Pac-10 Football: Power Ranking the Conference Matchups of Week 5

After impressive Week 4 performances, highlighted by UCLA’s upset over Texas, the Pac-10 jumped to second in ESPN’s conference power rankings. The Pac-10 is behind the SEC and ahead of the Big Ten.

There are eight Pac-10 teams in action this weekend and four conference games. This is the first week where every game featuring a Pac-10 team is also a conference game. After a thrilling Week 4 game between the two, Cal and Arizona are the only two teams that will not be in action this weekend.

The four Pac-10 games this week are Washington State at UCLA, Arizona State at Oregon State, Washington at USC, and Stanford at Oregon.

Washington State @ UCLA

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AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: Tailback Johnathan Franklin #23 of the UCLA Bruins runs off the field after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas.

This game ranks last because Washington State is involved. UCLA was impressive in their 34-12 upset of Texas, and if the Bruins can continue to run the ball well, they will dominate the Cougars in the Rose Bowl.

Washington State is 1-3 and is coming off of a 50-16 home loss to USC.

UCLA wins this one easy.

Washington @ USC

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans in action during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on September 18, 2010 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Trojans were impressive last week, but it was against Washington State. The Huskies are coming off of a bye week, but were trashed by Nebraska in Week 3.

The last time Jake Locker was on the field, he went 4-20 and was less than impressive. Locker and the Huskies need to rebound in a big way, but expect Matt Barkley and the Trojans to come away with the victory.

Arizona State @ Oregon State

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 04: Running back Jacquizz Rodgers #1 of the Oregon State Beavers at Cowboys Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Both these teams already have two losses on their record, but all four combined losses have come against ranked teams.

The Beavers are returning home after a loss to the Broncos of Boise State, and the Sun Devils are coming off an ugly loss at home against Oregon.

In back-to-back losses against Wisconsin and Oregon, ASU has shown that they are their own worst enemy. They continue to beat themselves and have shown that they are not ready to win big games.

I expect ASU to suffer because of penalties and missed red zone opportunities. I’m picking the Beavers.

Stanford @ Oregon

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 18: Running back LaMichael James #21of the Oregon Ducks heads to the end zone for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Portland State Vikings at Autzen Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won

This is clearly the best matchup of the week in the Pac-10 and possibly in the country.

Stanford is coming off a win against Notre Dame, and the Ducks are coming off a win against ASU in Tempe. 

The Ducks will be looking for revenge, as the Cardinal upset the Ducks last year behind Toby Gerhart. The Stanford running back is now in the NFL, and the Cardinal will rely on Quarterback Andrew Luck.

Luck has shown that he is talented and capable of winning big games, but at Notre Dame last week, he also showed that he was capable of forcing passes and throwing the ball up for grabs when under pressure.

Oregon is coming off a sloppy win, but a win nonetheless. I expect the Ducks to rely on LaMichael James and their high-scoring offense to defeat the Cardinal in a close game at Autzen Stadium.

ESPN’s College Gameday will be at this game as well.