Pac-12 Week 13 Power Rankings: Utes Move Into Driver’s Seat

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Oregon suffered an upset loss to Arizona State, while Utah knocked off Arizona, leaving the Utes in the driver’s seat in the Pac-12.

The Ducks already clinched a spot in the Pac-12 Championship game last week. Utah will clinch their second straight South Division title with a win over Colorado on Saturday.

Here’s the KSL Sports Pac-12 Power Rankings after the 13th week of the season:

NORTH

1. No. 14 (AP) Oregon Ducks (9-2, 7-2 Pac-12)

Result: Beat Arizona 34-6 at home.

Recap: Oregon scored the first touchdown before Arizona State rattled off 24 unanswered points to lead 24-7 with 8:42 left in the game. The Ducks answered with two touchdowns to cut the lead to three points with five minutes remaining. ASU quarterback Jayden Daniels found wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for an 81-yard touchdown with 3:54 left. Oregon added one more touchdown to trim the lead back to three with two minutes left, but couldn’t get a stop on defense. The loss snaps a 9-game winning streak for Oregon and eliminates any chance of reaching the College Football Playoff. Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 304 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Wide receiver Johnny Johnson III hauled in 10 receptions for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back C.J. Verdell racked up 99 yards on 18 carries. Oregon already clinched the Pac-12 North Division last week.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next up: vs. Oregon State (5-6, 4-4 Pac-12), Saturday at 2 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

Final from Tempe. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/tTBVSNpIDY

— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 24, 2019

2. Oregon State Beavers (5-6, 4-4 Pac-12)

Result: Lost to Washington State 54-53 on the road.

Recap: The game was very high scoring. Oregon State had a 24-21 lead at halftime. The Cougars scored two unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter to lead 35-24. Oregon State answered with 4 touchdowns in the fourth quarter, allowing just one score by Washington State and had a 53-42 lead with 4:17 left. The Cougars scored a touchdown with 2 minutes left to cut the deficit to five points before running back Max Borghi ran in a two-yard touchdown with two seconds left to hand Oregon State their sixth loss of the season. Quarterback Jake Luton threw for 408 yards, 5 touchdowns and one interception. Running back Jermar Jefferson ran the ball 21 times for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns. Wide receiver Champ Flemings hauled in 4 catches for 110 yards and one touchdown.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next up: at No. 14 Oregon (9-2, 7-1 Pac-12), Saturday at 2 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

OOOOOOOOmarMG #GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/pqtuNFm49F

— Oregon State Football (@BeaverFootball) November 24, 2019

3. Washington Huskies (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12)

Result: Lost to Colorado 20-14 on the road.

Recap: Colorado jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first half before Washington scored their first touchdown early in the third quarter. The Buffaloes answered late in the quarter to stretch their lead to 13. Washington was only able to find the end zone one more time early in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Jacob Eason threw for 206 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Hunter Bryant had 5 receptions for 82 yards.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next up: vs. Washington State (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12), Friday at 2 p.m. on FOX.

pic.twitter.com/mkvq7zoyzF

— Washington Football (@UW_Football) November 24, 2019

4. Washington State Cougars (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12)

Result: Beat Oregon State 54-53 at home.

Recap: The game was very high scoring. Oregon State had a 24-21 lead at halftime. The Cougars scored two unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter to lead 35-24. Oregon State answered with 4 touchdowns in the fourth quarter, allowing just one score by Washington State and had a 53-42 lead with 4:17 left. The Cougars scored a touchdown with 2 minutes left to cut the deficit to five points before running back Max Borghi ran in a two-yard touchdown with two seconds left to pull off their second straight win and become bowl eligible. Quarterback Anthony Gordon passed for 606 yards, 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Borghi had just 44 yards but ran in two touchdowns. Wide receiver Renard Bell finished with 8 receptions for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next up: at Washington (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12), Friday at 2 p.m. on FOX.

#GoCougs | #JoinTheHunt | #CougsVsEverybody pic.twitter.com/PjGfa3drPx

— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) November 24, 2019

5. California Golden Bears (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12)

Result: Beat Stanford 30-24 on the road.

Recap: Both teams exchanged touchdowns and field goals in the first half to tie the game at 10 at halftime. The Cardinal scored the only touchdown in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Cal tied the game early, Stanford then took the lead with a field goal with two minutes left. Cal quarterback Chase Garbers ran in a 16-yard touchdown with 1:19 left to win the game, snapping a 9-game skid to their rival. Garbers finished with 285 yards through the air and 72 on the ground along with two touchdowns. Wide receiver Nikko Remigio had 9 receptions for 157 yards and one touchdown.

Previous Ranking: 6

Next up: at UCLA (4-7, 4-4 Pac-12), Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on FS1.

THE AXE IS COMING HOME! pic.twitter.com/L7QvUsrcd5

— Cal Football (@CalFootball) November 24, 2019

6. Stanford Cardinal (4-7, 3-6 Pac-12)

Result: Lost to California 30-24 at home.

Recap: Both teams exchanged touchdowns and field goals in the first half to tie the game at 10 at halftime. The Cardinal scored the only touchdown in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Cal tied the game early, Stanford then took the lead with a field goal with two minutes left. Cal quarterback Chase Garbers ran in a 16-yard touchdown with 1:19 left to win the game. The Cardinal has lost their last three games and four of their last five. Quarterback Davis Mills threw for 283 yards, one touchdown and 2 interceptions. Running back Cameron Scarlett was held to 31 rushing yards on 12 carries but did find the end zone once.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next up: vs. No. 16 Notre Dame (9-2), Saturday at 2 p.m. on FOX.

