Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 7: Colorado Buffaloes down to 10th

After a chaotic Week 7 in college football, the Pac-12 is shook. Almost everybody we thought would win lost and those who didn’t nearly did. It was great for us because Colorado escaped disaster and we could laugh at the rest of the chaos.

In addition to the shake up of rankings, we’re doing something different in these power rankings as we’re focusing on the most valuable players on every team in the conference.

1. Washington Huskies (6-1)

Last game: 13-7 loss at Arizona State

Jake Browning and the Huskies looked horrible against a merely mediocre ASU defense. Against a defense that allowed 398 passing yards and three touchdowns to New Mexico State’s quarterback, Browning threw for 139 yards on 30 attempts, which is laughably bad. Browning was also sacked five times and ran for -24 yards. Browning didn’t have the best game of his career, but luckily for his mental recovery, he won’t play a quality defense for another four weeks.

Next game: Bye

2. USC Trojans (6-1)

Last week: 28-27 win over Utah

We write enough about Sam Darnold, so let’s hear it for Ronald Jones II. His running style is so fun to watch as he has that rare combination of smoothness and violence. Against Utah he ran for 111 yards on just 17 carries, including an incredible flip into the end zone to score what would be the deciding score.

Next game: 10/21 at Notre Dame (10/21)

3. Stanford Cardinal (5-2)

Last week: 49-7 win over Oregon

The Bryce Love show continues its tour through the Pac-12 as he led Stanford blowout of Jim Leavitt and the Oregon Ducks. He had a season-low 147 rushing yards, but it was on just 17 carries because Stanford didn’t need to push him after they took a commanding lead. Love is now up to 1,387 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns and he’s averaging an even more impressive 10.3 yards per carry.

Next week: Bye

4. Washington State Cougars (6-1)

Last week: 37-3 loss at California

Everything Washington State does is through Luke Falk. Against Washington State, that was the case once again but in a much different light. He threw a disastrous five interceptions as he ended every chance Wazzu had at putting up points on a decent defense. Falk was also sacked 9 times. And the Cougars also fumbled four times. Even when they’re 6-1 and ranked 15th in the nation, Wazzu fans are nervous as hell because the college football gods hate them with a passion.

Next week: 10/21 vs. Colorado (ESPN)

5. Utah Utes (4-2)

Last week: 28-27 loss at USC

The Utes were a two-point conversion away from upsetting USC for the second consecutive season, but Troy Williams came up just short. Williams is a limited quarterback — he had a wipe-open receiver on that two-point attempt but he didn’t see him when he scrambled — but he has performed admirably after starter Tyler Huntley injured his shoulder. If he keeps playing well and Zach Moss and Darren Carrington continue to be excellent in support, Utah will be just fine.

Next week: 10/21 vs. Arizona State (FS1)

6. Arizona Wildcats (4-2)

Last week: 47-30 win over UCLA

Apparently Khalil Tate is the second coming of Michael Vick. After putting up an FBS-record 327 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns against the Buffs, Tate made life miserable for the Bruins as he ran for 230 yards and 2 TDs. He can also pass pretty well, so good job, Arizona, for not realizing you had a Heisman-quality quarterback on your bench all season.

Next week: 10/21 at California (Pac-12 Networks)

7. California Golden Bears (4-3)

Last week: 37-3 win over Washington State

I reallllllly want to talk about how valuable Luke Falk was to Cal in that 37-3 blowout, but as much as it pains me, credit is due to the Golden Bears defense. I don’t know who Jordan Kunaszyk is — because I can name maybe two Cal players at most and Kunaczyak has only played three games in 2017 — but he had 11 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble against Wazzu. Good job, Kanuzsyck.

Next week: 10/21 vs. Arizona (Pac-12)

8. Oregon Ducks (4-3)

Last week: 49-7 loss at Stanford

The Ducks are swooping awfully close to the LMAOregon days of 2016. They were just hopelessly blown out for the second week in a row and that’s probably going to continue until they find a half-decent quarterback to replace the injured Justin Herbert. Poor Royce Freeman. He had 143 yards against Stanford and he’s now a couple of quality games away from breaking LaMichael James’ career rushing record. It’s a shame Oregon is wasting him with their putrid play and even worse uniforms.

Next week: 10/21 at UCLA (Pac-12)

9. Arizona State Sun Devils (3-3)

Last week: 13-7 win over Washington

As much love as I want to give Manny Wilkins, the Sun Devils only put up 285 total yards (with 40 rushing yards on 32 carries, lol), so I can’t reward their lackluster offense. But that defense tho. Christian Sam had 11 tackles, 0.5 sacks and a pass deflection. Sam has been fantastic all season and he’s averaging nearly 10 tackles per game. Sam has also been great with content all season and deserves a raise.

Next week: 10/21 at Utah (FS1)

10. Colorado Buffaloes (4-3)

Last week: 36-33 win at Oregon State

Phillip Lindsay has carried the Buffaloes as much as humanly possible. With two scores on 185 rushing yards, he was vital for Colorado to avoid an embarrassing loss at Oregon State. He’s now up to 995 rushing yards and 10 TDs and needs just 713 yards to pass Eric Bieniemy to become CU’s all-time rushing leader. As much as we try, we just don’t appreciate him enough.

Next week: 10/21 at Washington State (ESPN)

11. UCLA Bruins (3-3)

Last week: 47-30 loss to Arizona

UCLA got gashed by Khalil Tate but it didn’t help that Josh Rosen had his worst game of the season. When his team needed him to keep up with the Wildcats, Rosen threw for just 219 yards, zero TDs and three interceptions.

Next week: 10/21 vs. Oregon (Pac-12)

12. Oregon State Beavers (1-6)

Last week: 36-33 loss to Colorado

Oregon State actually looked decent against Colorado, but it’s hard to tell if they’re playing better under interim coach Cory Hall or if CU’s defense is just that bad. Either way, OSU pounded the ball with Ryan Nall play after play even though the Buffs knew exactly what was coming. Nall rolled through defender after defender as he had 172 yards and three touchdowns.

Next week: Bye