Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 5: Fantastic Finishes

Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 5

Welcome to the Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 5. Between the amazing UCLA comeback against Washington State and referees in the Ole Miss game, the Pac-12 was the buzz of the nation after week 4. It is clear that the Pac-12 is getting respect nationally because there are five teams ranked between 11-21. Oregon, Washington, Cal, and USC all have a shot at winning the Pac-12 and landing a berth in the College Football Playoff Top 4 if things shake out in their favor.

For Reference Check out the Pac-12 Power Rankings from Week 4

Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 5:

Teams are ranked by the correct criteria: quality wins, schedule played, and dominance. Only games played matter. No consideration is given for future games. The Pac-12 Power Rankings will available on Unafraid Show every Monday morning. Make sure you send your comments and grievances to immad@unafraidshow.com.

12. Oregon State Beavers (1-2)

Last Week: IDLE

The Beavers got to enjoy their win for another week and put in new wrinkles for Stanford. At this point, that looks like a very winnable game for OSU. It is at home against a wounded Stanford. They just have to figure out a way to stop the run. Right now, OSU is dead last in the Pac-12 against the run giving up 207 ypg.

11. Stanford Cardinal (1-2)

Last Week: 21-6 (L) at Oregon

This team is headed in the wrong direction fast. We have seen cracks in the David Shaw system for the last couple of years, but the dam finally broke. He is part of the Jim Harbaugh coaching tree and they both are suffering the same fate. Neither can produce any kind of effective or explosive offense for the last two seasons. Other teams have adjusted to Stanford’s running attack and David Shaw has been unwilling to change his offense. If they lose to Oregon State, the Pac-12 world will be in shock.

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10. Arizona Wildcats (2-1)

Last Week: IDLE

Arizona should feel good about themselves on the heels of their Texas Tech victory and week off. Khalil Tate is now their leading passer and rusher again. Over the last two games, Arizona has looked more like the 2017 team that saw Khalil Tate be dynamic with his legs. Their biggest issue is on defense. The Wildcats are giving up 33 ppg and 484 ypg, both of which are 2nd to last in the Pac-12. Big game vs UCLA this week.

9. UCLA Bruins (1-3)

Last Week: 67-63 (W) Washington State

Epic comeback for the ages by UCLA. By now, you would have to be living under a rock to have missed highlights of their 32-point comeback in a quarter and a half against Washington State. I am left with more questions about this team than answers. Did the “light” come on for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson? Did Chip Kelly find his offensive groove again? Was the second half of the Wazzu game the real UCLA, or are they the team that couldn’t score more than 14 points their first three games? If they can put together a string of victories they will find themselves flying up the Pac-12 Power Rankings.

8. Arizona State Sun Devils (3-1)

Last Week: 31-34 (L) vs Colorado

Herm Edwards summed up the difference between college and pro teams perfectly. He said pro teams are consistent and you know what you will get on a week in and week out basis. College teams are inconsistent from week to week. His Sun Devils were the epitome of that in week 4. Their offense had struggled against Sacramento State and Michigan State while their defense was stout. Against Colorado, their offense was explosive and their defense was porous.

7. Washington State Cougars (3-1)

Last Week: 63-67-28 (L) vs UCLA

Coug’d it. College football fans got to see a ridiculously improbable comeback. But, there is another side to the story. Washington State has to pick up the pieces after a historic collapse. Will they regroup and play well against Utah on the road this week, or will they let UCLA beat them twice?

The Cougars only improved their amazing offensive numbers against UCLA. Anthony Gordon is leading the nation in passing yards and touchdown passes.

6. Colorado Buffaloes (3-1)

Last Week: 34-31 (W) vs Arizona State

Mel Tucker’s team can’t play defense yet, but they can score points and they are battle-tested. The good news is that they finally started fast. They fell behind early in their last two games but came out strong versus ASU. The Buffaloes get a week off in week 5. Their fans have to be happy about this 3-1 start but know that they will have to finish strong to make a bowl game.

5. Utah Utes (3-1)

Last Week: 23-30 (L) vs USC

This had to be a deflating loss for Utah. They were preseason Pac-12 favorites, ranked #10 in the country and had rolled through non-conference play. However, I have been saying it since the season started, their offense will be their demise. We all know their defense is usually spectacular, but to win championships, your offense will need to save the day sometimes. Utah’s offense and QB Tyler Huntley aren’t built to score a lot of points or have amazing passing days. This is still a really good team that can win the Pac-12 South but will need to regroup.

4. USC Trojans (3-1)

Last Week: 30-23 (W) vs Utah

New QB, no problem. USC has started three different quarterbacks this season and has won three games. That is a huge testament to Graham Harrell and Clay Helton for having the young guys ready. It is also, really easy to be a 300-yard passer when you have the best receiving core in the nation to throw to. Many people expected Clay Helton to be 1-3 and on the way out the door at this point in the season. He’s proving he won’t be fired without a fight.

USC fans are so conflicted, they are happy to be winning, but frustrated that Clay Helton is the one leading them.

3. Washington Huskies (3-1)

Last Week: 45-19 (W) vs BYU

Since their loss to Cal, Washington has put down two impressive performances. They dismantled Hawaii and BYU. It seems like Jacob Eason and this offense are in a real groove. Can they continue to put up these types of offense performances against the top defenses in the conference, Oregon, and Utah?

The Huskies were in this position last year and still managed to win the Pac-12 and get a Rose Bowl berth.

2. Cal Golden Bears (4-0)

Last Week: 28-20 (W) at Ole Miss

What in the hell got into Chase Garbers against Ole Miss? He passed for 357 yards and 4 touchdowns. Do you realize that is about 15% of his career total passing yards? If he can continue this high level of play, Cal can go undefeated and win the Pac-12. their defense is suffocating and unrelenting. Imagine what happens when Justin Wilcox gets a team full of 4-5*athletes.

1. Oregon Ducks (3-1)

Last Week: 21-6 (W) Stanford

The Ducks are putting the conference and nation on notice they are back. Justin Herbert has put up excellent passing numbers despite missing the best parts of their receiving corps for all of this season. Oregon’s defense is #13 in the nation for total defense and hasn’t allowed a touchdown in three straight games. The only thing that can slow the Ducks down is their inability to generate explosive running plays this season. If they get the running game on track this team has enough momentum to propel them to the College Football Playoff.

Check back every Monday for the Pac-12 Power Rankings.

Best Offensive Performances from Pac-12 Football: Week 4

Max Borghi Washington State

Pac-12 Football is Hot as Ever

Pac-12 Conference states

Week 3 was great, but Week 4 of Pac-12 football was unbelievable. There were a plethora of upsets, heartbreaks and big-time players. Which offensive players made the biggest differences this week?

Best Quarterback Performance

Anthony Gordon – Washington State

Anthony Gordon melted faces in Washington State’s loss to UCLA. That earned him a repeat on this best of Pac-12 football list.

Somehow, even though Gordon threw nine, yes nine, touch down passes, Washington State lost. It’s incredible how good Anthony Gordon continues to be, but he’s anchored by WSU’s dreadful defense.

Yes, Washington State blew a 49-17 lead. But, was that Gordon’s fault? Here are the results of each Washington State drive in the second half:

  • Anthony Gordon touchdown pass
  • Anthony Gordon touchdown pass
  • Anthony Gordon completes pass to Rodrick Fisher, then Fisher loses fumble
  • Punt
  • Anthony Gordon completes pass to Dezmon Patmon, then Patmon loses fumble
  • Anthony Gordon touchdown pass
  • Punt
  • Anthony Gordon touchdown pass
  • Anthony Gordon completes pass to Eason Winston Jr., then Winston Jr. loses fumble
  • Anthony Gordon sacked and loses fumble

Honestly, Gordon’s second half was still ridiculous. He still threw four touchdowns, but he was hampered by three of his players. Fisher, Patmon and Winston Jr. lost the ball and stopped the drives. Looking back at this game, people will inevitably remember Gordon as a loser. But, Anthony Gordon just gave Pac-12 football a performance of a lifetime.

Best Running Back Performance

Max Borghi – Washington State

Electric. Mex Borghi continues to impress with his versatility. As a runner, he’s capable of breaking 50-plus runs at any time. But, Borghi also adds a large threat as a receiver, evidenced by his 65-yard touchdown against UCLA.

This season, Borghi has 325 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, 13 receptions, 169 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. He’s the type of pass-catching running back the NFL craves.

Best Wide Receiver Performance

Tony Brown – Colorado

In Colorado’s victory (yet another Pac-12 football upset), Tony Brown accounted for three of their four touchdowns. He caught touchdown passes of 29-yards, 31-yards and 20-yards. His touchdowns were each unique and displayed a well-rounded skill-set:

  • Scramble-Drill and YAC
  • Diving Catch in End Zone
  • Contested Catch in End Zone
https://youtu.be/t5SD4SNATeY

Best of all, this game was out of nowhere for Tony Brown. Currently, his career high in receiving yards is 333 yards in one season. Against Arizona State, he had 150 yards. Prior to this game, he totaled three receiving touchdowns. In his career! During this game, he had three. It was unbelievable. Laviska Shenault Jr. was out and Tony Brown had the best game of his career. What a story for Pac-12 football fans!

Best Tight End Performance

Jake Tonges – Cal

As easy as it would be to give this award to Jacob Breeland again, it goes to Jake Tonges. Yes, Breeland is certainly deserving with his two-touchdown performance. But, it was against freefalling Stanford. Tonges, on the other hand, made the difference against Ole Miss. With this performance, he helped Pac-12 football earn more respect.

Against Ole Miss, Tonges made all his money in the second half. His receptions were more than just the box-score shows. Here are the results of his three receptions:

  • On 3rd & 14, Tongues makes a 15-yard catch for a first downTwo plays later, Cal scores a touchdown
  • Tongues catches a 60-yard touchdown pass
  • Tongues catches a 13 yard pass, resulting in a first down

Who are the Best Pac-12 football players?

If you disagree with this list, send in your own recommendations. Each week, Unafraidshow will rank the best quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end performances from Pac-12 football. Be sure to comment or tweet at unafraidshow with your favorite moments of each Pac-12 football week.

College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 5 As it Should Be

The Rules: No Bias, No Bull College Football Rankings

What a great weekend of college football. It started with Utah losing to USC and continued on through the dog fight between Georgia and Notre Dame. Michigan was exposed as fools gold and UCF saw their playoff hopes fly out the window. Saturday could have been a perfect slate of games had Clemson and Alabama played competitive teams. Week 4 in college football provided a lot more information about teams in the College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 5 As it Should Be.

There is no more unbiased ranking out there than Unafraid Show’s College Football Top 10 Rankings Week 5. I get criticized from time to time by people who only want to see the college football world through the lens of the AP Poll. These rankings are not going to look like the AP Poll. Open your eyes to see a different view of evaluating the top 10. Most polls including the College Football Playoff Committee give college blueblood teams a massive “benefit of the doubt.” I don’t believe in that. Teams are ranked by the correct criteria: quality wins, schedule played, and dominance. After the preseason rankings, only games played matter. No consideration is given for future games.

I re-rank the top 10 every Sunday from scratch. The previous week’s rankings do not factor into the next week. So, the rankings will change, sometimes drastically every week because we will have new information. So make sure to come back every Sunday. For reference, you can check College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 4.

College Football Top 10 Rankings Week 5:

Next Up: Florida, Notre Dame, Cal, Penn State

10. Oregon Ducks (3-1)

Last Week: 21-6 at Stanford (W)

After their week one loss to Auburn, the Ducks have bounced back in a major way. Their defense has not allowed a touchdown in three straight games. Justin Herbert also NCAA leading extended his touchdown streak. If you are looking for a team that may crash the College Football Playoff, its the Ducks.

9. Texas Longhorns (3-1)

Last Week: 36-30 (W) vs Oklahoma State

Another complete performance by Texas. They took OSUs best shot and responded came out with a solid conference victory. The concern with Texas is that they have given up 45 and 30 points in their two Power 5 games. Sam Ehlinger is poised and is in full command of his team. He will need to be in top form all season because Big-12 play will not be a cakewalk like the ACC for Clemson.

Check out our Pac-12 Football Podcast, Pac-12 Apostles:

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8. Wisconsin Badgers (4-0)

Last Week: 35-14 (W) vs Michigan

The Badgers dominated Michigan in every way possible and UCF lost, so it’s only natural that Wisconsin jumps into the top 10. Jonathan Taylor only played half the game and still rushed for 203 yards and two touchdowns. This is clearly not the same Wisconsin team that started the season ranked #4 last year but finished unranked. Their ability to pass the ball efficiently to complement their rushing attack makes them dangerous.

7. Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0)

Last Week: 76-5 (W) vs Miami (OH)

Ohio State got a glorified week off before Miami (OH) this week. The Buckeyes are in the same position as Alabama. They haven’t played any real competition, but they have obliterated every team in their way. Justin Fields and JK Dobbins look unstoppable. We will see if they can dominate next week against Nebraska.

