myself that UCLA isn't any good, and yet here they are. Huh.

2. USC (7-3, 6-2) 38-30 vs. Cal

USC is starting to figure it out, and their three losses are by a total of 13 points. But losing to Boston College remains unforgivable.

3. Arizona (8-2, 5-2) 27-26 vs. Washington

It seems like Arizona's best football is behind them this season. With a trip to Salt Lake City and a Territorial Cup tilt with ASU, they have the Pac's toughest remaining schedule.

4. Arizona State (8-2, 5-2) 28-35 at Oregon State

CHOKE!

5. Utah (7-3, 4-3) 20-17 at Stanford in OT

The top five teams in the South are all better than the No. 2 team in the North.

6. Colorado (2-8, 0-7) BYE

Would probably finish third in the ACC.

Next Week

Washington State at Arizona State

Colorado at Oregon

Arizona at Utah

Oregon State at Washington

Stanford at California

USC at UCLA