BY Brice Larson & Jordan Bianucci
The Pac-12 proved itself to be even deeper than anticipated in week 2. With multiple ranked matchups going in favor of Pac-12 schools and a few tough road wins, the Conference of Champions has be stout to start off the 2023 season. With that being the case, compiling the conference rankings has been a tough task as each team on the top half of the rankings have had quality wins thus far. We also have saved the best for last as we are joined by another member of the ESPN 700 crew for this weeks rankings The Voice of the Utes, Bill Riley, provides his Week 2 Power Rankings he broke down those rankings on Tuesday’s edition of The Bill Riley Show.
Brice Larson’s Week 2 Pac-12 Power Rankings
1.USC
For the second week in a row the Trojans are on top of the Pac-12 Power Rankings. They sleep walked through a 56-10 beat down of Stanford, the worst team in the conference, over the weekend. The Trojans look good, but there are still notable questions on the defensive side. They stay at 1 for now knowing how powerful that offense is.
2. Utah
Utah makes the jump up to the second spot after going on the road and winning in what was an ugly, hard fought football game. The Utes got the job done against a struggling Baylor squad, but the resolve and second half adjustments proved to be the biggest factor for Whittingham’s team. It has also been impressive to see Utah do all of this sans Cam Rising, imagine what they can do when they get their main play caller back under center. Look for the Utes to roll vs a really good FCS foe in Weber State on Saturday.
3. Washington
The Huskies fall a spot in the latest rankings but to no fault of their own. They rolled past Tulsa 43-10 and continue to look like they are already in mid-season form. There will definitely be some great matchups to come at the top of the Pac-12 conference with conference play right around the corner & the Huskies are in the mix for a championship run.
4. Oregon
Oregon was a team that went on the road and won 38-30 against Texas Tech. Lubbock isn’t an easy place to win & it took all that the Ducks had but they were able to flash that high powered offense once again. Look for the Ducks to linger in the top 5 all season long.
5. Colorado
Colorado did it again. They butchered Nebraska 36-14 at home and the whole college football world will be right back in Boulder this weekend with both College Gameday and Fox Big Noon Saturday there to swoon over Deion Sanders & Co. The Buffs will keep the winning streak alive as their in-state rivals Colorado State come to town on Saturday.
6. Oregon State
The Beavers rolled UC Davis in front of a packed Reser Stadium. There is finally some hope in Corvallis and Oregon State could turn some heads with a few marquee wins in the conference slate this season.
7. Washington State
Washington State shocked the nation with its 31-22 win over No.19 Wisconsin on the Palouse Saturday. The Cougs under Dickert might have found their stride and could be another dark horse candidate for a run in a deep Pac-12 this season.
8. UCLA
The Bruins went on the road and defeated SDSU 35-10. While it was a good showing, UCLA stays put at 8 with so many other teams in the Pac-12 having better wins ahead of them. They can still move up the rankings soon with a visit to Salt Lake City in week 4 out on the horizon.
9. Arizona
Although Arizona lost, they took Mississippi State into overtime on the road in Starkville. Not a bad result for a team that has struggled in recent years, but silver linings don’t matter when it comes to power rankings so the Cats stay at 9 this week.
10. California
The Bears lost 14-10 at home vs an Auburn team that we don’t really know much about. The game was ugly and a boring watch for those that stayed up late to consume it. The offense has a lot of work to do and until Cal can prove it can compete they will stay towards the bottom of the rankings.
11. Arizona State
The Sun Devils jumped up a spot after showing they can be competitive at a P5 level with the way they played vs Oklahoma State. They led for a good portion of the game and gave up that lead in the second half. Because of this, they jump over Stanford to the 11th spot but don’t expect them to make waves in conference play this season.
12. Stanford
The Cardinal weren’t ever competitive vs USC over the weekend. Its going to take Taylor a few seasons to put together a winner in Palo Alto, until then they will likely stay in the bottom 5 of the conference.
Jordan Bianucci’s Week 2 Pac-12 Power Rankings
1. USC
The Trojans keep beating bad teams but they’re beating them soundly. After their bye this week, they head to Tempe to take ASU. However, I’m eyeing their week 5 matchup with Colorado. I wonder if that game will have any national interest.
2. Utah
The Utes quarterback play was inconsistent, to put it nicely. However, the defense kept them in the game and Nate Johnson did just enough on their final drive to escape Waco with the win. I know, I know, when is Cam Rising going to play? If you want to know so bad, why don’t you ask Kyle Whittingham? Not so tough now, are you?
3. Oregon
The Ducks pulled off an impressive come-from-behind win on the road at Texas Tech. They have Hawaii this week, then Colorado. If they beat the Buffs it would be hard to justify not having them at #2.
4. Washington
Washington blew out Tulsa. Big whoop. They finally will be tested this weekend when they face Michigan State. Yes, the Spartans are in disarray, but the game is in East Lansing and will be the first power 5 team the Huskies have faced this season.
5. Oregon State
The Beavers beat UC Davis last Saturday and face San Diego State this weekend. Is this a preview of Oregon State’s conference schedule in 2024? Sorry Beaver fans, that was a cheap shot.
6. Colorado
Want to know how bad it’s been in Boulder? Colorado students rushed Folsom Field after beating a Nebraska program that hasn’t been relevant since the Clinton administration.
7. Washington State
How stacked is the Pac-12? Wazzu beat #19 Wisconsin and I have them at 7! This conference is loads of fun and there will be a special place in hell for those that killed it.
8. UCLA
The Bruins beat San Diego State 35-10. I don’t know what to do with UCLA – coincidentally, this is also what the Big-10 said prior to begrudgingly letting them tag along with USC.
9. Arizona
I was sort of impressed that the Wildcats almost beat Mississippi State in Starkville. Not impressed enough to move them up past 9 but still impressed.
10. Arizona State
I actually stayed up late on Saturday to watch ASU and Oklahoma State. The Sun Devils could have at least given up the ghost in the first half so I could go to bed. Instead, they hung around, never really threatening the Cowboys but still goading me into thinking they could make it a close game. Joke’s on me.
11. Cal
The Bears should have beaten Auburn on Saturday. No, really. They missed three field goals and lost 14-10! This game is a microcosm of the last decade of California football.
12. Stanford
Stanford lost to USC 56-10. What’s worse is the Cardinal marching band’s halftime performance wasn’t even vaguely offensive.
Bill Riley’s Week 2 Pac-12 Power Rankings
Bill broke down his rankings on Tuesday’s edition of The Bill Riley Show. Find that full segment along with Bills picks below.