Sidenote: We can just make OSU 5-0 now because it’s clear they won’t be losing to Michigan.

6. Auburn (4-0)

Last Week: 28-20 (W) vs Texas A&M

Auburn got a quality win against a Texas A&M, but it was not pretty. Bo Nix still has not has a good passing day, and their offense finished with less than 300 total yards. I’m not sure how much longer they can win games without putting together good offensive performances. Their defense appears as good as advertised. I had to move Auburn ahead of Ohio State because they have two quality wins.

5. Oklahoma Sooners (3-0)

Last Week: IDLE

Oklahoma finished non-conference play with maximum level dominance. The only question about this team is their defense. How much have they improved since last season?

4. Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0)

Last Week: 49-7 (W) at Southern Miss

Nick Saban cried about the heat and the 11 am start time for their game against Southern Miss. There was also a big deal made about Alabama starting 5 freshman due to injuries. In the end, it didn’t matter. The Crimson Tide are too powerful to be even slowed down by their competition. If there is any concern for this team it is their ability to run the football. Bama has been able to run the ball at will for the better part of a decade, but this year has not been quite as dominant.

I am still extremely frustrated that Bama is so good and so talented but we have to watch them play four non-conference

3. Georgia Bulldogs (3-0)

Last Week: 23-17 (W) vs Notre Dame

Georgia makes a huge leap in the top 10. They have been dominant all season, and now they have a quality win. Their key to beating Notre Dame was their ability to stop the run. The Bulldogs controlled the second half and were able to hold on for a win against a good football team. They say if you want to beat UGA, make Fromm throw the ball more than 30 times. Teams will be keying on the run game so he will have to win one or two games with more than 30 pass attempts to win the SEC.

2. LSU (4-0)

Last Week: 66-38 (W) vs Vanderbilt

My mind is completely blown watching LSU’s passing offense. If Les Miles had an offense this competent we would be talking about him instead of Nick Saban as king of the SEC. The Tigers scored 66 points with Joe Burrow throwing for 398 yards and 6 touchdowns. Ed Orgeron is proving that he deserved this job and can compete with Alabama this season.

1. Clemson Tigers (4-0)

Last Week: 41-6 (W) at Charlotte

Clemson already has wins over two Power 5 teams and has displayed dominance only paralleled by Alabama. They got a gimmie against Charlotte and showed out offensively and defensively. Their schedule has no teams left that are currently ranked or have a chance to be ranked. Unlike other teams who have bad schedules because their non-conference games are bad, it’s Clemson’s conference schedule that is poor. If they lose any games, you will see them miss the playoff.

With all that said, It is clear why the Tigers are #1.

Check back next Sunday morning for the College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 5.

Utah vs USC on a Friday Night is Another Pac-12 Conference Bad Idea

Pac-12 9am games Larry Scott Commissioner

Utah vs USC Starts at 9:00pm EST

Utah Utes logo

Sitting at No.10 overall, Utah eyes its first college football playoff birth. It’s a great time to be a Utah fan. Their upcoming matchup is the Pac-12 South game of the year. Utah vs USC. No. 10 Utes vs the now-competitive Trojans. If Utah continues to win, they’ll surely rise up the ranks. But, Pac-12 scheduling set this game for Friday night. Will this night game hurt their national exposure? In a line of poor ideas and bad commissioning from Larry Scott, Utah’s late matchup harms both Utah and the Pac-12. The conference outsources it’s scheduling to a company in Colorado. Then the Pac-12 brass, school presidents, and athletic directors approve it.

The Problem with Night Games

Keep in mind, night games are not inherently a problem. Especially for east coast teams and viewers. But, on a Friday night, Pac-12 games can be extremely bothersome. For example, the Utah vs USC game starts at 6:00pm on the west coast. That’s not too bad. For those who get off work at 5:00, they can make it home by the first whistle.

However, that same time is 9:00pm for east coast viewers. It’s not rocket science to figure out why that is a bad idea. Because college football games last an average of 3 1/2 hours, they have to stay up past midnight to see how it ends. 12:30am, at the end of a workweek, to watch a Pac-12 rivalry game. Honestly, how many non-conference fans would commit to that for Pac-12 games? It undermines national exposure for the Pac-12 conference.

Even Chris Peterson agrees with this sentiment.

“It hurts us tremendously in terms of national exposure. No one wants to watch our game on the East Coast that late, and we all know it,”

Chris Petersen, 2017

Late games just get less eyes. From fans, from scouts and from the press. For a contending team like Utah, they need all the eyes they can get. But, because of Larry Scott and his ideas, he’s holding back the Pac-12. Again.

We Discuss the Friday Night games more on Pac-12 Apostles Podcast

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Why Does Larry Scott Want Late Games?

“The reason we play almost a third of our games at night is that was a way to unlock significant value from television in our last negations,” Scott said. “ESPN and Fox placed a high value on us giving them a little more flexibility and being willing to play more night games.”

Larry Scott

“We essentially extend their day,” Scott said. “We give them a whole other window of high-quality, highly rated games. … Playing more night games than we did in the past unlocked the kind of value our schools were looking for.”

Larry Scott

To Larry Scott, the exclusivity of the late-night games are worth the pain. With more flexibility to play later, he claims to obtain “high value”. However, perhaps it is just a complete lack of leverage. Recall that Larry Scott deliberately put a wedge between major networks and the Pac-12. Betting on the Pac-12 Network to hit it big didn’t happen. Because every other power five conference has contracts with these networks, it leaves the Pac-12 to pick up the scraps. So, instead of putting the lower-ranked teams in the Friday night lights, Larry Scott and the Pac-12 schedulers put Utah.

For goodness sake, the Utah vs USC game deserves to get national exposure. The Utes deserve that. Does anyone think Roll Tide fans would stand for this? Of course not. If Larry Scott wants a Pac-12 program to make it to the college playoffs, he has to put steps in place for them to get there. Playing on Saturday, during the day, when everyone can view them, is best practice. But, then again, it’s unclear if Larry Scott actually knows what’s best for the Pac-12.

Best Offensive Performances from Pac-12 Football Week 3

College football players undrafted Hunter Bryant Washington Hawaii

Pac-12 Football Highlights of Week 3

Pac-12 Conference states

Last week, Kedon Slovis, K.D. Nixon, Marcel Dancy and Jacob Breeland rounded out the best Pac-12 football offensive performances. This week, we have new and fresh faces.

