Pac-12 Power Rankings: Week 11

1. Southern California (9-2, 7-1 conference) - So, here’s a fun unintentional result of this last crazy weekend of games: Not only has USC clinched the South division, but thanks to some of the chaos of the weekend, they suddenly have an outside shot at the CFP. Life really is unfair sometimes.
2. Washington State (9-2, 6-2) - The Cougs were already in a position where if they won out, they would make the Pac-12 Championship Game. Getting to watch rival Washington lose had to have been a bonus, though.
3. Stanford (7-3, 6-2) - Don’t look now, but if the Cardinal win out and the Cougs lose the Apple Cup, Stanford would win the North division, and get a second shot at USC.
4. Arizona (7-3, 5-2) - Give Khalil Tate the Heisman already.
5. Washington (8-2, 5-2) - So much for Washington’s playoff hopes. Or even their hopes of winning the North. Washington needs to not-only win out, but need the Cardinal to lose in the Big Game this weekend in order to take the division. And if the Cardinal win this weekend, you wonder what Washington team could show up in the Apple Cup.
6. No one. - Wait, what? Yeah, my opinion at this point is ranking any of the bottom 7 teams is a fools errand at this point. They’re all varying levels to mediocre, and can turn in an awful performance at the drop of the hat. So I’ll talk about all these teams for now, but at this point the bottom of the conference is a trash pile. Ask me at the end of the regular season, and maybe the trash will separate itself better.

Arizona State (5-5, 4-3) - The team that was closest to escaping the trash pile, they instead decided it was a good strategy to stop running up the middle against UCLA, which basically convinced me that Todd Graham owed Jim Mora money and it was time to collect.

UCLA (5-5, 3-4) - When the Bruins are at home, they’re a team that can be competitive with everyone in this conference. When the Bruins are on the road, there’s a good chance they’re about to be embarrassed. Nothing makes sense anymore.

Utah (5-5, 2-5) - The Utes didn’t play bad against Washington State, but the 8 point differential really feels deceptive at this point. But at least a bowl game is still attainable for this team.

Oregon (5-5, 2-5) - The Ducks made the correct decision and did not play football this past weekend. Can’t lose if you don’t play!

UC Berkeley (5-5, 2-5) - The Bears have a rough final two games to end the year: the Big Game against Stanford, and a game against apparently the best home team in the world in UCLA. A bowl game wasn’t expected for this team, but the fact that it is still attainable has to be considered a big win in itself.

Colorado (5-6, 2-6) - If the Buffalo can beat Utah to finish the season, they’ll make a bowl game. In that sense, taking this next week off couldn’t have come at a better time.

12. Oregon State (1-9, 0-7) - Ok, yeah, Oregon State is still at the bottom of the trash pile. There isn’t much I can do there.