The most critical game of the Pac-12 schedule happened on Friday, when Chip Kelly and the UCLA Bruins tore apart the Washington Huskies to preserve their undefeated season.
Washington’s reign at the top of the conference power rankings and as a dark horse college football playoff candidate ended with the loss. UCLA’s resume received a much needed boost.
Elsewhere around the conference, USC, Oregon and Utah took care of business against weaker opponents. Washington State survived an ugly first quarter to defeat Cal, and Arizona smothered Colorado on the road.
It’s clear this conference is going to go right down to the wire, with USC, Utah, UCLA, Oregon and Washington squarely in contention for a championship.
Washington State and Oregon State aren’t far behind either, although neither looked particularly good this past week.
Here are the updated power rankings across the Pac-12 after five weeks of action: