Pacific Takes Pac-12 Power Rankings 9/4: Huskies Move Up as Beavers Fall Down

Throughout the season, we will be putting together an objective, weekly Pac-12 power rankings based on voting by a collection of Pac-12 bloggers. Pre-Season rankings included in parenthesis next to teams.

North

1. Oregon (1)

The Ducks held onto their top spot by rolling pitiful Nicholls State about as hard as you can roll a team.

2. Stanford (2)

The Cardinal still hold a comfortable spot behind Oregon, but might have to blowout their softer early-season opponents or risk letting Washington invade their territory at the top.

3. Washington (4)

The Huskies firmly established themselves early on as the team that might be able to challenge Oregon and Stanford in the North with their dismantling of Boise State and Oregon State's loss to Eastern Washington.

4. Cal (5)

The Bears couldn't pull off the win over Northwestern, but showed enough fight to suggest that they might be bouncing back out of the bottom of the division in Sonny Dykes' first season.

5. Washington State (6)

A near upset of Auburn combined with Oregon State's embarrassing loss to Eastern Washington means the Cougars are out of the North cellar for the first time in a long time.

6. Oregon State (3)

The Beavers dug themselves a perilous hole on the very first week of the season and will now face an uphill battle in getting back towards the top of the division, where they were expected to be going into the season.

South

1. UCLA (1)

The Bruins were an unanimous pick for the top spot in our pre-season rankings and were only one vote away from being it again after blowing out Nevada in their opener. I'm not sure if they are that rock solid up top, but right now they are sitting atop the UCLA/USC/Arizona State/Arizona pile up that looks to be very even in fighting for the division.

2. USC (3)

The Trojans weren't very impressive on offense against Hawaii in their opener, but still managed to jump Arizona State, who was on a bye, somehow.

3. Arizona State (2)

The Sun Devils got punished for their week off, but are only just barely behind USC.

4. Arizona (4)

The Wildcats won't have much of a chance to jump up early with their ultra-soft non-conference schedule unless someone above them gets majorly upset.

5. Utah (5)

The Utes didn't get a single vote above fifth place in the pre-season, but earned themselves some after week one and a good win over Utah State which narrowed the gap between them and Arizona.

6. Colorado (6)

The Buffs gave their fans a sign of hope by beating Colorado State in their opener, but will still have a steep hill to climb with the teams ahead of them.