PAC-12 Power Rankings: Week 10

As the season winds down, there were some important changes in this week’s rankings

The race for the conference championship is starting to sort itself out, and a key contest between Texas State and Oregon State served as a must-win game for both teams. A Bobcat win would put Texas State firmly in the championship hunt, while an Oregon State victory would allow the Beavers to control their own destiny. A short-handed Boise State squad traveled to Fort Collins to take on a motivated Colorado State team hoping to salvage its season. Finally, Fresno State looked to build on the momentum of its win over Oregon State as the Bulldogs traveled to Logan to take on Utah State. Washington State and San Diego State both had a bye. Let’s take a look at this week’s results and see how they impacted the Power Rankings.

The defense continues to be a major liability, but the offense has been good enough to allow the Broncos to win most of their games comfortably. Boise State has now clinched at least a share of the regular-season title and can secure home-field advantage with a win over Oregon State this weekend. Dylan Riley continued his outstanding season, accounting for 300 all-purpose yards in Boise State’s 64-38 victory over Colorado State. Riley and the Broncos’ rushing attack should have another big day against an Oregon State defense that struggled against Texas State this past weekend.

The Bobcat offense has looked electric over the last six quarters, and the defense appears to be figuring things out. Brad Jackson has looked sharp, and the rushing attack, led by Torrance Burgess Jr., is one of the best in the nation. The Bobcats are now part of a crowded four-way tie for second place in the PAC-12 standings. I think they will likely be returning to Boise in December if they win their next two games, thanks in part to their victories over Utah State and Oregon State. They just need San Diego State to drop a game, and the Aztecs will travel to Boise in a few weeks.

The bye week may have been the worst thing to ever happen to this program. The Beavers were arguably the hottest team in the country before their Week 8 bye. Since then, the offense has struggled to convert in the red zone and has committed costly turnovers. The defense has also struggled to stop opposing rushing attacks, resulting in the Beavers falling behind early and lacking the firepower to mount a comeback late in games. Oregon State looked defeated on Saturday night, a worrisome sign as the Beavers head into a huge game against Boise State. It is a game that could either save their season or knock them out of championship contention.

The Aggies are finding their stride at the right time and are only a field goal away from being alone in second place in the PAC-12 standings. Utah State’s defense continues its resurgent season, allowing only 10 points to a Fresno State offense coming off a big victory over Oregon State. The Aggies are playing really good football right now and still have a chance to compete for the conference championship if they can win their final two games of the season.

San Diego State was on a bye this week. Here is last week’s entry:

Like many PAC-12 teams, the Aztecs have been all over the place this season. Their 26-20 win was important for several reasons. Despite a struggling passing attack, the Aztecs relied on a solid defensive performance and a strong day on the ground to come away with the victory and keep their bowl hopes alive. The Aztecs are also still in contention for a spot in the conference championship game and would have a decent chance if they win out. However, that would require a win over Boise State on “The Blue.”

The roller coaster of PAC-12 conference play for the Bulldogs hit another speed bump on Saturday. A Bulldog offense that looked like it was finding its stride managed only 10 points in a 17-10 loss at Utah State. While quarterback Jayden Mandal did have some success through the air, the rushing attack managed only 0.6 yards per carry. An inconsistent rushing attack has been a theme of the Matt Entz era in Fresno, a surprising development considering his history at North Dakota State. The loss makes an appearance in the conference championship game highly unlikely.

The Rams’ season feels a bit like a fever dream, and the drama surrounding Jim Mora Jr. and his coaching staff continues to be a major storyline for this program. There was an altercation between a staff member and a player before halftime, and Jim Mora Jr. had what appeared to be an animated conversation with Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson after the game. It is a shame because the Colorado State offense is a lot of fun to watch. However, the defense is one of the worst in college football history. Program drama and an awful defense are not a recipe for success.

Washington State was on a bye this week. Here is last week’s entry:

Another week, another loss for the Cougars. I thought there was a decent chance this would finally be the week Washington State picked up its first win in PAC-12 play, but it wasn’t meant to be. The rushing attack continues to be the team’s biggest weakness. Its only effective option is the quarterback run, and even that has been questionable. Kirby Moore will likely get another year, but he has to address the running back position and offensive line through the transfer portal.

How would you rank each team after this week’s results? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

PAC-12 Power Rankings: Week 10

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