Best Quarterback Performance

Anthony Gordon – Washington State

For Cougar fans, Anthony Gordon finally makes this list. And rightfully so. Against New Mexico State and Northern Colorado, it made sense to keep some skepticism. Gordon and the Cougars weren’t truly tested in either of those outings. But, in Week 3, against a competitive Houston football team, Anthony and the Pac-12 football Cougs maintained their excellence.

In three straight weeks, Anthony Gordon passed for at least 420 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is a perfect fit for the Mike Leach Air Raid offense. Gordon already has:

  • 96 completions on 122 attempts
  • 1,324 passing yards
  • 12 touchdowns
  • 2 interceptions

Counting stats are great. But, leading a team, down 7-14 at half, to beat Houston 31-24 shows incredible poise. In the win, he spread the ball around to nine different receivers and completed 75-percent of his passes. Four different receivers caught passes of 30-plus yards. His arm-strength, pocket-awareness and overall quarterback abilities were on full display. 

With performances like this each week, Gordon is making a case to be drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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Best Running Back Performance

Zack Moss – Utah

Other than Eno Benjamin, there is no running back better than Zack Moss in Pac-12 football. Against Idaho State, Moss recorded his 13th 100-yard game, rushing for 106 yards on just 10 carries. With a touchdown, he passed Eddie Johnson for Utah’s No.2 spot in Ute rushing touchdowns. If Moss scores five more rushing touchdowns this season, he breaks Del Rodgers’ Utah career record. For Utah, Moss is a steady contributor of power and big plays.

Consider his first touch of the game. Moss took the handoff, spun away from a tackle and ran for 38 yards. It’s unreal how efficient and effect he’s been thus far. Pac-12 football fans haven’t even seen him unlocked yet because utah keeps running away with games. Moss does more with 10 carries than other backs do with 20. 

Best Wide Receiver Performance

Laviska Shenault Jr. – Colorado

To anyone that watched Pac-12 football’s Colorado take on Air Force, one thing was clear: Laviska Shenault Jr. could not be stopped.

After a slow start against Colorado State and Nebraska, Shenault exploded in Week 3. He showed speed, power and reliability. Shenault was dynamic as a receiver and even as a runner.

On 11 touches, he amassed nearly 150 yards from scrimmage and 2 touchdowns. He was the difference-maker for Colorado again and again. It’s a pity that Colorado couldn’t extend their win-streak. But, Shenault did show why he belongs with the best playmakers in Pac-12 football.

Best Tight End Performance

Hunter Bryant – Washington

Through three weeks of college football, Hunter Bryant is PFF’s top-graded tight end. And not just in Pac-12 football programs. In the country! His athleticism and receiving abilities are exceptional. Against Hawaii, Bryant broke free for the opening touchdown. His 47-yard catch and run epitomizes his offensive ability.

Against Hawaii, Byrant was the Huskies leading receiver. 

  • 6 Targets
  • 5 Receptions
  • 115 Yards
  • 1 Touchdown

It was an excellent game for Hunter Bryant and a performance we’ll likely see again.

Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 4: Great Wins and Bad Losses

Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 4

Welcome to the Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 4. The conference had a completely mixed bag of results but overall it was a win. The conference ended up with six teams in the AP top 25, but four are between 19 and 24. That means that as conference play starts, the losers will fall from the rankings. Stanford and USC losing on national tv to BYU and UCF was a blow. Both teams are national brands and influence the Pac-12’s perception even if neither is a top team in 2019. The conference has a chance to quiet all the outside noise about money and tv deals, and the Pac-12 network by winning the rest of their non-conference games. Oregon, Utah, and USC seem to be the only teams with a real shot at the playoff left.

  • Last week I said I would include Hawaii in the Pac-12 Power Rankings if they beat Washington. They did not, so I won’t. It’s a good thing too because that would have been embarrassing.

For Reference Check out the Pac-12 Power Rankings from Week 3

Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 4:

Teams are ranked by the correct criteria: quality wins, schedule played, and dominance. Only games played matter. No consideration is given for future games. The Pac-12 Power Rankings will available on Unafraid Show every Monday morning. Make sure you send your comments and grievances to immad@unafraidshow.com.

12. Oregon State Beavers (1-2)

Last Week: 45-7 (W) Cal Poly

The Beavers got a win. It was against an FCS team, but OSU will at least one game this season. They have only won one conference game in the last two seasons. The goal for Jonathan Smith’s team should be to stay competitive in every game and try to steal a game or two.

11. UCLA Bruins (0-3)

Last Week: 14-41 (L) Oklahoma

The loss against Oklahoma was expected. However, I did believe that UCLA would score more than their standard 14 points. The Sooners defense is nowhere near the top defense UCLA will face this season (Utah, Cal). Chip Kelly’s offense went back to more read-option and run-pass options against the Sooners. Typically, RPOs help young and athletic quarterbacks to read the defense with more defined throwing reads. Needless to say, it did not translate into more points. The Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is having a rough season and we may see him headed to the bench soon.

And then there is the Bruins defense… Just listen to the podcast to hear more detail on Chip Kelly and UCLA.

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10. Stanford Cardinal (1-2)

Last Week: 27-45 (L) at UCF

This was a bad bad loss by Stanford. The game was not nearly as competitive as the score suggests. I like UCF a lot and they are a top-tier college football team. But, Stanford was not even competitive in the game. Their pass defense was abused, and their team looks slow. This could be the first season that David Shaw truly struggles as Stanford head coach. When you look at the Cardinal from last year and this year, something is broken. Stanford has tumbled a long way down the Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 4.

9. Arizona Wildcats (2-1)

Last Week: 28-14 (W) Texas Tech

Who is this Arizona team? Clearly, they are a bi-polar football team. Their Swiss cheese defense looked like a good defense. They forced two turnovers and consistently got off the field on 3rd down. Khalil Tate was back to his 2017 form. He rushed for 129 yards and a TD but didn’t pass the ball so well. Can their defense put two good performances in a row?

8. Colorado Buffaloes (2-1)

Last Week: 30-23/OT (L) vs Air Force

Don’t play the service academies. They will ruin your day. Air Force ruined Colorado’s chances of starting the season 3-0. Mel Tucker has his squad playing decent ball but could not get off the field on defense and couldn’t dominate the line of scrimmage. The good news is that the Buffaloes are more competitive than they were at the end of last season. Colorado is on their to a bowl game.

