PAC-12 Power Rankings: Week 5

The first week of conference play has concluded. With that, we are starting to get a clearer picture of where each PAC-12 team stands. We saw a variety of interesting matchups this weekend, with three of the four games expected to come down to the final possession. Did the games live up to the hype? Did the results from this past weekend cause a major shakeup in the power rankings? Let’s find out.

#1: Boise State (Last week #1)

It wasn’t a complete game by any means, but the Broncos did what they needed to do against an inferior opponent. The Broncos’ 37-18 win helped the team improve to 4-1 on the season and remain ranked in the AP Poll. It was quarterback Maddux Madsen’s best performance of the year, as he completed 17 of 21 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns. More importantly, he still has zero interceptions on the year. However, the gap is closing between Boise State and Oregon State/Fresno State. Allowing big plays on the defensive side of the ball is still a significant issue, and the Broncos have one of the toughest games left on their schedule when they travel to Fresno to take on the Bulldogs.

#2: Oregon State (Last week #2)

Sure, they were playing a team that fired its defensive coordinator mid-game, but the Beavers were firing on all cylinders in their conference-opening blowout victory over Colorado State. Through five games, Braden Atkinson has far and away been the best quarterback in the PAC-12, and freshman wide receiver Jesse Legree is proving to be one of the best pass catchers in the nation. I do have some concerns about the Beaver defense and their rushing attack, but if the passing attack keeps clicking, it may not matter.

#3: Fresno State (Last week #3)

Fresno State was impressive in their 26-6 road victory over Washington State. The Bulldogs had a dominant defensive showing, holding the Cougars to 182 total yards of offense. The Bulldog front seven was dominant, holding the Cougars to only 30 rushing yards on 24 attempts. Quarterback Jayden Mandal overcame a slow start and was able to carry the Fresno State passing attack in the second half. He completed 24 of 33 passing attempts for 245 yards. It will be interesting to see how the Bulldogs do against a more prolific rushing attack in Boise State. If they can slow down Dylan Riley, they have an excellent chance of pulling off the upset and moving up in the power rankings.

#4: San Diego State (Last week #7)

It is pretty clear that there is a pretty big drop-off after the top three teams. The Aztecs moving up in the power rankings isn’t necessarily because they were impressive this past weekend; it is because the teams below them were just a bigger mess. To be fair, the Aztecs were extremely short-handed this weekend, and beating Texas State after falling behind was no small feat. They were able to capitalize on Bobcat mistakes and come away with the win despite being outgained by more than 300 yards. The Aztecs will have their hands full again this weekend as they take on an even more prolific offense in Oregon State.

#5: Texas State (Last week #6)

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a team lose a game like the Bobcats did on Saturday night. Despite dominating the game and outgaining the Aztecs by more than 300 yards, they still found a way to lose this football game. Texas State gave up 28 second-half points, and it only took 17 offensive yards to get those points. They gave up a kickoff return touchdown, threw an interception that was returned to the 10-yard line, the punter missed a snap at the 7-yard line, and they threw a fourth-quarter pick-six. It was a complete implosion. This game should have been a Bobcat blowout; instead, they are 0-1 in conference play.

#6: Colorado State (Last week #5)

What once looked like a promising season for the Rams is now at risk of falling off the rails. The Rams have arguably the worst defense in the nation and have given up 50-plus points in consecutive weeks. Sure, the offense is solid, but you know something is off when a defensive coordinator is fired mid-game. Fortunately for the Rams, they have a bye this weekend, and it will give Jim Mora Jr. and his staff a chance to work some things out on the defensive side of the ball. But the clock is ticking on this team and its chances of having a respectable season.

#7: Washington State (Last week #4)

The Kirby Moore era is not off to a great start in Pullman. The Cougars had a golden opportunity to make a statement at home in a conference game against a solid Fresno State squad. Instead, the offense was a complete mess, and Matt Miller’s time as a play caller might be coming to an end. Trent Bray’s defense did everything it could to keep Washington State in the game, but eventually, the lack of production by the offense started to wear on the defense. Now the Cougars are underdogs against Utah State. I have to say, I didn’t see that coming when the season started.

#8: Utah State (Last week #8)

The Aggies are a bit of a mess. I think their game against Boise State could have been more competitive if Bronco Mendenhall could have just stayed out of his own way. I get that he wanted to push the ball downfield, but benching Grady Brosterhous in favor of McCae Hillstead made zero sense. Brosterhous was playing well, and the Aggies were moving the ball down the field; penalties were just killing them. This team has a solid defense and can be competitive in this conference. They just have to get out of their own way.

How would you rank each team? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.