Emerald City Swagger: PAC-12 Football Power Rankings week of 10/16
By Ed Stein
Top 3
3) Washington State (5-1, 2-1) – Ranked #23. Last week: Idle. This Week: vs. Oregon. Note: To say this is a big game for Washington State would be a huge understatement. Absolutely everything is on the line for Mike Leach and his Cougars. Even ESPN College GameDay is making it’s first ever appearance in Pullman, Washington. Conversely, the Washington State University flag is making it’s 217th visit to the show.
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If WSU wins, they control the PAC-12 North. A loss pretty much removes from the title picture.
2) Washington (5-2, 3-1) – Ranked #14. Last week: Washington lost an overtime heartbreaker to Oregon, 30-27 at Autzen Stadium. The two teams went toe-to-toe and neither team could pull away. The score was tied at the end of each quarter.
UW had the chance to kick a game-winning field, but kicker Peyton Henry missed from 37 yards out. On the previous possession, the Huskies failed to convert a fourth and one from the Oregon 26. UO eventually won the game in overtime when running back C.J. Verdell scored on a six-yard run in the extra period.
The Huskies had 194 yards on the ground, but lost their top two running backs, Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed, by the fourth quarter. Big tight end Drew Sample was QB Jake Browning‘s main target catching four passes for 79 yards. Washington’s defense was led by Ben Burr-Kirven (19 tackles), Tevis Bartlett (12 tackles and a sack) and safety Taylor Rapp (nine tackles).
This week: vs Colorado. Note: No doubt UW is disappointed with losing last week, but they are certainly not out of the PAC-12 title hunt. Head coach Chris Petersen’s team is going to take out their frustrations on Colorado.
1) Oregon (5-1, 2-1) – Ranked #11 Last week: See above. This week: at #23 Washington State. Note: Mario Cristobal’s Ducks come out of the frying pan and into the fire. While Martin Stadium isn’t as big as Autzen, it’s still very loud and the Cougars faithful will be fired up.
* There will be one edition after the PAC-12 Championship game and one after the final Bowl game.