Final from Stanford Stadium.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/RKqI2rC4G2

— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) November 24, 2019

SOUTH

1. No. 6 (AP) Utah Utes (10-1, 7-1 Pac-12)

Result: Beat Arizona 35-7 on the road.

Recap: It was all Utah from the opening kickoff. The Utes scored two touchdowns in both the first and third quarters and added their fifth score in the fourth quarter. Arizona scored their only touchdown late in the game with the Utah backups in. The Utes won their seventh straight game. Tyler Huntley threw for 211 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Zack Moss had 26 carries for 203 yards and one touchdown. Tight end Brant Kuithe hauled in four catches for 81 yards, along with two carries for 9 yards and two touchdowns.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next up: vs. Colorado (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12), Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on ABC.

Make that six opponents held under 10 points this season. Utes win! #goutes #LightTheU pic.twitter.com/dDXpW3xd7b

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 24, 2019

2. No. 25 (AP) USC Trojans (8-4, 7-2 Pac-12)

Result: Beat UCLA 52-35 at home.

Recap: The game was close in the first half with USC holding a 10 point lead at halftime. They created separation with two unanswered touchdowns to start the third quarter. The Bruins cut the lead to 10 again before the end of the third. USC outscored UCLA 14-7 in the fourth quarter to pick up their third straight win. Quarterback Kedon Slovis set a school record with 515 passing yards to go with four touchdowns. Vavae Malepeai carried the ball 10 times for 50 yards and 2 touchdowns. Wide receiver Drake London recorded 8 catches for 142 yards and one touchdown. Amon-Ra St. Brown had 8 catches for 128 yards, Tyler Vaughns caught 6 passes for 106 yards and one touchdown, while Michael Pittman Jr. hauled in 13 receptions for 104 yards and 2 touchdowns.

USC has a chance to play in the Pac-12 Championship game, but they need Utah to lose to Colorado.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next up: Bye Week

The Victory Bell is home! #FightOn ✌️ pic.twitter.com/ghac8QFiHH

— USC Football (@USC_FB) November 24, 2019

3. Arizona State Sun Devils (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12)

Result: Beat No. 6 Oregon 31-28 at home.

Recap: Oregon scored the first touchdown before Arizona State rattled off 24 unanswered points to lead 24-7 with 8:42 left in the game. The Ducks answered with two touchdowns to cut the lead to three points with five minutes remaining. ASU quarterback Jayden Daniels found wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for an 81-yard touchdown with 3:54 left. Oregon added one more touchdown to trim the lead back to three with two minutes left, but Arizona State was able to move the sticks on offense to run out the clock and pull off the massive upset. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Sun Devils. Daniels finished with 408 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air. Running back Eno Benjamin ran the ball 31 times for 114 yards. Aiyuk had 7 receptions for 161 yards and one touchdown. Frank Darby added 4 catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next up: vs. Arizona (4-7, 2-6 Pac-12), Saturday at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

W. pic.twitter.com/4wYf17eGXo

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) November 24, 2019

4. UCLA Bruins (4-7, 4-4 Pac-12)

Result: Lost to No. 23 USC 52-35 on the road.

Recap: The game was close in the first half with USC holding a 10 point lead at halftime. They created separation with two unanswered touchdowns to start the third quarter. The Bruins cut the lead to 10 again before the end of the third. USC outscored UCLA 14-7 in the fourth quarter to hand the Bruins their second straight loss. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw for 367 yards, 3 touchdowns and one interception. He also ran the ball 16 times for 64 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Devin Asiasi caught 5 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown, with Kyle Philips adding 12 receptions for 123 yards.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next up: vs. California (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12), Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on FS1.

FINAL: USC 52, UCLA 35 pic.twitter.com/fGGjRfixNA

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) November 24, 2019

5. Colorado Buffaloes (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12)

Result:

Recap: Colorado jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first half before Washington scored their first touchdown early in the third quarter. The Buffaloes answered late in the quarter to stretch their lead to 13. Washington was only able to find the end zone one more time early in the fourth quarter. The Buffs won their second straight game. Quarterback Steven Montez threw for 223 yards and one touchdown. Running back Alex Fontenot ran the ball 24 times for 105 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. had 7 receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown.

Previous Ranking: 6

Next up: at No. 6 Utah (10-1, 7-1 Pac-12), Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on ABC.

#BUFFSWIN ✔️ pic.twitter.com/yAkY2pe8Ak

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) November 24, 2019

6. Arizona Wildcats (4-7, 2-6 Pac-12)

Result: Lost to No. 7 Utah 35-7 at home.

Recap: It was all Utah from the opening kickoff. The Utes scored two touchdowns in both the first and third quarters and added their fifth score in the fourth quarter. Arizona scored their only touchdown late in the game with the Utah backups in. Quarterback Grant Gunnell had 96 passing yards and one rushing touchdown. Running back J.J. Taylor was limited to 33 yards on 10 carries.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next up: at Arizona State (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12), Saturday at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

Final score at Arizona Stadium: pic.twitter.com/833rBYPHyD

— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) November 24, 2019

The full Pac-12 power rankings without divisions:

1. Utah
2. Oregon
3. USC
4. Oregon State
5. Washington
6. Arizona State
7. Washington State
8. California
9. UCLA
10. Colorado
11. Stanford
12. Arizona