College Football Power Rankings, Week 10: Pac-10 Wide Receivers
After 10 weeks of games this season, it seems as though a solid top 10 list of wide receivers in the Pac-10 has been established.
All that's left now is to see how the rankings shuffle around over the last month of the 2010 campaign.
To be fair, Oregon's Lavasier Tuinei came close to landing at least a temporary spot on this week's list, thanks to the 78 yards and the touchdown that he put up against USC.
However, the rankings being determined through "objective" means, it would be unfair at this point to bump a player like Stanford's Doug Baldwin or Cal's Marvin Jones, who have each had solid and relatively consistent seasons, for a flash-in-the-pan performance by Tuinei.
That being said, let's see how the Pac-10's top wide-outs fared.
10. Doug Baldwin, Stanford
1 of 10
Credit in Stanford's locker room for the Cardinal's 41-0 humiliation of Washington belongs mostly to the team's defense, for limiting the Huskies to 107 total yards, and to the running game, for putting up 278 yards and four touchdowns.
But let's not forget the efforts of Doug Baldwin, who has emerged as Andrew Luck's most consistent target.
Baldwin kept himself in the rankings with a solid outing of 56 yards on five catches.
With the 10th-ranked Cardinal facing the 13th-ranked Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, coach Jim Harbaugh will need all he can get from Baldwin and the rest of the Stanford offense against a stingy Desert Swarm D.
Last week's ranking: 10th
9. Marvin Jones, Cal
2 of 10
Like Baldwin, Cal's Marvin Jones put in a good enough effort to keep him in the same spot he was in last week.
Though the Golden Bears were dismantled by Oregon State, 35-7, Jones was able to get his, pulling down five balls for 66 yards.
He and the rest of his teammates will have a golden opportunity to bounce back with a game against Washington State on tap for Saturday.
Last week's ranking: ninth
8. Jared Karstetter, Washington State
3 of 10
As expected, Washington State struggled in its loss to Arizona State this past Saturday.
However, the way in which the Cougars lost–getting shut out 42-0–certainly put a damper on the work of Jared Karstetter.
Wazzu quarterback Jeff Tuel struggled against the Sun Devils' defense, resulting in a down week (five catches, 55 yards) for the reliable Karstetter.
Will things change against Cal?
For the Cougs, probably not. But for Karstetter, perhaps.
Last week's ranking: eighth
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7. Markus Wheaton, Oregon State
4 of 10
In only a few weeks, Markus Wheaton has established himself as a steady, if not spectacular, player in the wake of the loss of James Rodgers to injury.
While Wheaton's receiving numbers (six catches for 57 yards) might not blow anyone away, consider also that he chipped in another six carries for 73 rushing yards.
Such makes Wheaton the Beavers' most prolific receiver AND the team's second-best rusher.
Not bad for a fill-in.
Last week's ranking: seventh
6. Jermaine Kearse, Washington
5 of 10
As the Huskies go, so goes Jermaine Kearse.
So it would seem.
With Jake Locker struggling in what turned out to be a lopsided showdown with Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, Kearse managed an uncharacteristically modest four catches for 53 yards.
While Kearse would seem to be a prime candidate to move down even further after this performance, such would be unfair to a player who just recently put up four touchdowns in a single game and who still leads the conference in receiving touchdowns.
However, if Locker continues his shaky play, Kearse's numbers–and his spot in the rankings–may suffer for it.
Last week's ranking: sixth
5. Ronald Johnson, USC
6 of 10
Rain or shine, win or lose, Ronald Johnson always manages to contribute a solid effort to USC's cause.
In the Trojans' 53-21 loss to top-ranked Oregon, RoJo hauled in four passes for 65 yards and a touchdown while also accumulating 94 yards on four punt returns.
It's abundantly clear that Johnson is good enough to be the Pac-10's best receiver. Now, if only Lane Kiffin would feature him in the offense a bit more...
Last week's ranking: fourth
4. Robert Woods, USC
7 of 10
The gap in the USC offense between Robert Woods and Ronald Johnson would seem to be narrowing.
While Woods caught seven passes to Johnson's four, Johnson put up more yards (65 to Woods' 59) and accounted for a USC touchdown.
That's not to say that Woods is necessarily slacking. After all, he is a freshman playing alongside one of the most talented receivers in the country.
Also, it's still somewhat difficult to ignore the fact that Woods posted 200 yards on eight kickoff returns.
Last week's ranking: first
3. Marquess Wilson, Washington State
8 of 10
It's been said a million times already, but Marquess Wilson really is THE hope for the future in Pullman, Washington.
In yet another shutout for Washington State, Wilson held steady with five catches for 89 yards.
If this kid played on a decent team, he'd be all over the national college football scene.
Without a doubt.
Last week's ranking: third
2. Juron Criner, Arizona
9 of 10
Juron Criner checks in as this week's biggest mover-and-shaker among wide receivers.
With another fantastic game (eight catches for 127 yards and a touchdown), this time against UCLA, Criner finds himself within a stone's throw of the top spot once again.
A big performance against Stanford in the Pac-10 Game of the Week would go a long way toward putting Criner back in the driver's seat.
Last week's ranking: fifth
1. Jeff Maehl, Oregon
10 of 10
After spending the entire season in the top half of the power rankings, Jeff Maehl finally finds himself atop the mountain.
And he certainly scaled the peak emphatically.
Amidst top-ranked Oregon's statement win over USC at the Coliseum, Maehl outshone the Trojans' two catching contestants–as well as the rest of the receivers in the conference–by accounting for eight catches, 145 yards, and three touchdowns.
An impressive line, to be sure, but one that is made even more amazing considering the run-first nature of the Ducks' high-flying offense.
Perhaps Maehl will finally get the respect nationwide that he truly deserves.
Last week's ranking: second
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