College Football Power Rankings Week 14: Top 10 Pac-10 Wide Receivers
The Pac-10 college football season has come to a close, which leaves little to do other than reflect back on yet another fall in the West.
Oregon is headed to the BCS National Championship Game against Auburn, Stanford is set to face Virginia Tech in the FedEx Orange Bowl and Arizona and Washington are both looking to add to their 2010 win totals during the bowl season.
On the other hand, the rest of the Pac-10 will be sitting and stewing at home this holiday season, watching and wondering what could have been had they managed to win six games.
With that in mind, here's how the wide receiver rankings shook out after fourteen weeks of play by Pac-10 teams.
10. Marvin Jones, Cal
1 of 10
Marvin Jones' season, like that of the entire Cal football team, came to a rather meek end against Washington.
Jones mustered only 17 yards on two catches against the "vaunted" Huskies secondary in the Golden Bears' 16-13 defeat at home. Such brought Jones' season totals to 50 catches for 765 yards and four touchdowns.
A rather disappointing way for Jones to end his junior season, to say the least.
Last week's ranking: sixth
9. Jared Karstetter, Washington State
2 of 10
Frankly, it would be bad form to leave Jared Karstetter off the final regular season list, regardless of how bad Washington State's football team was this fall.
After fading into anonymity in November, Karstetter came back to life in the Apple Cup against Washington, picking up eight catches for 71 yards and a touchdown.
That performance brought his season statistics up to 62 catches for 658 yards and seven touchdowns—certainly good enough for a spot in the last top 10.
Last week's ranking: not ranked
8. Ronald Johnson, USC
3 of 10
If it weren't for Robert Woods, Ronald Johnson might very well be at the top of this list.
Plain and simple.
Johnson's time as a Trojan came to a rather subdued end in USC's 28-14 win over UCLA at the Rose Bowl.
In that game, Johnson accrued a modest 36 yards on five catches, bringing his final total to 64 catches for 692 yards and eight touchdowns.
Up next for RoJo: the NFL.
Last week's ranking: eighth
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7. Robert Woods, USC
4 of 10
Of course, it could also be said that if not for Ronald Johnson, Robert Woods would atop the Pac-10 wide receiver charts.
Like RoJo, Woods closed out the year with less than a bang, putting up 57 yards on three catches against the crosstown rival Bruins.
Nonetheless, the precocious freshman had himself quite a year, totaling 786 yards and six touchdowns on 64 catches while also chipping in on the ground and in the return game.
Last week's ranking: ninth
6. Markus Wheaton, Oregon State
5 of 10
Finally, a wide receiver who closed out his season with a bang!
Amidst Oregon State's 37-20 defeat to Oregon in the Civil War, Markus Wheaton had himself a productive day, snagging 10 balls for 137 yards and a score.
That performance capped off a breakout year for Wheaton, who came on strong after the loss of James Rodgers to compile 55 catches for 675 yards and four scores.
Should Rodgers return to his prior form, Mike Riley's Beavers will have two excellent options in the passing game.
Last week's ranking: fourth
5. Marquess Wilson, Washington State
6 of 10
A star shines in the Paloose.
Most folks in the college game don't know who Marquess Wilson is, but they certainly should.
Granted, Wilson, merely a freshman, played for the 2-10 Washington State Cougars, so his national exposure was less than minimal.
Regardless, Wilson finished the 2010 season as the second most prolific wide receiver in the Pac-10, accumulating 1,006 yards and six touchdowns on 55 catches.
If Wazzu ever wins games, this guy will be a household name.
Last week's ranking: fifth
4. Jermaine Kearse, Washington
7 of 10
Statistically, Jermaine Kearse should probably be at the top of the power rankings.
After all, Kearse closed out his junior year with six catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns against Washington State, bringing his season totals to 62 catches for 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns.
However, despite being third in the Pac-10 in yards, first in touchdowns and fifth in catches, Kearse's inconsistency is what keeps him from reaching the summit.
Okay, so maybe it's not completely fair, considering how mightily Jake Locker struggled at times this year.
That being said, Kearse is still an excellent receiver, though the erratic nature of season statistics suggest that true stardom requires more than just a few breakout games.
Last week's ranking: 10th
3. Jeff Maehl, Oregon
8 of 10
Oregon fans, and really anyone in general, could argue that Jeff Maehl deserves to finish higher than third on this list.
After all, Maehl is tied for the Pac-10 lead in touchdowns, and is second in receptions and fourth in yardage.
That being said, the senior is about as solid as they come without being spectacular.
That's certainly no knock on Maehl, who is an invaluable cog in the machinery of Chip Kelly's spread offense, which also made stars out of LaMichael James and Darron Thomas this year.
Last week's ranking: second
2. Doug Baldwin, Stanford
9 of 10
Every great quarterback needs an equally capable receiver to make him look good.
For Heisman Trophy finalist Andrew Luck, that person is Doug Baldwin.
Baldwin emerged as Luck's go-to guy as the season progressed, capping off his Cardinal career with five catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
Not a bad way to end a season in which Baldwin twisted and contorted his way to 56 catches for 824 yards and nine touchdowns.
Judging by some of the spectacular catches Baldwin made this season, he may very well have a future playing on Sundays.
Last week's ranking: third
1. Juron Criner, Arizona
10 of 10
Consistency. Flash. Speed. Athleticism. Reliability.
These are just some of the many reasons Juron Criner was the best wide receiver in the Pac-10 in 2010.
Criner finished his junior year at Arizona as the conference leader in receptions (73) and yards (1,186) and as the third-best in touchdown catches (10).
And while Criner's 'Cats finished the season on a downward slope, he continued to improve, accounting for 204 yards and four touchdowns in his last two games.
Last week's ranking: first
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