7. USC Trojans (2-1)

Last Week: 30-23 (L) vs BYU

This was just a bad loss for USC. All the goodwill that Clay Helton bought with the destruction of Stanford was lost. The Trojans fans are starting to whisper about Urban Meyer as their next coach already. It is hard to believe a team with this much talent gets beat at the line of scrimmage and in the secondary so often. I still believe in Kedon Slovis despite the interceptions. It seemed that the offense was different than the Stanford game. It appears they tried to protect the freshman in his first road start instead of letting him throw the ball downfield.

6. Arizona State Sun Devils (3-0)

Last Week: 10-7 (W) vs Michigan State

Improbable victory in East Lansing against Michigan State. ASU only had 216 total yards compared to Michigan State’s 404. The Sun Devil’s offensive line is having a hard time cleating running lanes for Eno Benjamin and pass protecting. The positive is that ASU’s defense stout, but there is no doubt that Pac-12 teams (even Cal) will manage more than one touchdown per game. At the end of the day, a win is a win, especially when it’s a quality one.

5. Washington State Cougars (3-0)

Last Week: 35-28 (W) vs Houston

Finally a decent opponent for the Cougars. Their offense had been so outrageously effective in the first two games that I believe it was shocking for players to run into first-half adversity. Anthony Gordon rallied the team and they were extremely effective in the second half. He finished with 440 yards with three touchdown passes. They will need to sure up their defense a bit.

4. Washington Huskies (2-1)

Last Week: 52-20 (W) vs Hawaii

The Huskies saved the conference from being Hawaii’s whipping boy. From the opening kickoff, UW opened up a can of whoop-ass. It seems very clear that the Cal loss was a wakeup game for Washington. I expect Chris Pedersen’s team to be dangerous and focus for the rest of the season. The Pac-12 North is going to be a dog fight.

3. Cal Golden Bears (3-0)

Last Week: 23-17 (W) at North Texas

Cal jumped out to a quick 20-0 lead in the first quarter but could only manage a field goal after that. The reason this team is 3-0 and a real threat in the Pac-12 this season is they rarely turn the ball over now. Last season, they fumbled and threw interceptions which put the game out of reach for their meager offense.

Their lack of dominance has moved them back one spot in the Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 4.

2. Utah Utes (3-0)

Last Week: 31-0 (W) vs Idaho State

The Utes pitched a shutout, as they should have. It was an extremely efficient performance by the Utah offense. Zack Moss only carried the ball 10 times, and they spread the ball around. 15 different skill position players had carries or receptions. There seems to be growth in passing efficiency since week one, which should bode well for their next nine conference games. Utah is making a strong case to move up to the #1 spot of the Pac-12 Power Rankings.

1. Oregon Ducks (2-1)

Last Week: 35-3 (W) Montana

My only concern about the Ducks is their ability to run the football. Through three games we have only seen one or two runs over 20 yards. If all three games were against Auburn that would be understandable. But, for a team with the best offensive line in college football, that sounds strange to me. If the Ducks want to have a shot at the CFB Playoffs they will need to have explosive runs.

Oregon’s defense and passing game look great.

Check back every Monday for the Pac-12 Power Rankings.

College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 4 As it Should Be

in the College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 4

The Rules: No Bias, No Bull College Football Rankings

Week 3 in college football provided a lot more information about teams in the College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 4 As it Should Be. However, without any top 25 games, the top teams naturally cruised to easy victories. It was chalk, chalk, and more chalk. I do not project forward with the rankings of a team’s schedule, but as a fan, I can be damn excited.

There is no more unbiased ranking out there than Unafraid Show’s College Football Top 10 Rankings Week 4. I get criticized from time to time by people who only want to see the college football world through the lens of the AP Poll. These rankings are not going to look like the AP Poll. Open your eyes to see a different view of evaluating the top 10. Most polls including the College Football Playoff Committee give college blueblood teams a massive “benefit of the doubt.” I don’t believe in that. Teams are ranked by the correct criteria: quality wins, schedule played, and dominance. After the preseason rankings, only games played matter. No consideration is given for future games.

I re-rank the top 10 every Sunday from scratch. The previous week’s rankings do not factor into the next week. So, the rankings will change, sometimes drastically every week because we will have new information. So make sure to come back every Sunday.

For reference, you can check College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 3.

College Football Top 10 Rankings Week 4:

Next Up: Oregon, Utah, UCF, Florida

10. Michigan Wolverines (2-0)

Last Week: IDLE

There are few times that coaches catch more heat after a win than Jim Harbaugh did after beating ARMY. Michigan needed to have an open week more than any other team in the country. The Wolverines need all the time they can to practice and clean up all the unforced errors. This week they travel to Wisconsin. A win would hold the critics at bay for a while, but a loss would bring “overrated” chants.

9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-0)

Last Week: 66-14 (W) vs New Mexico

Just like every other team who plays non-competitive games, there is not a lot to be learned. Ian Books’ numbers were spectacular though. He had over 400 yards of total offense and 6 total touchdowns. Surprisingly, the Fighting Irish did not run the ball well against New Mexico. Maybe they were just working on things in the passing game for Georgia?

Check out our Pac-12 Football Podcast, Pac-12 Apostles:

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8. Texas Longhorns (2-1)

Last Week: 48-13 (W) vs Rice

Texas put the screws to Rice, as they were supposed to. A lot of times when college football teams lose heartbreaking games, they let that carry over to the next week. Tom Herman made sure his team put the LSU loss behind them and came out firing on all cylinders. Sam Ehlinger completed 23 of his 27 pass attempts. If he can keep that kind of efficiency, they will make a run at the top of the College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 4.

7. Georgia Bulldogs (3-0)

Last Week: 55-0 (W) vs Arkansas State

I must applaud UGA and their fans for the “pink out” in honor of Arkansas State’s head coaches late wife. That was a great gesture and put life over football.

I cannot wait till next week against Notre Dame to see what this team is made out of. Their first three weeks have been a breeze, but they have been extremely dominant. The Bulldogs wide receiving core will need to step up in a major way. It is always good to see talented football teams play quality football games. Us fans deserve them. My mind says that Georgia is treating the regular season as a formality. They want Bama. Hopefully, they don’t overlook anyone in the process.

6. Auburn (3-0)

Last Week: 55-16 (W) vs Kent State

The Bo Nix hype has turned into 3-0 despite the play not being to the level Auburn will need to compete for the SEC crown. Next week they get a real test as they head to Texas A&M. Gus Malzahn has bet on himself calling plays this year and it has worked out so far. I am less confident about this team than I was after the Oregon win, but they still have the 2nd best win of any top 10 team. They did show a high level of dominance this week.

5. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0)

Last Week: 51-10 (W) vs Indiana

They tried to hype up this matchup against Indiana, but it wasn’t even close. Ohio State had guys running wide open for Fields to throw to. And when they wanted to run it, JK Dobbins couldn’t be stopped. I’m not sure how we are supposed to find the four best teams when so many are elite. I’m interested to see how Justin Fields responds in a close game or when his team is down. We may not see that opportunity until the CFB Playoff.

4. Oklahoma Sooners (3-0)

Last Week: 48-14 (W) vs UCLA

Jalen Hurts and the Sooners cut through UCLA like a hot knife through butter. It was a light day of work for Hurts. He “only” accounted for 439 yards of total offense and 4 touchdowns. Lincoln Riley’s offense makes me want to ask for an internship at Oklahoma so I can learn it. Their defense does look better than last season. But it’s like an improvement from a 5-out-of-10 to a 6.5. There is still a lot of improvements that need to be made. But, their offense is so amazing that it may not matter.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0)

Last Week: 47-23 (W) at South Carolina

Finally a real opponent for Alabama. South Carolina put up a real fight for a half and was not scared of the Crimson Tide. Nick Saban is always pissed about something. So he can’t be happy about the times South Carolina just marched the ball down the field easily. Bama also is having difficulty running the football. I can’t remember the last time they were held to under 100 yards rushing in an SEC game. The passing game is working remarkably. Tua threw for 444 yards and 5 touchdowns. Dominance was there against a real opponent.

I am happy that we finally get so see Bama play a real opponent. I’m still afraid that their lack of consistent competition will cause them to get knocked off in the SEC championship.

2. LSU (3-0)

Last Week: 65-14 (W) vs Northwestern State

I am still in shock by what I am seeing by the LSU offense. In consecutive weeks Joe Burrow has thrown for 470 and 370 yards. They are a real live offense in 2019. For the first time in a long time, I believe LSU may be better than Alabama. Their November matchup will be an epic showdown. It should be a shootout because neither defense looks untouchable.

1. Clemson Tigers (3-0)

Last Week: 41-6 (W) at Syracuse

In three games against Georgia Tech, Texas A&M and Syracuse, Clemson has only given up a combined 30 points. I refuse to call teams unbeatable, but this team is on the verge of making me change my policy. They are destroying everybody and Trevor Lawrence is not even playing his best football. Syracuse picked him off twice and he was just not as sharp as last season. The Tigers wide receivers and running backs are capable of scoring every time they touch the football.

It is clear why the Tigers are #1.

Check back next Sunday morning for the College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 4.

Best Offensive Performances from Pac-12 Football Week 2

Jacob Breeland Oregon Ducks Nevada Touchdown

Pac-12 Footballs Offensive Highlights

Week 2 of Pac-12 football is in the books. While there were plenty of great, offensive performances from Pac-12 players, these players stood out the most.

Pac-12 Conference states

Best Quarterback Performance

Kedon Slovis – USC

Wow. What a game for the true freshman. In his debut, stepping in for the injured (INSERT INJURED USC QUARTERBACK), he threw for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns. Counting stats alone, Kedon Slovis put up some solid numbers. But, more importantly, he led USC to a win against the No.23 ranked Stanford. Zero turnovers and coming back from a 3-17 Stanford lead. His performance and USC’s win vaulted them into an AP ranking. USC, similar to Sam Darnold, has another bright, young star. Look out Pac-12 football. Kedon Slovis is here.

Best Wide Receiver Performance

K.D. Nixon – Colorado

While K.D. Nixon compiled 6 receptions for 148 yards in Colorado’s upset win, he earned this spot with a single play.

Starting at their own 4-yard line, Steven Montez and K.D. Nixon teamed up for an incredible highlight. Their 96-yard, flea-flicker touchdown could be Colorado’s highlight of the year. Not only was this an impressive and fun play for any game, it was against the No.25 ranked Nebraska football program. Nixon’s touchdown reception continued Colorado’s comeback win. Down 0-17, they kept fighting and earned a big upset against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. It was big for Colorado and bigger for Pac-12 football.

“We didn’t win today, we won back in summer workouts.”

K.D. Nixon after the game
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Best Running Back Performance

Marcel Dancy – Cal

In a Pac-12 football game with very little offensive production from quarterbacks (or offenses at all), Marcel Dancy was explosive. Down 3-10 to UW, on Cal’s first drive of the second half, Dancy was the difference maker. He rushed for 23 yards on 3rd and 1 to extend the drive and push the Golden Bears into Washington territory. Then, he sealed the drive with a 20-yard touchdown rush, breaking tackles and spinning into the end zone.

On Cal’s following drive, he had rushes of 7, 11, 2 and 8 yards. His 11 yard rush resulted in a first down, again extending Cal’s offensive drives. Then, yet again, he finished Cal’s drive with a touchdown run, this time from 8 yards out. 

So, on just 7 carries, Marcel Dancy rushed for 72 yards and accounted for Cal’s only 2 touchdowns of the game. Of note, 6 of his 7 carries came on Cal’s only 2 touchdown drives. In a tight game where UW couldn’t score touchdowns to save themselves, Dancy was an offensive force. Keep his name in mind in future Pac-12 football weeks. His name will surely pop up again.

Best Tight End Performance

Jacob Breeland – Oregon

Against Nevada, Oregon was red hot, to say the least. Justin Herbert displayed his offensive talent and Oregon had a fantastic bounce-back game. Oregon and the Pac-12 football needed that. During that win, it was Jacob Breeland that stood out the most. Standing at 6-5, 250-pounds, Breeland was Oregon’s best downfield threat. In their first two touchdown drives against Nevada, they utilized him. His 66-yard touchdown and 31-yard reception showed his big-play ability.

https://twitter.com/ftbeard_17/status/1170492609690648576

At games end, Breeland led the Ducks in receiving yards and tied for first in receptions. For Oregon, this is good news. Analytics found that NFL teams have greater efficiency when passing from heavier formations in 2018. Breeland can give Oregon incredible advantages in Pac-12 football with his size and receiving abilities. For a Ducks offense always looking for explosive playmakers, Breeland’s time is now. 

Pac-12 Football Seasons: 2019 Colorado Buffaloes Week 3

Nebraska Colorado Football 2019

An instant classic in the saga of Nebraska vs. Colorado. That is what happened at Folsom Field when the Cornhuskers invaded Boulder on Saturday. But this classic game, a resounding win for the Colorado Buffaloes and first-year head coach Mel Tucker, did not root its atmosphere in 2019 alone. 

