Pac-12 Power Rankings: Week 4

The Oregon Ducks take over the top spot unanimously with our staff. Oregon State continues to move up the charts, reaching fourth place. Three of the top five teams in the conference are from the North division. So much for the experts saying it was going to be the Ducks and no one else.

Perhaps the in-state rivalry will be tougher than expected. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

A little separation starts after the top five, with below average teams muddled together – and then the usual suspects as the bottom three.

1. Oregon (1-0, 4-0) – 44 points (4 first-place votes)

Mike: No offense to Stanford but Oregon played this week and shut out formerly 22nd-ranked Arizona by 49 points.

Brian: I think this team finally grew into a national title contender in the second half.

2. Stanford (1-0, 3-0) – 39 points

Mike (2nd): On Thursday night the Cardinal return to action heading to Seattle. The bye-week was the only reason I dropped them for the Ducks.

3. USC (1-1, 3-1) – 36 points

Mike (4th): Could Arizona State be here? Sure but USC beat a better team in my opinion in Cal than ASU did in Utah.

4. Oregon State (1-0, 2-0) – 31 points

Brian (4th): Hard to tell if the Beavers are really this good or not – the validity of how good Wisconsin and UCLA are remains to be seen.

5. Arizona State (1-0, 3-1) – 28 points

Brian (5th): Right now, the Sun Devils hold the top spot in the South division. How many of us predicted something like that happening?

6. Washington (2-1) – 22 points

Mike (6th): Washington opens Pac-12 play Thursday night against Stanford in what’s being dubbed a “Blackout Game” at Century Link Field so I’ll leave the Dawgs here until next week.

7. UCLA (0-1, 3-1) – 21 points

Brian (7th): That’s a rough loss after the momentum to start the season. Maybe Oregon State is good? Maybe the Bruins defense is more of a problem than we thought?

8. Arizona (0-1, 3-1) – 19 points

Brian (6th): One loss shouldn’t define this season for the Wildcats. There’s no way Arizona will put up another 0-6 in the red zone against this season, this team still has a lot to play for.

9. Utah (0-1, 2-2) – 11 points

Mike (9th): Utah got taken to the cleaners in Tempe against ASU, they’ll have an off week to get things right before USC comes to Salt Lake City for an anticipated Oct. 4th Thursday night game.

10. California (0-1, 1-3) – 5 points

Mike (10th): They held tough for a second straight week on the road. Sure it looks like a moral victory cop out, but the Bears should continue to improve.

11. Colorado (1-0, 1-3) – 4 points

Brian (11th): I’ve said some pretty mean things about the Buffs in the last few weeks just like the majority has, but I absolutely loved the celebration Jon Embree had on the sideline with his team when they defeated Washington State.

12. Washington State (0-1, 2-2) – 4 points

Mike: (12th): YOU LOST TO COLORADO! What else do I need to write? Mike Leach’s team had a big lead in the fourth to a winless foe and couldn’t close the deal which means you’re last this week.

The Autzen Zoo power rankings are a collection of votes from our staff. Commentary is provided by lead editor Brian Spaen along with staff writer Mike Vamosi.