Pac-12 power rankings: USC separates from pack, Oregon takes a step forward

Although Week 2 of the college football season is essentially irrelevant considering many teams are still in the cupcake portion of its schedule, the Pac-12 was tested last week. Sort of. 

While every other team played nonconference opponents, USC beat Stanford 42-24 at home and is now atop the Pac-12 standings. You can forget that Western Michigan even tested the Trojans, because USC passes the eye test as a team that could represent the Pac-12 in the College Football Playoff. 

Washington State won a shootout against Boise State in triple-overtime, while Oregon nearly blew a 21-7 lead to Nebraska but still beat a reputable program. 

Washington routed Montana and Colorado thumped Texas State, which means … what exactly?

Here's what we know: Oregon is taking leaps in Willie Taggart's first season at the helm, while USC's title hopes have gone up another notch.   

Here's a look at this week's Pac-12 power rankings, as voted on by Michael Lev, Zack Rosenblatt and the Arizona Daily Star rookie Justin Spears. 

1. USC (2-0; Previous rank:1)

Last week: 42-24 win vs. Stanford

This week: vs. Texas (Saturday, 5:30 p.m., Ch. 11)

Comment: USC's season should be the title of Sam Darnold's podcast on Apple: "Season of Sam." Darnold completed 21 of 26 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns against Stanford. The Trojans have lost linebacker Porter Gustin due to surgery on his big toe, so it's possible the defense takes a step back this week. But, c'mon, it's Texas. If Maryland smacked UT, then USC should be solid.  

WASHINGTON (2-0; Previous rank:1)

Last week: 63-7 win vs. Montana

This week: vs. Fresno State (Saturday, 6:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)

Comment: The Huskies continue to coast through their uncomplicated nonconference schedule. Dante Pettis scored his seventh career punt return for a touchdown last week, breaking DeSean Jackson's Pac-12 record. Pettis needs one more to tie the NCAA record. Fresno State got smacked by Alabama, so expect the Huskies to do the same. Maybe Pettis could make history this week.  

OREGON (2-0; Previous rank:4)

Last week: 42-35 win vs. Nebraska

This week: at Wyoming (Saturday, 4 p.m., CBS Sports Network)

Comment: Remember that scene in "Space Jam," when Michael Jordan gave the Looney Tunes players water labeled as "Michael Jordan's secret stuff" — and then the team played great? I assume head coach Willie Taggart used the same tactic in the first half last week, when Oregon took a 42-14 lead over Nebraska. The secret stuff wore off in the second half, and Nebraska came back to nearly beat Oregon in Eugene. This week doesn't get any easier: Oregon travels to Wyoming to face off against one of the best quarterbacks in college football, the Cowboys' Josh Allen. With a win, the Ducks will head into conference play undefeated.   

STANFORD (1-1; Previous rank:3)

Last week: 42-24 loss at USC

This week: at San Diego State (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network)

Comment: Stanford may have the potential to be a Holiday Bowl team this season, but let's face it: the Cardinal are not the Pac-12's best. Lev has Stanford ranked higher than Oregon, which is fair considering the Cardinal have more veterans and a better offensive line. Stanford is going to need its experienced players to step up, because playing San Diego State on the road has "trap game" written all over it. SDSU recently beat Arizona State 30-20 on the road, and what better way to finish the nonconference schedule than beating two Pac-12 teams in back-to-back weeks?

WASHINGTON STATE (2-0; Previous rank:4)

Last week: 47-44 win vs. Boise State

This week: vs. Oregon State (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)

Comment: Washington State trailed 31-10 in the fourth quarter and still beat Boise State last week. Wazzu has one of the most electrifying offenses in the Pac-12, let alone college football. You know the ol' saying: "If you have two quarterbacks, then you have no quarterback." Mike Leach has two quarterbacks, and both of them are capable of leading this team. Tyler Hilinksi replaced the injured Luke Falk in the middle of the game and rallied the Cougars back to win in three overtimes. Hilinski finished with 25 of 33 passing for three touchdowns. Looks like Arizona might not be the only team with quarterback controversy. 

