Pac-12 Power Rankings: Week 12 with a Historical Note
By George Means
Aug 31, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Tre Mason (21) is tackled by Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon (20) at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers defeated the Cougars 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Previous rankings can be found here.
Ladies and gentleman we did not see that coming. Well some saw it coming, but their bold predictions were far outweighed by what turned out to be Duck hubris. Others attempted to make their name (or remind us of their existence) to varying success.
This brought to mind a question that we hear screamed from every program: Tradition!
This edition of the All Coug’d Up Power rankings will look at each team’s history, as well as their previous success or failure against this week’s opponent.
12. California – (6) (1-9, 0-9)
The Bears were a power. Two national championships (they claim five). They have not won an outright conference championship since 1958. Largely, the past half a century has not been kind to Cal. Their eight Rose Bowl appearances are impressive, but again, nothing since 1958.
Cal holds a 4-2 record entering Boulder Saturday, but the battle for eleventh place will be hard fought.
11. Colorado (12) (3-6, 0-6)
The Buffs have been consistently strong throughout their history. More than 20 conference championships and a 1990 National Championship shared with Georgia Tech make Colorado’s football trophy room rival most of the conference. The question is: When will they make a difference on the West Coast?
Colorado will likely run through the downtrodden guests from Berkeley to proudly claim their place as 11th in the Pac. So, yeah, enjoy that, Buff fans. Maybe somewhere down the road, you might be able to get to a Rose Bowl.
10. Utah (18) (4-5, 1-5)
Well, Utah does not have what could be considered a storied history in major college football. A three decade dry spell from the 60s through the mid-90s makes their recent inclusion into the Pac seem somewhat questionable. Utah beat up on their sub-BCS rivals enough that a place at the table seemed fit, however, and the Stanford victory earlier in the year proved their place.
Does anyone think that Utah has a chance against an angry Duck team? Leaving the Beehive State has not been fortuitous for the Utes this season, and the next couple of trips will not change that. Utah might want to get some playing time for their back ups, because they have no chance this week.
9. Washington State (26) (4-5, 2-4)
Beginning in the PCC the Cougs immediately made their presence known as they won the first Rose Bowl against Brown. Adding five more titles and three more trips to the Rose Bowl, the boys from Pullman have improved relevancy steadily for the past few decades.
Let’s hope that rest was worth it. The Cougs barely showed up against the Sun Devils, but a chance to march into the Copper State and somehow talk themselves into believing that beating the Wildcats would avenge that debacle . . . well, let’s hope so. See below for how we’ve done so far against, Arizona, it isn’t good.
8. Arizona (34) (6-3, 3-3)
Arizona has, by any measure, the least impressive history in the Pac-12. More than a century of football has given Arizona seven conference championships, and no outright championships in the Pac-12. The Wildcats have never been to the Rose Bowl, though they have only had 30 some odd years to qualify.
One Pac-12 whipping boy for Arizona has been the Cougs, as they hold a 25-13 advantage in a rivalry that has seen a match up most years since the early 60s.
7. Washington – (35) (6-3, 3-3)
18 conference titles and 13 Rose Bowls. An honestly impressive history. What mires the history is their claims to titles outside of the recognized 1991 season (shared with Miami). The Huskies, showing great sportsmanship, claim an additional 4 titles.
Washington’s record against the Bruins has not been that great. 30-38-2 will likely see another loss with the Dawgs making their way into the Rose Bowl Friday. Bowl eligible, yes, but if Sark wants that coveted job in Watts, they better win a few more games.