Pac-12 Football: Week 2 Power Rankings

The opening weekend for Pac-12 football is officially over! Several teams open their 2011 campaign on the right foot, wile others begin the year with a bitter defeat and dreams of special season slipping from their grasp. No team played a conference game, so each team controls their destiny in representing the conference in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl.

Here are the losers from week one:

Colorado AT Hawaii: 34-17

Oregon VS LSU: 40-27 (Dallas, TX)

Oregon State VS Sacramento State: 29-28 (OT)

UCLA VS Houston: 38-34

And the winners:

Arizona VS N. Arizona: 41-10

Arizona State VS UC Davis: 48-14

Cal VS Fresno State: 36-21 (San Francisco, CA)

Stanford VS San Jose State: 57-3

USC VS Minnesota: 19-17

Utah AT Houston: 38-34

Washington VS 30-27

Washington State VS Idaho State: 64-21

Week One’s Power Rankings

12. Colorado

11. Washington State

10. Cal

9. Oregon State

8. Arizona

7. UCLA

6. Utah

5. Washington

4. USC

3. Arizona State

2. Stanford

1. Oregon

12. Oregon State, -3 Spots

The Oregon State Beavers undoubtedly were the least impressive team in week one. A home loss to FCS Sacramento State is laughable, and truly embarrassing for Beaver Nation. A late comeback by the Beavers ties it up, then a field goal to win the game, but it’s off the mark. The game went into overtime, with OSU on offense first. A quick score and the Beavers are up by a touchdown.

But Sacramento State was not to be denied. They answer back with a 6-yard TD pass from Flemming to Reed; then the two connect again for the two-point conversion. If the Beavers can’t beat an FCS team, how are they going to do in the Pac-12?

Record: 0-1 (0-0)

11. Colorado, +1 Spot

The Colorado Buffaloes move up a spot even with a loss to Hawaii.

The Buffs played a close and competitive game against the Hawaii Warriors, which is very difficult to do on the road.

I still expect the Buffs to finish last in the Pac-12 South, but they might steal a win or two in conference in 2011.

Record: 0-1 (0-0)

10. Washington State, +1 Spot

I know it was only Idaho State, but it was definitely a change seeing the Cougars take anyone to the woodshed.

Washington State’s starting quarterback, Jeff Tuel, went down with an injury early on in the game.

Backup quarterback, Marshall Lobbestael, had a monster day and rallied the team to a victory.

Record: 1-0 (0-0)

9. Utah, -3 Spots

The Utes had a very lackluster opening game against Montana State. Utah came away with a 27-10 victory, but the offense and defense both looked a little rusty. Maybe it was just opening game jitters, but this team needs to get prepared to face a loaded USC team in a week.

Record: 1-0 (0-0)

8. Washington, -3 Spots

A lot of people thought the Huskies would struggle with Eastern Washington; I was not one of them.

I had fairly high expectations for the Dawgs, but FCS power Eastern Washington gave them a battle they nearly lost.

The offense held it’s own, quarterback Price and running back Polk having good games, but the defense allowed 473 yards through the air.

That secondary is awful.

Record: 1-0 (0-0)

7. Arizona, +1 Spot

The Wildcats had a huge day through the air against Northern Arizona. Quarterback Nick Foles passed for 412 yards and 5 TDs in route to a 41-10 victory.

The Wildcats’ defense had an acceptable day, holding N. Arizona to 80 rushing yards and only 10 points.

Record: 1-0 (0-0)

6. Cal, +4 Spots

Cal is the biggest mover up the rankings this week, coming off of a big win over interstate rival Fresno State.

The Bears were a slight favorite, but came away with a convincing 36-21 victory over the Bulldogs.

Record: 1-0 (0-0)

5. UCLA, +2 Spots

The Bruins are the only team to move up two spots after a loss.

UCLA barely left Houston losers, and came only seconds away from beating an incredibly underrated Houston Cougars football team.

UCLA’s starting quarterback, Kevin Prince, again left the game with an injury and backup Richard Brehaut came in and nearly pulled off an incredible comeback.

The Bruins should have gimme win over San Jose State next week before they host a Texas team looking for revenge.

Record: 0-1 (0-0)

4. USC, Push

The Trojans did what they needed to do; they beat a much less talented Minnesota football team.

I expected the Trojans to dominate the game, but the Gophers kept the game close.

USC’s win was disappointing, but not enough to drop them in the rankings.

Record: 1-0 (0-0)

3. Arizona State, Push

The Sun Devils have made it a pattern of beating up on FCS schools. Arizona State faced off against the much less talented Aggies of UC Davis, and the game was over before it even started. Arizona State’s lopsided win wasn’t enough though to jump them into the top-2.

Record: 1-0 (0-0)

2. Oregon, -1 Spot

The Oregon Ducks looked like a team wishing they had some of their key weapons from 2011 still with them. The offensive line battled multiple injuries. They totaled 11 penalties for 89 yards. They turned the ball over four times, which led directly to 20 LSU points. The Ducks may not be the king of the mountain out west. They have a lot still to prove.

Record: 0-1 (0-0)

1. Stanford, +1 Spot

We have a new No. 1; the Stanford Cardinal hop over Oregon after their loss to LSU and their trouncing of San Jose State.

Andrew Luck passed for 171 yards and totaled 3 TDs through the air and ground, and he appears to be as good as advertised.

The showdown on November 12^th when the Cardinal hosts Oregon should decide who is the top team in the Pac-12.

Record: 1-0 (0-0)