College Football Power Rankings, Week 4: Pac-10 Wide Receivers

The first true weekend of conference play in the Pac-10 provided plenty of excellent and poor performances for fans, followers, and coaches alike to muse about.

This is particularly true for the quarterbacks of the conference. Some, like Arizona's Nick Foles and Oregon's Darron Thomas, had solid outings this past Saturday.

Others, like Washington State's Jeff Tuel and Oregon State's Ryan Katz, didn't fare quite as well.

Such a disparity certainly affects the receivers that these quarterbacks throw to and will certainly be reflected in this week's power rankings.

As conference play rolls along, expect to see even more shuffling of players in, out, and around the list.

10. Doug Baldwin, Stanford

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 25: Doug Baldwin #89 of the Stanford Cardinal attempts to catch the ball as Robert Blanton #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish defends at Notre Dame Stadium on September 25, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Dani

To be quite honest, Doug Baldwin is still on this list primarily because he's the best receiver on an excellent team.

His performance in ninth-ranked Stanford's 37-24 victory over Notre Dame in South Bend (two catches, 28 yards) certainly doesn't do much to justify his spot in the top 10.

It certainly doesn't help Baldwin that his quarterback, all-conference hopeful Andrew Luck, had a subpar day by his standards, completing 19 of 32 passes for 238 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions.

Baldwin could very well find himself out of the rankings entirely next week, with an epic clash against fourth-ranked Oregon in store for this Saturday.

Last week's ranking: sixth

9. Kerry Taylor, Arizona State

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 19: Wide receiver Kerry Taylor #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils runs with the ball after a reception past Henry Mitchell #11 of the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks during the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 19, 2

As proof that one doesn't necessarily have to win to make the rankings, Arizona State's Kerry Taylor is just the first of two Sun Devil's in this week's edition.

After building a 10-point lead against the Ducks on Saturday, coach Dennis Erickson's squad squandered the opportunity to beat Oregon's offensive machine, surrendering 28 straight points to Chip Kelly's crew in ASU's 42-31 loss.

Taylor helped the Devils build that short-lived lead, snagging four balls for 66 yards and a trip to the end zone, bringing his season stats to 17 catches, 246 yards, and two touchdowns.

He'll have to keep up the solid work against Oregon State this Saturday if he's going to stick around in the rankings, much less move up.

Last week's ranking: not ranked

8. James Rodgers, Oregon State

Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images

BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Wide receiver James Rodgers #8 of the Oregon State Beavers runs in for a touchdown against the Boise State Broncos at Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

If it weren't for his punt returning duties, James Rodgers would no longer be in the rankings.

Jacquizz's older brother managed only 11 yards on two catches in now-unranked Oregon State's loss to third-ranked Boise State on Saturday.

However, Rodgers did contribute a 54-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Broncos, though it wasn't enough to put the Beavers over the top.

Rodgers will need young quarterback Ryan Katz to play much better against Arizona State this weekend if he has any hope of catching enough balls to stick around on this list.

Last week's ranking: seventh

7. Jared Karstetter, Washington State

Jared Karstetter has the talent and experience to stick in the rankings.

Just because Washington State continues to struggle doesn't mean Cougars aren't allowed in the power rankings.

Case in point: Jared Karstetter.

The junior from Spokane was the beneficiary of quarterback Jeff Tuel's brighter moments, amassing 87 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches against USC.

Alas, Karstetter's efforts were far from enough to keep the Cougs in the game, with the Trojans pulling away in Pullman to the tune of a 50-16 finish.

Karstetter could very well find himself back in the rankings, if not higher up, next week if he puts in a solid performance against UCLA's Jekyll-and-Hyde defensive backfield on Saturday.

Last week's ranking: not ranked

6. Mike Willie, Arizona State

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: Mike Willie #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils tries to escape from Niles Brinkley #29 of the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Arizona State 20-19. (Phot

Transfer Steven Threet has been up and down for Arizona State so far this season.

And while the Sun Devils quarterback has struggled at times, wide-out Mike Willie has managed to benefit from a number of Threet's positive points.

The junior transfer from Cerritos CC in southern California snagged five passes for 74 yards and two TD's in the ASU's loss to Oregon on Saturday, bringing his season totals to 18 catches, 229 yards, and three touchdowns.

As great as Willie was against the Ducks, he may have a hard time replicating such success going forward, as he's still Threet's second or third option, at best.

Last week's ranking: not ranked.

5. Marvin Jones, Cal

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 03: Marvin Jones #1 of the California Golden Bears enters the stadium before their game against the USC Trojans at California Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

It's tough to fault Marvin Jones for a drop-off in performance when he has to catch passes from the perpetually underwhelming Kevin Riley.

Especially against the Desert Swarm defense of the Arizona Wildcats.

Nonetheless, Jones was still the leading receiver for Cal in the Golden Bears' heartbreaking loss to the 'Cats in Tucson, pulling down four passes for 41 yards.

Luckily for Jones and his Bears teammates, they have the week off to regroup and figure out whether or not the fans in Berkeley will have to celebrate in the Pac-10 this year.

Last week's ranking: second

4. Jeff Maehl, Oregon

Harry How/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Jeff Maehl #23 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates a tackle during a kick return against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the 96th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Jeff Maehl started at number four in the rankings last week, and did enough against ASU to maintain that same spot in this week's edition.

Maehl was solid once again on Saturday, striking for 31 yards and a touchdown on five catches from scampering quarterback Darron Thomas.

He and the DUcks will have a huge opportunity to make or break their places on different lists this weekend when ninth-ranked Stanford pays a visit to Eugene in what may be the game of the year in the Pac-10.

Last week's ranking: fourth

3. Juron Criner, Arizona

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Jovon Hayes #57 of the Arizona Wildcats jumps into the arms of wide receiver Juron Criner #82 after Criner caught the game winning 3 yard touchdown reception against the California Golden Bears during the fourth quarter of the

As expected, Juron Criner clawed his way up the rankings this week.

Criner not only played well for the Wildcats this weekend, but he did so when it counted most.

The junior captured five passes from quarterback Nick Foles for 68 yards, including a touchdown with a minute and 15 seconds left in the game to put Arizona up for good against Cal, 10-9.

Any receiver can put up big numbers. Only the best can do so in crunch time.

'Cats fans will have to wait a bit longer to see what Criner does next, as Arizona has it's bye this weekend.

Last week's ranking: eighth

2. Ronald Johnson, USC

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans, flanked by Tyron Smith #70 and Ronald Johnson #83, runs off the field after the Trojans scored a touchdown during the first half of the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers

Like many of his Trojan teammates, Ronald Johnson took advantage of the opportunity to pad his stats against woeful Wazzu.

RoJo put together a solid outing in Pullman, accounting for 69 yards and a touchdown on five catches.

While it's certainly to move up any further in the rankings from the number-two spot, Johnson will have the opportunity to do so as USC goes head-to-head with Jermaine Kearse and the Washington Huskies at the L.A. Coliseum on Saturday.

Last week's ranking: third

1. Jermaine Kearse, Washington

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 11: Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse #15 of the Washington Huskies rushes against the Syracuse Orange on September 11, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Jermaine Kearse finds himself back at the top of the rankings by virtue of inactivity.

That is, his Huskies had the week off, so Kearse didn't get to play.

However, he'll be back in action, with a big opportunity to prove his worth as the number-one wide-out in the Pac-10 against 18th-ranked USC on Saturday.

Last week's ranking: first