Week Eight Pac-12 North power rankings

WSU claims top spot after beating Oregon in Saturday’s game

SHAWN P. O'CONNOR, Evergreen reporter

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

1. No. 14 WSU (last week: 2)

The Cougs carried the College GameDay hype into their game, crushing then-No. 12 University of Oregon 34-20.

The high-flying WSU offense scored 27 unanswered points in the first half, including three passing touchdowns in the second quarter. The defense stepped up, holding the Ducks to 35 yards in the first half.

The WSU ground offense finally had a big game, running for 94 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. The passing game was also balanced, as quarterback Gardner Minshew II found nine different receivers in the victory.

WSU (6-1, 3-1) takes on No. 24 Stanford at 4 p.m. Saturday in California.

2. No. 19 University of Oregon (last week: 1)

Oregon couldn’t get anything going until the second half of Saturday’s game, ultimately falling to then-No. 25 WSU.

Junior quarterback Justin Herbert and his offense couldn’t get their footing, gaining only two first downs in the first half.

Oregon’s offense woke up in the third quarter, scoring 20 unanswered points and cutting WSU’s lead to a single touchdown. However, the Ducks couldn’t finish out with a victory as the Cougs scored a game-clinching touchdown with just under four minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

Redshirt freshman running back CJ Verdell had his worst game this season, rushing for only 55 yards on 12 carries.

Oregon (5-2, 2-2) battles University of Arizona on Saturday in Tuscon.

3. No. 15 University of Washington (last week: 3)

The Huskies took care of visiting University of Colorado, taking down the Buffs 27-13.

Senior quarterback Jake Browning had an off day, going 15 of his 25 passes for 150 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

The Washington offense was missing one of its top offensive weapons in senior running back Myles Gaskin as he was out with an injury.

The Huskies’ defense had a stellar night, holding Colorado to 263 yards from scrimmage.

Washington (6-2, 4-1) will hit the road to face California in its next game.

4. No. 24 Stanford University (last week: 4)

The Cardinal escaped with a rare Thursday win, defeating Arizona State University 20-13.

Sophomore quarterback KJ Costello was efficient, completing 75.9 percent of his passes for 231 yards and a touchdown.

Senior running back Bryce Love had another subpar night, carrying the ball 11 times for 21 yards.

Stanford (5-2, 3-1) hosts No. 14 WSU on Saturday in a massive Pac-12 North battle.

5. University of California, Berkeley (last week: 6)

The Golden Bears got a much-needed win, defeating Oregon State 49-7 in Corvallis, Oregon.

Cal was extremely balanced on offense, scoring three touchdowns on the ground and three through the air. The Bears were unstoppable, rushing for 305 of their 539 total yards while holding the Beavers to 241 yards and forcing eight punts.

California (4-3, 1-3) hosts No. 15 UW on Saturday.

6. Oregon State University (last week: 5)

Oregon State fell flat, losing to California 49-7.

The Beavers were no match for the Golden Bears, allowing 539 total yards while only picking up 241 yards of their own. This made for another loss in a disappointing season for the Beavers.

Oregon State (1-6, 0-4) travels to Boulder on Saturday to take on University of Colorado looking for its second win of the season.