:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50913919/usa-today-9546977.0.jpg)
Prepare yourself, ladies and gentlemen. The phenomenon known fondly as #Pac12AfterDark is upon us, as conference play has finally gotten underway.
USC and No. 7 Stanford dueled in an early-season Pac-12 showdown during which more questions were raised of the Trojans while Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey reinforced his case as best player in the country. The rest of the teams in the league combined for a 8-2 record, including a 50-43 upset win for Cal over No. 11 Texas.
Things are about to get crazy. Below, Connor Pelton and I try our hand in the chaos with our weekly Pac-12 power rankings.
Pac-12 North
| Rank | Pelton | Jones |
| 1. | Washington | Washington |
| 2. | Stanford | Stanford |
| 3. | California | California |
| 4. | Oregon State | Oregon |
| 5. | Oregon | Oregon State |
| 6. | Washington State | Washington State |
Closer Look
There's a consensus top three this week in the North.
Washington has been rolling, Stanford isn't budging, and Cal's upset of Texas has separated them from the bottom half of the pack. For now. Meanwhile, Oregon's loss at the hands of Nebraska has them at No. 5 in Mr. Pelton's rankings, and at No. 4 in mine.
Pac-12 South
| Rank | Pelton | Jones |
| 1. | Utah | UCLA |
| 2. | UCLA | Utah |
| 3. | Arizona State | Colorado |
| 4. | Colorado | Arizona State |
| 5. | Arizona | USC |
| 6. | USC | Arizona |
Closer Look
Utah is now 3-0, winning comfortably over San Jose State over the weekend, so it's clear to see why Pelton has the Utes still slotted at No. 1. After edging out BYU on an off day, UCLA retains the top spot in my half. Colorado's near-scare of Michigan lifts it a few spots, with ASU dropping a spot following its ponderable showing versus UTSA.
The team with the grandest demise? USC, which is ranked as one of our bottom-two programs in the South.