A college football rivalry dating back to 1898, the Colorado-Nebraska rivalry is one college football fans had to deal without for the early part of this decade. Renewed in 2018, the matchup still proves to be one of college football’s best. 

Last year, legendary Colorado Buffaloes football coach Bill McCartney stated his belief that the whole state of Colorado could get behind the effort of beating their old Big 12 rivals. The Buffaloes made the state do just that.

Down 28-27 with just over one minute left, quarterback Steven Montez hit Laviska Shenault in the right corner of the end zone. It was the decisive touchdown in a 33-28 win. Then-head coach Mike MacIntyre hugged his son Jaye as Boulder filled with Euphoria. Colorado was back, or so many thought.

But the remainder of 2018 would not prove so kind. After a 5-0 start to the season, the Buffaloes failed to win another game. The result led to MacIntyre being let go and another new era in Colorado football history.

Come back every Tuesday for a new installment of Pac-12 Football Seasons: 2019 Colorado Buffaloes

Setting the Table for 2019 Colorado Buffaloes Week 3

2019, meanwhile, brings with it positive change and expectations that Colorado is ready to make a national statement. 

After dispatching Colorado State in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, the Buffaloes turned attention to a sea of red. Nebraska, with revenge on their mind, would visit Boulder in college football week two. The Huskers had unfinished business, but the Buffaloes had something to prove.

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Drowning Out the Red

Drowning out the red. That was the goal for the Buffaloes as the Huskers invaded Boulder. It looked like a giant pool of red blood that had fissured the usual black and gold colors seen in Folsom Field’s stands. The Buffs’ first drive took up about half of the first quarter, but the offense came out choppy for the second consecutive week, as the team gained 33 yards on 12 plays and was forced to punt. Not exactly the remedy the Buffs were looking for to silence the red.

Nebraska, meanwhile, showed precision and came out swinging. They had touchdown drives of 96 and 95 yards in the first half, igniting their fans. Home chants were infected by chants of “Go Big Red”. 

The Buffs looked flustered as they entered the halftime locker room down 17-0. This was much their own doing. In fact, Colorado did about everything wrong on offense in the first half. It seemed like the team had no identity. The choppiness they showed in the CSU game was forwarded into the first half against Nebraska.

The Comeback

Fortunately, the Buffaloes turned it around.

It began with an eight-play, 64-yard drive that gave the Buffs their first score with 1:26 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Question being, would they have enough time to heal the wound of a 17-point deficit to Big Red?

Eventually, yes.

Getting the ball back early in the fourth quarter, Colorado and offensive coordinator Jay Johnson needed to silence the Nebraska crowd and strike fast. They did so by getting creative. 

Positioned nearly an entire field length away from their end zone, Colorado drew up its most daring play in years: the flea-flicker. Quarterback Steven Montez took the pitch back from running back Alex Fontenot and stood in the end zone with Nebraska rushers pursuing him. He completed the pass to K.D. Nixon, who ran into the end zone to cut the Nebraska lead to 17-14. Words cannot do this play justice. 

With the stadium rocking and silencing the Nebraska faithful, the Huskers struck back with a quick TD to regain a 10-point lead.

The Buffs would not lie down, as those watching the game got a sudden sense this would be one for the history books. Classic Nebraska vs. Colorado. 

Sensing their shot and riding a wave of second-half momentum, Colorado pulled within three on a lightning-fast 5 play, 75 yards touchdown drive. Folsom Field thundered, and with the help of a timely fumble by Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez, the stadium got louder, especially once the Buffaloes kicked a field goal to tie the game with 8:30 remaining. 

An Ending to Remember

But Nebraska proved unrelenting in their effort to make sure the red took over Boulder. Shaking off his mistake, Martinez marched the Huskers down the field and muscled in for a touchdown on 4th-and-1 to give them a 31-24 lead. 

With time beginning to wind down, Colorado knew it needed to regain momentum. Unfortunately, they would not get the chance they were hoping for, as Shenault fumbled the kickoff return around midfield, giving the Huskers a prime opportunity to eat the clock.

But it was not Nebraska’s day. The glory was to be had by Colorado. 

With Folsom Field thundering, the Buffaloes stuffed Nebraska and got the ball back with 3:33 remaining. 

On a defining drive, Montez converted a 4th-and-1 at midfield to keep the Buffs afloat. Then, with 46 seconds left to play, he connected with Tony Brown on a 26-yard touchdown pass to tie the game. The game headed to overtime, where the Buffaloes would finally overtake the red.

Overtime

Kicking a field goal on their first offensive possession of overtime, Colorado turned to its defense. Fortunately for the Buffaloes, new head coach Mel Tucker knows a thing or two about game-changing defenses. 

Needing a field goal to tie and a touchdown to win, Nebraska was stuffed by Colorado. The end result of their first and only offensive possession in overtime? A four-play, negative six-yard drive that ended with a missed field goal. Wide right. 

As the field goal missed, it was the Black and Gold that poured onto the field. This was what Colorado needed to put themselves on the college football map.

These type of wins catapult programs into the national spotlight, and it was the exact type of win that coach Mel Tucker needed. His team has taken on his personality of a never-give-in attitude. They did not surrender to a dangerous Nebraska team, which along with their fans, attempted to invade Folsom Field.

Next Up: Air Force

CU will welcome another team in close proximity to them next week in the Air Force Falcons. The team will be coming off of the high of beating the Huskers, but should not overlook the challenge that the Falcons will present. 

Air Force is known for running the option, and it will be important for the Buffs to respect their opponent, who is from what most would say an inferior conference. However, the Pac-12 and Mountain West have always had a “big brother little brother” rivalry, and it is important that the Buffaloes once again show which football team rules the land in Colorado, as they did when they beat Colorado State two weeks ago. 

But while the team focuses on the upcoming game, there is no doubting the importance of beating Nebraska. Triumphant two years straight in one of college football’s best rivalries, Colorado has made its statement. The red was drowned out and the Black and Gold has risen. It’s time for the next chapter in Colorado football.

Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 3: Upsets and Surprises

Pac-12 QB Rankings, June 15, Dress Rehearsal, Important Season for Pac-12 Coaches

Welcome to the Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 3. There are major shifts in the conference power rankings after a couple of conference games in week 2. Cal shocked the world (except me) and beat Washington for the second year in a row. Washington State fans want respect after blowing out two doormat teams. There is a fight for the worst team in the conference by Oregon State and UCLA. The conference has a chance to quiet all the outside noise about money and tv deals, and the Pac-12 network by winning the rest of their non-conference games. Oregon, Utah, and USC seem to be the only teams with a real shot at the playoff left.

