Story by Jon Wilner
Power ratings are based entirely on the scoreboard, except when they aren’t …
(All times Pacific)
1. UCLA (2-0)
Result: Beat No. 16 LSU 38-27
Next up: Idle (then vs. Fresno State, Sept. 18)
Comment: The Bruins were 12-to-1 to win the conference championship before the season. Right about now, with that running game, they should be even money.
2. USC (1-0)
Result: Beat San Jose State 30-7
Next up: vs. Stanford (7:30 p.m., FOX)
Comment: Maybe we’re overreacting, but the way defensive coordinator Todd Orlando has his unit pressuring the pocket and flying to the ball reminds us of the epic 2008 defense that held eight opponents to single digits.
3. Oregon (1-0)
Result: Beat Fresno State 31-24
Next up: at Ohio State (9 a.m., FOX)
Comment: Not sure which should be more concerning to Oregon fans as the Buckeyes loom: The passing game, the offensive line, the defense, the special teams, or Kayvon Thibodeaux’s injury. Actually, we are sure: All of it.
4. Arizona State (1-0)
Result: Beat Southern Utah 41-14
Next up: vs. UNLV (7:30 p.m., ESPN2)
Comment: A weak schedule just got weaker after UNLV lost its opener to Eastern Washington. So much for the Sun Devils’ playoff chances. The selection committee will never take ’em.
5. Utah (1-0)
Result: Beat Weber State 40-17
Next up: at Brigham Young (7:15 p.m., ESPN)
Comment: What do Zack Moss and Devontae Booker have in common? Neither is as talented as Tavion Thomas.
6. Oregon State (0-1)
Result: Lost at Purdue 30-21
Next up: vs. Hawaii (8 p.m., FS1)
Comment: Not sure why the Beavers are bothering Sam Noyer, Chance Nolan, and Tristan Gebbia. Just name Tyjon Lindsey the starter and move on to other things.
7. Colorado (1-0)
Result: Beat Northern Colorado 35-7
Next up: vs. Texas A&M in Denver (12:30 p.m., FOX)
Comment: We’re not overreacting when we say Montana Lemonious-Craig is a great name. Even better is his full name: Montana-George Eugene Lemonious-Craig. Oh, and he’s from Inglewood.
8. Cal (0-1)
Result: Lost to Nevada 22-17
Next up: at TCU (12:30 p.m., ESPNU)
Comment: Chase Garbers completed 25 passes on Saturday, but only four went for 10 yards or more. With that low-flow production, the Bears will be home for the holidays even with five games in a weak division.
9. Arizona (0-1)
Result: Lost to Brigham Young 24-16
Next up: vs. San Diego State (7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: SDSU was a 31-point favorite over New Mexico State last week but trailed 10-0 at halftime before taking control. Cats win by double digits.
10. Stanford (0-1)
Result: Lost to Kansas State 24-7
Next up: at USC (7:30 p.m., FOX)
Comment: A few more performances like that and Stanford’s other 35 sports should start a campaign to put football on the chopping block.
11. Washington State (0-1)
Result: Lost to Utah State 26-23
Next up: vs. Portland State (3 p.m., Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: We are united in believing that the fourth-quarter defense was a clear shot at the constitutional rights of WSU fans everywhere.
12. Washington (0-1)
Result: Lost to Montana 13-7
Next up: at Michigan (5 p.m., ABC)
Comment: The Hotline placed the loss in proper historical context earlier this morning. But suffice it to say: There has never been a more offensive performance.
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