Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 5: ASU falls after blowout loss

Pac-12 play began in earnest this weekend with five league games being played throughout the weekend. Oregon and Arizona were the only teams with a bye as they prepare for their Thursday night matchup in Eugene.

UCLA was the team of the week, traveling to Sun Devil Stadium and running away from Arizona State with numerous big plays in the second half.

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

1. Oregon (4-0, 1-0)

The Ducks got a much needed bye last week in order to recover from their close call at Washington State and prepare for this Thursday's game against Arizona. The focus during their week off should definitely be on the offensive line, which allowed seven sacks of quarterback Marcus Mariota against the Cougars.

2. UCLA (4-0, 1-0)

The Bruins proved they were for real with their 62-27 win at Arizona State on Thursday night. They did it with numerous big plays, including two touchdown passes of 80 yards, a 95-yard pick-six, and a 100 yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

3. USC (3-1, 2-0)

The Trojans bounced back from their head-scratching loss at Boston College with an impressive win against previously undefeated Oregon State. USC got an interception returned for a touchdown and 48 yard Hail Mary in the first half to give it a 21-10 lead heading into the locker rooms. Beaver quarterback Sean Mannion looked off for the final 30 minutes and the home team cruised to an easy win.

4. Stanford (3-1, 1-1)

The Cardinal got their first quality win of the season, using a brilliant defensive effort in the second half to top Washington, 20-13. Their College Football Playoff hopes will once again be on the line this week as they play at Notre Dame.

5. Arizona (4-0, 1-0)

Despite not playing in week five, Arizona was one of this week's biggest movers. Arizona State, Utah, and Oregon State all lost in front of the Wildcats, moving them into the top half of the conference. Their undefeated record will be put on the line this week as they travel to Eugene to face the No. 2 team in the country.

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

This seems like a good place to put Arizona State after its embarrassing loss against UCLA. Things do not get any easier for the Sun Devils, however, as games against USC, Stanford, and Washington loom, two of which are on the road.

7. Washington (4-1, 0-1)

The Huskies actually jump a couple spots after a loss thanks to teams in front of them falling. They proved that they can compete with one of the best teams in the Pac-12, but their offense will have to perform better in order to move into the upper half of the conference.

8. California (3-1, 1-1)

Just seven days after a heartbreaking loss at Arizona, California bounced back in another thrilling game. Colorado's Sefo Liufau and California's Jared Goff combined for 14 passing touchdowns, but the lone field goal of the game would be the difference. James Langford's 34-yarder in double overtime gave the Golden Bears the 59-56 win.

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

A curious mix of bad play-calling and poor play from Oregon State's typical star players led to a long night in the Coliseum against USC. However, with a break in its schedule coming up, it is not that far fetched for the Beavers to be sitting at 7-2 when they host Arizona State in November.

10. Washington State (2-3, 1-1)

The Cougars move up a spot after making a furious comeback to top Utah, 28-27. Playing in heavy rains, Washington State's air attack struggled early on and the Utes built up a 21-0 lead. The visitors would eventually find their footing though, and when Connor Halliday hit Vince Mayle for an 81 yard touchdown pass with just five minutes remaining, the Cougars led 28-27. Both defenses would hold after that and Mike Leach's team escaped Salt Lake City with their first Pac-12 win of the season.

11. Utah (3-1, 0-1)

Is this too big a drop for a team whose only loss has come by a single point? Maybe. But the record for Utah's opponents thus far is a combined 8-11, so this week's game at UCLA will be very interesting since it will be the Utes first game against a marquee opponent.

12. Colorado (2-3, 0-2)

Once again, Colorado showed that it is not the same hapless team that we have seen from it in season's past. Still, it's tough to rank them ahead of any other team in the Pac-12.