SI Pac-12 Week 1 Power Rankings: UCLA holds spot, earns a few more points
The Fan Nation and Sports Illustrated publishers of the Pac-12 have come together to for the latest update of the conference's hierarchy following Week 0.
UCLA football stayed at No. 6 in the latest edition of the SI Pac-12 Power Rankings, exactly where it placed in the preseason poll, albeit with a few more points to its name. The highest the Bruins were ranked was still at No. 5, again via All Bruins, but the pollsters from Cal Sports Report, Ducks Digest and Husky Maven each moved UCLA up one spot. All Trojans remains the lowest on the Bruins, pegging them at No. 7 in the conference.
UCLA was the only Pac-12 team to compete in Week 0, so its 44-10 win over Hawaii was really the only new factor thrown into the mix since last week's preseason power rankings were released.
Here are the full Week 1 power rankings, as well as some brief thoughts from each of the publishers:
SI PAC-12 FOOTBALL WEEK 1 POWER RANKINGS
1. Oregon, 68 points (4 first-place votes)
2. USC, 67 (1)
3. Washington, 59
4. Utah 55, (1)
5. Arizona State, 48
6. UCLA, 43
7. Cal, 33
8. Stanford, 31
9. Colorado, 27
10 (tie). Oregon State, 15
10. (tie). Washington State, 15
12. Arizona, 7
DONNIE DRUIN, ALL SUN DEVILS
1. Oregon; 2. USC; 3. Washington; 4. Arizona State; 5. Utah; 6. UCLA; 7. Cal; 8. Colorado; 9. Stanford; 10. Oregon State; 11. Washington State; 12. Arizona
Comment: UCLA handled business against Hawaii, as they should have. However, no movement was needed in the rankings from last week. We’ll see what UCLA really looks like when they meet LSU next week.
JAKE CURTIS, CAL SPORTS REPORT
1. Utah; 2. USC; 3. Oregon; 4. Arizona State; 5. Washington; 6. UCLA; 7. Cal; 8. Stanford; 9. Washington State; 10. Colorado; 11. Oregon State; 12. Arizona
Comment: Chip Kelly shouldn’t regain the “genius” status he had a decade ago based on one impressive showing against an overmatched foe. However, UCLA is the only Pac-12 team with a win, so that counts for something. We moved the Bruins up one spot from No. 7, although DTR needs to be better against LSU for the Bruins to be considered a Pac-12 contender.
MAX TORRES, DUCKS DIGEST
1. Oregon; 2. USC; 3. Washington; 4. Utah; 5. UCLA; 6. Arizona State; 7. Cal; 8. Stanford; 9. Colorado; 10. Oregon State; 11. Washington State; 12. Arizona
Comment: Not many changes from last week. I moved UCLA up and I think their win against Hawaii was more or less what I expected. I think they can make a strong case for the No. 2 team in the south. I still want to see what Utah looks like with Charlie Brewer at QB and what Arizona State looks like overall.
SAM CONNON, ALL BRUINS
1. Oregon; 2. USC; 3. Washington; 4. Utah; 5. UCLA; 6. Stanford; 7. Arizona State; 8. Cal; 9. Colorado; 10. Oregon State; 11. Washington State; 12. Arizona
Comment: UCLA stays exactly where it was a week ago in my first power rankings submission, since the Bruins' performance Saturday against Hawaii was about what I expected from them. They may seem like a surprise underdog to many, but this is their identity now – they're a disruptive, fast defense with a lethal ground game on offense. And then Arizona slips one spot for electing to go with a two-quarterback offense since the bust potential there is massive.
CLAUDETTE MONTANA PATTISON, ALL TROJANS
1. Oregon; 2. USC; 3. Washington; 4. Arizona State; 5. Utah; 6. Colorado; 7. UCLA; 8. Stanford; 9. Cal; 10. Washington State; 11. Arizona; 12. Oregon State.
Comment: My picks have not changed since last week, despite UCLA absolutely dominating over Hawaii on Saturday. The Bruins played well, but were challenged by a weaker opponent. Saturday's LSU matchup will be a true test for UCLA to see if they can win against a highly competitive team. If they are able to defeat Ed Orgeron's Tigers that will be very telling and set the tone for their 2021 season.
DAN RALEY, HUSKY MAVEN
1. USC; 2. Washington; 3. Oregon; 4. Utah; 5. Arizona State; 6. UCLA; 7. Cal; 8. Stanford; 9. Colorado; 10. Oregon State; 11. Washington State; 12. Arizona
Comment: The conference recently welcomed an alliance and pushed back on expansion. Yet more importantly, the Pac-12 is begging for a playoff team. The Trojans have never been there, but they’re due. If Helton’s guys still aren’t up for it, the Huskies or Ducks should be poised to make a run. It’s time. It’s long overdue. It’s embarrassing if none of this trio steps up.
Follow Connon on Twitter at @SamConnon
Follow All Bruins on Twitter at @SI_AllBruins
Like All Bruins on Facebook at @SI.AllBruins
Read more UCLA stories: UCLA Bruins on Sports Illustrated
Read more UCLA football stories: UCLA Football on Sports Illustrated
