Pac-12 Power Rankings, Week 4: Oregon Locks Down Top Spot

1. Oregon Ducks (Last Week: 1)

Oregon held a ranked Arizona team scoreless last night, winning 49-0 in a game that was closer than the final score indicated. Offensively, the Ducks remain a juggernaut, and the game management displayed by Chip Kelly was world class. At this point, Oregon is firmly entrenched as the top Duck in the Pac-12.

2. Stanford Cardinal (Last Week: 2)

Stanford took a nice break this weekend, but they are back in business on Thursday in an ESPN-televised battle against North foe Washington. They hold the second spot for the second week in a row.

3. USC Trojans (Last Week: 4)

USC redeemed themselves with a solid home victory against the Cal Bears. The impressive part? California was unable to score a touchdown, managing only field goals against the Trojans defense. USC gets a bye this week before playing Utah in Salt Lake City on October 4.

4. Oregon St. Beavers (Last Week: 7)

The Beavers improved to 2-0 after dispatching UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Once an invincible force, the Bruins looked human and Oregon State was able to prevent Jonathan Franklin from tearing them up in the running game. Sean Mannion has developed nicely for Mike Riley and the boys from Corvallis are flying high.

5. Arizona St. Sun Devils (Last Week: 6)

ASU could have gone either way after a rough loss to Missouri. Would they come out flat against a motivated Utah team, or tear apart the Utes as the Devils fought to regain relevance? The answer was fast and furious as Arizona State dispatched Utah 37-7 in a lopsided affair. ASU looks decidedly dominant at home, but they head to Berkeley next weekend. How they play on the road will tell us whether they are a Pac-12 South contender or a middle-of-the-conference team.

6. UCLA Bruins (Last Week: 3)

There were some chinks in the armor revealed in a home loss to Oregon State, and the revival in Pasadena has hit a speed bump. A road trip to Colorado next week should cure all the ills, but the Buffaloes are feeling good after their road win in Pullman against Wazzu. We're about to find out just how good the coaching of Jim Mora Jr. is.

7. Arizona Wildcats (Last Week: 5)

Getting your ass kicked in Eugene against Oregon? That's expected. However, the Wildcats performed admirably on defense before the Ducks finally pulled away. Arizona isn't dead by any means, but they have consecutive tough games coming up against Oregon State and Stanford. If the Wildcats can win one of those, they will be in decent shape for a bowl berth.

8. Washington Huskies (Last Week: 9)

Bye week hopefully gave the Huskies some perspective. They'll need it against Stanford on Thursday night.

9. California Golden Bears (Last Week: 8)

California finally gets to go home after two weeks of tough road games against ranked opponents. They will be visited by Arizona State, a team that is enthusiastic to prove itself in a road environment. This is certainly going to be a game of interest for Pac-12 fans. Can Zach Maynard get back on track?

10. Colorado Buffaloes (Last Week: 12)

Pac-12 play begins and Colorado is atop the South division after winning a tough road game against Wazzu. Their out of conference losses were an embarrassment, but conference play is truly all that matters, and they've figured that out. Weird.

11. Utah Utes (Last Week: 8)

Utah came to Tempe and was completely outclassed by Todd Graham and the Sun Devils. Now with a 2-2 record and no clear direction, the Utes are in serious trouble as they head into their bye week. Their next test? Against the USC Trojans on October 4.

12. Washington St. Cougars (Last Week: 11)

Losing to Colorado, who couldn't beat an egg in the first three weeks of the season, earns Mike Leach and Wazzu the cellar in this week's Pac-12 Power Rankings.