Pac-12 Week 9 Power Rankings

Oct 19, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Washington State Cougars running back Leon Brooks (23) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

It appears that the conference is beset in the center by a massive case of parity. Stratification aside from three obvious teams atop and two vying for the eleventh spot are sandwiching seven teams that seem to hold similar abilities at any kick off. Some hold obvious home advantage while others seem to have shown random uncharacteristic performances that can occur on any snap.

The extremes delivered expectation; the gooey center continues to baffle prognostication. This season seems to show the Pac-12 as a confused group of well matched opponents. Which, as they say, is why we play the games.

12. California (6) (1-6, 0-4)

Well Golden Bears, we have good news for you. Five more games to play, and a win in any of them will vault you beyond the Buffalos. That being said, it must be difficult to be in Berkeley. The fog from the Beavers will follow to Montlake as a frustrated Washington will not show mercy. Pack the Icy-Hot, you’ll be sore.

11. Colorado (9) (3-3, 0-3)

An undefeated out of conference schedule has allowed the Buffalo faithful to hope for travel following their game against Utah. A .500 record from here on out will be required for a Buffs Bowl. We can learn the kind of sand Colorado carries against Arizona, @ UCLA. @Washington, Cal, USC, @Utah. Not out of the realm of possibility, but we still have much to learn of the Boys from Boulder.

10. USC (17) (4-3, 1-2)

A victory at home and a hard fought moral victory in South Bend have shown that jettisoning Kiffen was absolutely correct. The Second half of the season seems to be a second season for the Trojans. How nice a problem to be a program where 4-2 is unacceptable. Evaluation of the Southern Cal schedule shows that there will be no excuse if they are not bowl eligible within Three weeks.

9. Arizona (20) (4-2, 1-2)

Not going out on a limb, Wildcats will be bowl eligible in two weeks. They prove nothing by marching through CU and Cal, but they will prove more than they wish with a loss to either.

8. Washington State (25) (4-4, 2-3)

Leach is still shaking his head at Oregon’s reaction to Sixty minutes of play by the Cougars. Any team that automatically lines up for a two point conversion after their first score does not get to talk about sportsmanship or when to put the breaks on. WSU did prove the Oregon D mortal, which may have been why some were so up in arms. Whatever, the Cougs accomplished what they needed to on Saturday, and now deserve a rest prior to the Devil’s visit to wheat country. On an interesting note of trivia, WSU has not won a Halloween game since 1959. I have no idea what that means, but there you go.

7. Utah (29) (4-3, 1-3)

From Deseret to the desert was not an adventitious change of venue for the Utes. A mercurial peak with Stanford in town may be the season for Utah. Chances are they will manage two more wins to become bowl eligible, but 6-6 in this conference may be a common record.