Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 3: USC tumbles after surprising loss

The Pac-12 went 6-1 in nonconference games in week three, with Arizona State taking the only league game of the week at Colorado.

The only other Pac-12 team to lose was USC, who traveled all the way across the country only to fall in a head-scratcher against Boston College. The Eagles ran for more than 450 yards against the Trojans and exposed some serious flaws in their defense.

Here are how things stack up throughout the conference:

1. Oregon (3-0, 0-0)

Heads were starting to turn across the country when people got word that Oregon only led Wyoming by six halfway through the second quarter. But then Oregon did what Oregon does, scoring twice before the end of the half and another two times in the third to run away from the visiting Cowboys.

2. UCLA (3-0, 0-0)

Good teams find ways to win, and UCLA keeps doing just that. Backup quarterback Jerry Neuheisel got the job done in place of the injured Brett Hundley as the Bruins got out of Arlington with a 20-17 win against Texas.

3. Arizona State (3-0, 1-0)

The cupcakes are done now and we will finally get to see just how good Arizona State is a week from Thursday against UCLA. The Sun Devils will have to do it without starting quarterback Taylor Kelly, who is out with a foot injury.

4. Arizona (3-0, 0-0)

The Wildcats got a scare from Nevada before finally pulling away for their third win of the season. The Wolfpack led Arizona late in the first quarter and were also tied deep into the third until Anu Solomon found Cayleb Jones for a 22 yard touchdown pass. It will open conference play this weekend against California in Tucson.

5. USC (2-1, 1-0)

This seems like the right place to drop USC after its loss at Boston College. The Trojans still own victories against a couple of solid teams like Fresno State and Stanford, a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff seems out of reach now.

6. Stanford (2-1, 0-1)

The Cardinal hold steady in the middle of the league after shutting out Army in week three. They now get a much-needed bye as they prepare for a trip to Seattle to face undefeated Washington.

7. Oregon State (2-0, 0-0)

No change for the Beavers either as they did not play last week.

8. Utah (2-0, 0-0)

The Utes hold steady as they used their first bye of the season to prepare for a trip to the Big House to face Michigan. The Wolverines come in with a record of 2-1 but looked awful in their only test so far. This matchup is the most important for the Pac-12 this week.

9. California (2-0, 0-0)

I'm excited to see how this California team performs on the road against Arizona this week. The Golden Bears proved that they can handle a tough environment in their first game against Northwestern, but between playing Sacramento State and having a bye, it's been awhile since this team has played a competitive game. Just like with Utah going to Michigan, we will get to find out this week if Cal is a contender or pretender.

10. Washington (3-0, 0-0)

The Huskies cruised to a 44-19 win against Illinois last week (although they did lose the second half), but their lackluster performances against Hawaii and Eastern Washington to start the season keep them down here.

11. Washington State (1-2, 0-0)

I've got Washington State escaping the bottom of the league thanks to its first win of the season. Sure, it was Portland State, but Mike Leach's team needed that one desperately.

12. Colorado (1-2, 0-1)

A slow start doomed Colorado in its first Pac-12 game of the season. It gave up the first 17 points of the game, and even though its offense was spectacular from the second quarter until the end of the game, that is just too many points to spot a team like Arizona State.