COLORADO (2-0; Previous rank:7)

Last week: 37-3 win vs. Texas State

This week: vs. Northern Colorado (Saturday, 11 a.m., Pac-12 Networks)

Comment: The Buffs cleaned up their play against Texas State after struggling against Colorado State. Wide receiver Bryce Bobo had an insane one-handed catch down the sideline that earned him a spot on "SportsCenter's" Top-10 plays and quarterback Steven Montez went 19 of 31 for 299 yards and a touchdown. Colorado is a wildcard team, because although it was in the Pac-12 Championship a season ago, it still needs to show that it's more than a middle-of-the-Pac team. Pun intended. 

7. UCLA (2-0; Previous rank:8)

Last week: 56-23 win vs. Hawaii 

This week: at Memphis (Saturday, 9 a.m., Ch., 9)

Comment: It was two weeks ago, we were talking about how UCLA is so firing Jim Mora. Last week, we talked how Josh Rosen is UCLA's golden boy and savior of Mora's career. Now we're in Week 3, and the Bruins are ranked No. 25 in college football. The Bruins are rolling right now and Rosen has eight touchdowns in two games. Wherever Rosen goes, UCLA follows. Trap game alert: UCLA plays a Memphis team that had two weeks of preparation after its game against Central Florida was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma. It's an early game on the road, so bring out the coffee mugs instead of the beer cans for this game.  

UTAH (2-0; Previous rank:6)

Last week: 16-13 win over BYU

This week: vs. San Jose State (Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN2)

Comment: Lev has Utah as the sixth-best team in the Pac-12, and he's been around the conference long enough to recognize a decent team when he sees one. Against BYU, quarterback Tyler Huntley went 27 of 36 passing for 300 yards and was also Utah's leading rusher with 89 yards. Huntley might be one of the most underrated quarterbacks in a conference that is loaded at that position. Oregon transfer Darren Carrington got settled in quickly with seven catches for 129 yards. So maybe in a week or two, the Utes might reach the top half in the Pac-12 power rankings. For now, they're No.8. 

9. CAL (2-0; Previous rank:9)

Last week: 33-20 win vs. Weber State

This week: vs. Ole Miss (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)

Comment: The Golden Bears enter four weeks of doom. Sure, they're 2-0 and had an encouraging win at North Carolina in Justin Wilcox's debut as coach, but Cal is about to be in a world of hurt. Cal plays Ole Miss at home on Saturday, then must face USC, Washington and Oregon on the road in Pac-12 play. Say a prayer for the boys in Berkeley. 

10. ARIZONA (1-1; Previous rank:10)

Last week: 19-16 loss to Houston

This week: at UTEP (Friday, 7:15 p.m., ESPN)

Comment: For another week, we are left wondering who will be Arizona's quarterback moving forward after Brandon Dawkins and Khalil Tate received action in a home loss to Houston. Dawkins will get the start against UTEP, and this could be the game that determines who the Wildcats should go with in Pac-12 play. UTEP is ranked 120th in FBS in total defense, so there will be no excuses for poor QB play. 

11. Arizona State (1-1; Previous rank:11)

Last week: 30-20 loss to San Diego State

This week: at Texas Tech (Saturday, 5 p.m., FSN)

Comment: Leave it to the Arizona schools to lose to non-Power 5 conference teams at home. The Sun Devils lost by 10 last week, but the score doesn't represent what actually happened in the game. ASU gave up 279 rushing yards and couldn't stop a nosebleed.  I thought ASU would've been on the surprise teams in the conference, with Manny Wilkins tested in preseason camp, Kalen Ballage having an historic season and wide receiver N'Keal Harry having a breakout year, but the defense hasn't improved.   

OREGON STATE (1-2; Previous rank:12)

Last week: 48-14 loss to Minnesota

This week: at Washington State (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)

Comment: Let's get this one over with. Oregon State went scoreless in the second half against Minnesota, and its defense is now ranked last in FBS. A mediocre offense mixed with a terrible defense is one way to get a program down to the cellar of the Pac-12. The Beavers turn to Washington State and with Wazzu's quarterback situation, it doesn't matter who's behind center. Uncle Rico or Flash Gordon could be Washington State's quarterback and Oregon State would still lose by 50-plus points.