Pac-10 Week 5 Power Rankings
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by user Deuelio
- USC – Despite barely beating WSU, the Trojans hang on to the top spot. They continue to lack the big plays, but they keep winning, which is the true object of the game. Until someone beats them, you have to rank USC #1.
- Oregon – After thrashing the once proud ASU Sun Devils, the Ducks can now ready themselves for their biggest game since the 2001 Fiesta Bowl. A win here likely puts the Ducks into the top-10 and could mean a trip to a BCS game. It also sets up a showdown at USC on Nov. 11.
- Cal – Shellacked the sinking Beavers and are 2A with Oregon. The Bears now can prepare to take on the high scoring Ducks at home with an offense that looks potent and a defense that has regained some swagger. I knock the Bears down a rung because they lack the quality wins that Oregon does. Plus, in their lone big game this year, they flopped at Tennessee.
- Washington – Ty Willingham can get a program pointed in the right direction that is certain. The Huskies are tied for first in the Pac-10 at 2-0 with wins over Arizona and UCLA. Stanback continues to impress at QB and their defense is holding teams down. The Huskies will get a nice dose of reality at USC and a great shot at an upset.
- ASU – Are they as bad as this? What happened to Rudy Carpenter? Well, he racked up big numbers against some crummy opposition and the Ducks and Bears have made him look awful. He still has great talent around him and that alone will help the Devils right the ship. They have an off week before traveling to USC to try to avoid an 0-3 start.
- Washington State – Moved the ball well on USC and had a shot to win the game. Unfortunately for the ‘Cougs, Alex Brink can’t throw the ball 50 yards into the end zone. However, they have been competitive in most of their games for much of the contest, yes even at Auburn and are 1-1 in the Pac-10. A game against Oregon State is huge if they’d like to get bowl eligible. It’s a big game because the play Cal, Oregon and UCLA the next three weeks.
- UCLA – Wiping the field with Stanford does not cover the flaws in this team. This reminds me of the UCLA teams of old, wildly inconsistent and tough to predict. Their 3-1 with wins of Utah, Rice and Stanford, not exactly a murderers row of opponents. The final stretch of their schedule is brutal - @ Oregon, @ Notre Dame, @ California, @ Arizona State and hosting USC. The days of 10 win seasons in Westwood are done.
- University of Arizona – They have just four conference wins in Mike Stoops’ time at Arizona. No team huffs and puffs more than Arizona and never delivers. The fact is Mike Stoops thought he could come in and dominate the Pac-10 and it hasn’t happened. Although their next four games are incredibly winnable followed by Cal, Oregon and ASU to finish up.
- Oregon State – Beaver Nation is rumbling for a change, at quarterback and at head coach. Yes Mike Riley’s days at OSU should be numbered. The Beavers are now 2-2 with wins over Eastern Washington and Idaho and blowut losses at Boise State and at home vs. Cal. Oregon State has a promising young QB in Sean Canfield, but a defense that thinks tackling is optional. OSU enters a stretch with three straight (presumably) games that they won’t be major underdogs with WSU, Washington and Arizona. Two wins in those three games would be huge..
- Stanford – Would struggle at the NAIA level right now.
Date
Mon 10/02/06, 12:51 pm EST
