2022 Week 5 Pac-12 Football Power Rankings

The Ducks needed a miracle to win in Pullman and the Trojans narrowly escaped in Corvallis

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Posted on September 27, 2022


  By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports

The Pac-12’s two marquee matchups didn’t disappoint.

The final scores of Week Four in the League were generally as expected. USC beat Oregon State and Oregon toppled Washington State.

Yet, the Ducks needed a miracle to get the job done and the Trojans escaped in a game they probably shouldn’t have won.

The results indicate the strength of Wazzu and OSU, displaying the Conference’s parity at the top.

In the less-anticipated matchups, Utah, Washington, and UCLA continued their winning ways, while California ran over Arizona.

The results sent our Senior Writers and Broadcasters back to the drawing board to re-rank the 12 teams. The list below is a composite of each voter’s picks, while the table at the bottom shows each individual’s rankings.

1. USC (4-0, 2-0) ◄►

Any road victory in conference play is a welcomed result, regardless of how it looks.

usc logo Alex Grinch’s defense forced four interceptions in Corvallis and Caleb Williams led USC on the game-winning touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter.

The win keeps the Trojans’ Playoff hopes alive, while the +14 turnover margin continues to lead the nation.

2. Utah (3-1, 1-0) ◄►

Morgan Scalley’s defense held Arizona State to its fewest single-game rushing yards in program history.

The six yards allowed on the ground, five sacks, and two interceptions sent a statement to the rest of the Pac-12.

Facing running systems over the next two weeks in Oregon State and UCLA, the Utes should continue to make their case for a Playoff berth, even with the loss of tight end Brant Kuithe for the rest of the season.

3. Oregon (3-1, 1-0) ◄►

Credit Dan Lanning and the Oregon roster for not giving up in Pullman.

Oregon Ducks Logo Pac-12 Some teams with a weaker culture would have folded down 12 in the middle of the fourth quarter, but the Ducks scored three touchdowns in the final five minutes to secure the win.

Returning home to face Stanford this week, UO remains in the thick of the Playoff race.

4. Washington (4-0, 1-0) ◄►

The primary focus this season has been on Kalen DeBoer’s offense, but it was Washington’s defense that erupted on Saturday.

Washington football pac-12 The Dawgs posted eight sacks on the depleted Stanford frontline and forced three turnovers in the 40-22 blowout.

Concerns remain in the secondary after Michael Wilson torched the Huskies for 176 yards receiving, yet there’s no denying the strength Washington employs on both sides of the ball.

5. Oregon State (3-1, 0-1) ◄►

Jonathan Smith and the Beavers held USC in check until the final drive of the game.

The Trojan offense was ineffective against Trent Bay’s scheme, arguably solidifying Oregon State’s reputation this season.

The defeat should be taken as a springboard moving forward and give the program high expectations for the remainder of the year.

6. Washington State (3-1, 0-1) ◄►

The Cougars choked. Dominating Oregon for three quarters, it appeared all but guaranteed that Washington State would secure the upset.

The Instant-Classic defeat doesn’t destroy the trajectory of WSU’s season, and may have even garnered it respect around the nation.

But the perception can change quickly if Wazzu doesn’t bounce back this weekend.

7. UCLA (4-0, 1-0) ◄►

The Bruins dismantled Colorado with ease to secure UCLA’s first win in Boulder since 2014.

The blowout win at Folsom Field indicates the state of the program in Chip Kelly’s fifth year.

On a seven-game winning streak, the ceiling of the Bruin’s season could be revealed against Washington this Friday.

8. California (3-1, 1-0) ▲1

Jaydn Ott went off on the Arizona defense.

The true freshman’s 274 yards rushing was the third-most in program history and the 49 points scored was Cal’s highest in four seasons.

The victory turned the page on the controversial loss to Notre Dame, setting Justin Wilcox’s team on a path to bowl eligibility.

9. Arizona (2-2, 0-1) ▼1

Johnny Nansen’s defense was embarrassed against California.

Unable to stop any facet of the Bears’ offense, the lack of depth and talent was on full display.

Those problems figure to take another offseason to address via the transfer portal, as the Wildcats may be nearing the ceiling for this year’s team.

10. Stanford (1-2, 0-2) ◄►

David Shaw has a problem.

The issues along the offensive line aren’t going away anytime soon, and the Cardinal won’t win many games until it’s solved.

Branson Bragg retired earlier this year, Myles Hinton didn’t play against Washington, and Walter Rouse got injured in Seattle.

The unavailability along the frontline has led to 11 Stanford turnovers this season, the fourth-most in the FBS.

11. Arizona State (1-3, 0-1) ◄►

Arizona State is in crisis.

The NCAA investigation into recruiting violations remains ongoing, the program is rudderless without a head coach, and its roster was decimated by the transfer portal this offseason.

The six yards rushing against Utah were the fewest in program history, and USC is primed to embarrass ASU on ESPN this Saturday.

12. Colorado (0-4, 0-1) ◄►

Another week goes by with Karl Dorrell at the helm.

The writing is painfully on the wall for the third-year coach’s termination, but CU either doesn’t have the money or willingness to make the decision.

True freshman Owen McCown played well enough against UCLA’s weak defense, but the performance was arguably Fool’s Gold that won’t translate against average defenses.

How our Senior Football Writers and Broadcasters Voted

	Dane Miller	Jack Follman	Stephen Vilardo	Nick Bartlett	Steve Ritchie	Spencer McLaughlin	Matt Wadleigh
1	USC	Utah	USC	USC	Utah	Utah	USC
2	Utah	USC	Utah	Utah	USC	USC	UW
3	Oregon	Oregon	Oregon	Oregon	Oregon	Oregon	Oregon
4	UW	UW	UW	UW	OSU	UW	Utah
5	WSU	WSU	UCLA	UCLA	WSU	OSU	OSU
6	OSU	OSU	OSU	OSU	UW	WSU	UCLA
7	UCLA	Cal	WSU	WSU	Cal	UCLA	WSU
8	Cal	UCLA	Cal	Cal	UCLA	Cal	Arizona
9	Arizona	Stanford	Arizona	Arizona	Arizona	Arizona	Cal
10	Stanford	Arizona	ASU	Stanford	Stanford	Stanford	Stanford
11	ASU	ASU	Stanford	ASU	ASU	ASU	ASU
12	Colorado	Colorado	Colorado	Colorado	Colorado	Colorado	Colorado