Unofficial LRT Pac-10 Power Rankings Week 5

The Ducks showed they aren’t going to give up their Pac-10 title without a fight, the Huskies showed they are still in it this season, USC showed why it was the worst 4-0 team in the country, and the Cougars showed why they are the worst BCS team in the country.

1. Oregon
5-0 (2-0 Pac-10)
LW: 2
The Ducks trailed early but came back to win the game in convincing fashion outscoring Stanford 28-0 in the second half. Oregon is in the drivers seat for the Pac-10 and a possible National Championship shot. Who needs Masoli after all? The Ducks travel to Pullman to take on WSU next week. Anyone think the Ducks won’t be 6-0?

2. Stanford
4-1 (1-1)
LW: 1
For a whiie it looked like the Drunken Trees might prove me right in my previous power rankings, they led the Ducks 21-3 in the first quarter, but the Ducks came roaring back and so the Cardinal are going to have to hope someone else can knock off the Ducks if they want a shot at the Roses. Stanford is home vs. USC next.

3. Arizona
4-0 (1-0)
LW 3
Bye week for the Wildcats who take on Oregon State at home next Saturday.

4. USC
4-1 (1-1)
LW: 4
Trojans had a tough loss to UW in the Colliseum. Offensively they were impressive. Tail Back Allen Bradford had a break out game averging over 10 yards per run with 223 total rushing yards and two TD’s. Matt Barkley was solid at QB throwing 14/20 for 186 yards. But the Trojan defense came up short, sacrificing over 500 yards to the Huskies. Still it was against a revitalized Jake Locker. I don’t think the Trojans could take Stanford or Oregon right now, but the rest of the conference is beatable. We’ll find out next week though when USC heads up to Palo Alto to take on the Drunken Trees.

5. OSU
2-2 (1-0)
LW: 5
The Beavers have faced one of the toughest opening schedules in the nation, with loses coming in away games versus #4 Boise State and #5 TCU. They opened up Pac-10 play with a close win over Arizona State at home. Unfortunately the Beavers don’t get a break as they head down to Arizona next weekend, their third top 10 ranked opponent of the season.

6. UCLA
3-2 (1-1)
LW: 7
For three quarters the Bruins looked about ready to undo all the progress they had made the last two weeks. But with 34 seconds remaining in the 3rd, the Bruins scored one of what would be three touch downs to put away the Cougars for good. The question is who will be quarterback, Prince or Brehaut? Up next a trip to Berkley for a battle of the UC’s.

7. UW
2-2 (1-0)
LW: 9
Last week the Bruins stunned the college world with their upset of the Longhorns, this week it was the Huskies turn. Washington suffered an embarrassing loss to Nebraska the week before but through a gutsy offensive performance led by Jake Locker, who threw for over 300 and ran for over 100 yards in the game, they were able to top the Trojans on a last second field goal for the second year in a row. Defensively the Huskies were still shaky, sacrificing over 200 yards on the ground to an also potent Trojans offense. For Washington it was the first road win since 2007. They return home for two games, first taking on Arizona State next week.

8. ASU
2-3 (0-1)
LW: 7
After opening up against two cupcakes, the Sun Devils have fallen just short of three tough opponents in a row. Turnovers were key in the game, OSU had none, while ASU had three. ASU travels to Washington next week to see if they can stop their skid.

9. Cal
2-2 (0-1)
LW: 8
Bye week for the Bears who have UCLA at home next week. There are a lot of questions regarding the QB situation at UCLA which could play in Cal’s favor, help the bears could use after losing two in a row.

10. WSU
1-4 (0-2)
LW: 10
For awhile it looked like the Cougars were finally going to move in the right direction after years of futility. Then the fourth quarter happened. Two UCLA touchdowns and nothing for the Cougars who drop to 1-4 in what looks like Paul Wulffs final season. Wazzu is going to face the top 3 teams in the Pac-10 over the next three weeks. I think its safe to say the #10 spot in this list is going to be the same for awhile.