Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 8: ASU continues to move up

Pac-12 play continued this week with five league games. Arizona and Washington State were the only teams with a week off, one that they both needed after losses the week prior.

Arizona State was the team of the week, using a tremendous defensive effort to beat Stanford on Saturday night.

Here are how things stack up throughout the rest of the conference:

1. Oregon (6-1, 3-1)

The Ducks are still the class of the Pac-12, and they solidified their spot atop the conference with a dominating win over rival Washington. True freshman Royce Freeman averaged 5.8 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns in the victory.

2. Arizona State (5-1, 3-1)

I've got Arizona State jumping Utah despite the fact that the Utes won at Oregon State on Thursday. Comparing both seasons to this point, the Sun Devils have a slightly more impressive résumé. They have played three ranked teams (and have won two), while the Utes have only faced one. We'll find out soon enough who is better as Utah visits Tempe on Nov. 1.

3. Utah (5-1, 2-1)

The Utes went into a hostile Reser Stadium early in week eight and somehow came out four hours later with one of their biggest wins to date. They led by three with 4:06 remaining in the fourth quarter, but a 49-yard field goal by Oregon State's Trevor Romaine as time expired sent the game into overtime. Both teams scored seven in the first trading of possessions, and Utah ended up winning on 19-yard touchdown scamper by Devontae Booker after Romaine missed a field goal in the top of the second overtime.

4. USC (5-2, 4-1)

No move for USC after it dominated Colorado and each team ahead of it won this week. Quarterback Cody Kessler threw for 319 yards and seven touchdowns in the 56-28 win. So, you know, just another average week out in the Pac-12.

5. Arizona (5-1, 2-1)

The Wildcats also hold steady after a much-needed bye week.

6. UCLA (5-2, 2-2)

Speaking of things that were much-needed, UCLA got a season-saving win at Cal on Saturday afternoon. Losers of two straight coming in, the Bruins trailed late to the Golden Bears before a Ka'imi Fairbairn field goal put them ahead with 3:40 left. A controversial interception on a final drive overshadowed by a pair of neck injuries for Cal players sealed the victory.

7. Stanford (4-3, 2-2)

I wanted to drop Stanford further than this, but we are quickly approaching the real "meh" part of the conference. So the Cardinal are here, for now. Reaching a bowl game no longer seems to be a certainty with three ranked teams remaining on the schedule, and another one at rival California.

8. Washington (5-2, 1-2)

The Huskies were exposed badly in their rivalry game at Oregon on Saturday night. This looks like another classic Washington season where they win against mediocre and bad opponents and lose to the marquee ones. Thankfully for the Huskies, Colorado, Oregon State, and Washington State still remain on the schedule.

9. Oregon State (4-2, 1-2)

With no one behind it winning, Oregon State stays at No. 9 after its heartbreaking loss against Utah.

10. California (4-3, 2-3)

At least Cal competed better with UCLA than it did the week prior against Washington. Sophomore signal caller Jared Goff continues to impress me. He threw for two touchdowns and over 300 yards against the Bruin defesne.

11. Washington State (2-5, 1-3)

The Cougars had their first bye of the season last week, giving the team time to regroup after a 17-point loss at Stanford. A win against Arizona in Pullman on Saturday would be huge for the team's slim bowl hopes.

12. Colorado (2-5, 0-4)

The Buffaloes remain winless in league play after getting destroyed at USC. The Trojans jumped on them from the opening gun and there was never really a shot for an upset after that. Colorado now returns home to face UCLA.