Week Six Pac-12 North power rankings

Cougars take top spot after Air Raid gets signature win over OSU

SHAWN P. O'CONNOR, Evergreen reporter

Here is how the Pac-12 North teams stack up after week five.

  1. WSU (Last: 4)

It’s time. The Cougs are No. 1 in these power rankings after cruising to a 56-37 win at Oregon State University. Graduate transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew II continued his dominant season, completing 30 of 40 pass attempts for 430 yards and five touchdowns. The offense was unstoppable, accruing 530 yards while only punting twice.

The Coug defense struggled, especially early on. WSU gave up an early 14-0 lead to trail 30-28 moments after halftime. However, the Cougs cruised from there, outscoring the Beavers 28-7 the rest of the way.

WSU (5-1, 2-1) is on a bye this week before they face Oregon at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 20 in Martin Stadium for Pac-12 North division supremacy.

  1. No. 17 University of Oregon (Last: 3)

No. 17 Oregon took its bye last week. The Ducks (4-1, 1-1) host Washington on Saturday.

  1. No. 7 University of Washington (Last: 1)

The Huskies escaped Los Angeles with a win, squeaking out a 31-24 victory over University of California, Los Angeles.

No. 7 UW jumped out to a 24-7 halftime lead, dominating the Bruins in the first half. UCLA wasn’t finished, however, as the Huskies’ defense let the Bruins climb back into the game, climbing within seven points twice in the second half before UW finally closed the door.

Despite dominating time of possession and committing only one turnover, Washington once again refused to put a Pac-12 opponent away.

Washington (3-0, 5-1) travels to Eugene to face Oregon this week.

  1. Stanford University (Last: 2)

The Cardinal fell on its face as Stanford was dominated by the University of Utah 40-21.

Utah jumped out to a dominant 21-0 lead and took a 24-7 advantage into the locker room. Stanford momentarily woke up in the third quarter, pulling within six points entering the final quarter. But Utah would not be denied a victory as it scored 13 points in the final period.

The Utes ran all over the Cardinal, putting up 222 rushing yards to pair with 199 passing yards. Stanford failed to do anything on the ground, gaining only 42 yards rushing.

Stanford (4-2, 2-1) takes its bye this week before facing Arizona State University on Oct. 18 in Tempe.

  1. University of California, Berkeley (Last: 5)

Cal’s offense wasted a dominant performance from its defense, as the Golden Bears left the desert with a 24-17 loss to the University of Arizona Wildcats. Despite allowing only 265 total yards and forcing two turnovers, Cal’s offense couldn’t put together enough points to escape with a win.

Cal committed 13 penalties for 115 penalty yards while turning the ball over four times. Once a promising team with dark horse aspirations to win the North, Cal’s season is over with two conference losses.

California (3-2, 0-2) hosts winless University of California, Los Angeles this weekend.

  1. Oregon State University (Last: 6)

Oregon State played its best 35 minutes of football this season but couldn’t hold on as the Beavers were defeated 56-37 by WSU.

OSU allowed 430 passing yards and 530 total yards while forcing WSU to punt only twice. The loss came at a cost as redshirt sophomore quarterback Conor Blount suffered a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter and was seen wearing a sling during the waning moments of Saturday’s game.

If Blount cannot play in their next contest, sophomore quarterback Jack Colletto will likely call signals for the Beavs.

Oregon State (1-5, 0-3) takes its bye this week before hosting Cal on Oct. 20.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that Saturday’s game between UW and Oregon will be played in Eugene and not Seattle.