  • Hawaii has defeated two Pac-12 teams. If they beat Washington this week I will include them in the Pac-12 rankings for the remainder of the season.

For Reference Check out the Pac-12 Power Rankings from Week 2

Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 3:

Teams are ranked by the correct criteria: quality wins, schedule played, and dominance. Only games played matter. No consideration is given for future games. The Pac-12 Power Rankings will available on Unafraid Show every Monday morning. Make sure you send your comments and grievances to immad@unafraidshow.com.

12. Oregon State Beavers (0-2)

Last Week: 28-31 (L) Hawaii

This loss to Hawaii was awful. The Rainbow Warriors already knocked off Arizona so OSU should have been ready. They were able to run the football all day but kept trying to pass the football. Jermar Jefferson ran for 183 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries. I am looking for wins on the Beavers schedule. The only one I can find is next week against Cal Poly.

11. UCLA Bruins (0-2)

Last Week: 14-23 (L) San Diego State

UCLA is fighting extremely hard to displace Oregon State as the worst team in the conference. It is inexplicable why the Bruins are so bad. Dorian Thompson-Robinson was statistically better and only had one turnover vs SDSU. But he was still not good enough for his team to stay in the game. I am not sure why Chip Kelly does not speed up the offense like he did at Oregon with Darren Thomas to keep defenses off balance. I am scared of what the score will be this week against Oklahoma.

10. Arizona Wildcats (1-1)

Last Week: 65-41 Northern Arizona

Wildcats’ fans will tell you that the second string gave up all these points to Northern Arizona. However, the second string is still part of the team. These teams are playing football so players will inevitably get hurt and those second-team players will have to play meaningful snaps. Ralph Amsden is still an Arizona and Khalil Tate truther. He believes they will somehow become a competitive team in the Pac-12, but we all know they won’t.

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9. Arizona State Sun Devils (2-0)

Last Week: 19-7 (W) vs Sacramento State

No team scared me more in a win than ASU. If Sacramento State had an accurate quarterback they may have given Sun Devils fans a heart attack. Their offensive line had a tough time protecting Jaylen Daniels and creating running lanes for Eno Benjamin. The good news is that Herm Edwards has his team 2-0. They will be bound for a bowl game if by some miracle they can slip by Michigan State.

8. Washington State Cougars (2-0)

Last Week: 59-17 (W) vs Northern Colorado

I know Wazzu fans are frustrated with these rankings. Fans in my mentions on Twitter and emails keep saying it’s ridiculous they aren’t higher because WSU has the “most efficient offense in the nation”. They also have one of the worst schedules in the nation. They have played one of the worst FBS teams and an FCS team. Wazzu has a QB that nobody has seen play real competition. So, they may skyrocket up once they play someone. Remember how everyone thought Jacob Eason was Payton Manning until they played Cal?

7. Stanford Cardinal (1-1)

Last Week: 20-45 (L) at USC

I held out hope that quarterbacked KJ Costello would be able to play against USC (I like to see good football games). He missed the game and it was clear that the Cardinal missed him. They came out and looked good initially but were ultimately overwhelmed by USC’s receiving core. Next week against UCF will give us a lot of insight on how good this team is.

6. Colorado Buffaloes (2-0)

Last Week: 34-31 (W) vs Nebraska

The Buffaloes sleepwalked through the first 2.5 quarters. It took a ridiculous 24 point fourth quarter to come back and send the game to overtime. The thing we do know about Colorado is they are more mentally tough than last season. Wins over Colorado State and Nebraska are a solid start to the season. Their dominance has not been there but quality wins get high marks.

5. Washington Huskies (1-1)

Last Week: 19-20 (L) vs CAL.

On the Pac-12 Apostles Podcast, I was asked if I thought the 2-hour lightning delay that forced a lot of Huskies fans to their cars and ultimately home had an effect of the outcome. My answer was that Huskies fans are fantastic and loud, but I don’t believe it impacted the game. Cal’s defense is just suffocating. Jacob Eason appears to be better than Jake Browning but not has great as advertised. UW should have a great season, and don’t be surprised if their running back Ahmed has a couple 200+ yard games.

And then there is this twitter interaction with Cal’s defensive back coach Gerald Alexander and former Huskies WR Dante Pettis.

4. USC Trojans (2-0)

Last Week: 45-20 (W) vs Stanford

You never want to see a player injured but USC has the right man at QB now. Kedon Slovis isn’t the typical 4-5* kid that we normally see at USC. He was an under the radar recruit who most thought would just fill the roster out in case of an emergency. Slovis clearly has other plans. Slovis finished 28/33 for 377 yards and three touchdowns.

USC looked absolutely dominant against Stanford after the first quarter. Can they keep up that high level of play through the rest of the season?

3. Utah Utes (2-0)

Last Week: 35-17 (W) vs Northern Illinois

Utah is just solid. They are a good team who is well-coached with NFL talent on defense and at RB. The Northern Illinois game did expose another possible weakness of the 2019 Utes. There were multiple times where the speed of NIU gave Utah trouble. That means playing USC and a potential matchup with Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game could be problematic.

If I have said it once, I’ve said it 1,000 times, Tyler Huntley will need to be GREAT 2-3 times this year if the Utes are to win the conference and make a Rose Bowl of CFB Playoff appearance.

2. Cal Golden Bears (2-0)

Last Week: 20-19 (W) at Washington

When I watch Cal play the only thing I think is “what if”. What if the Golden Bears had a really good QB? If they did they would be a top 5 team. This team is so well-coached and tough. They are fun to watch. The problem is that if they need more than 20 points against a top opponent they can’t get there without scoring on defense.

Cal scored major points in the rankings this week for beating a team most thought had a shot at going undefeated.

1. Oregon Ducks (1-1)

Last Week: 77-6 (W) Nevada

The Ducks made a statement against Nevada who beat Purdue in week one. Their offense still needs to prove it in conference play. And they need to play well on the road because Oregon has struggled away from home the last couple of seasons. After two games, it looks as if the Ducks have their most stout defense of the last 15 years. As of now, the boys from Eugene look to be the favorites to win the Pac-12. They deserve to be #1 on the Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 3.

Check back every Monday for the Pac-12 Power Rankings.