12. Oregon State – 1-1 (Last week: 9)

Result: 7-35 loss at Michigan

Week 2 AP Rank: --

 

Where quarterback Seth Collins and head coach Gary Andersen succeeded a week ago, they failed at the Big House. The Beavers ran for just 59 yards and Collins threw for 79 yards, amounting to 138 yards of total offense.

And Andersen’s decision to not go for it on fourth down and 3 at Michigan’s 39-yard line at the end of the first half still doesn’t make sense.

If the head coach doesn’t believe his team can pick up three yards, I can’t believe OSU should be anywhere but No. 12.

 

Leader from the PAC: LB Rommel Mageo – 8 tackles, 1 INT, 1 sack

Up next: Vs. San Jose State (1-1) on Saturday, September 19 at 5:00 p.m. PST

11. Colorado – 1-1 (11)

Result: 48-14 win vs. UMass.

Week 2 AP Rank: --

 

Colorado revealed a potential rushing attack against UMass, for what it’s worth. The Buffs ran for 390 yards in Boulder, with two players racking more than 100 yards.  

If this is a sign for better things to come, it’s worth a lot. For now, Colorado should be happy it finally snapped its nine-game losing streak.

 

Leader from the PAC: Christian Powell 8 carries, 105 yards, 2 TD

Up next: Vs. Colorado State (1-1) on Saturday, September 19 at 4:00 p.m. PST

10. Washington State – 1-1 (12)

Result: 37-34 win at Rutgers.

Week 2 AP Rank: --

 

So the Cougars lose to an FCS school at home week one then go on the road against Rutgers, a Big Ten program, and win on a 10-play, 90-yard TD drive with 13 seconds remaining on the clock.

Didn’t see that coming. 

Give credit to WSU kicker Erik Powell, too. He scored 13 total points for the Cougs, including completing three field goals, two of which were longer than 45 yards.

Leader from the PAC: WR Gabe Marks – 14 rec., 146 yards, 1 TD

Up next: Vs. Wyoming (0-2) on Saturday, September 19 at 5:30 p.m. PST

9. Arizona State – 1-1 (7)

Result: 35-21 win vs. Cal Poly

Week 2 AP Rank: --

 

The score doesn’t tell the story of this game.

Entering the fourth quarter, ASU and Cal Poly were tied. It continued to be tied until 8 minutes remained. The Sun Devils offense featured a pair of game-changing turnovers and struggled in the red zone – twice failing to score points though being within 10 yards.

ASU’s defense struggled with the Mustangs’ triple option, resulting in 284 rushing yards allowed.

To show how devastating the triple option was, CP quarterback Chris Brown threw the pigskin just eight times all game.

The Sun Devils need to play better soon if they’re going to be relevant when Pac-12 play begins. They have one more buffer before USC.

 

Leader from the PAC: RB Demario Richard 25 carries, 121 yards, 2 TD

Up next: Vs. New Mexico (1-1) on Friday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m. PST

8. Stanford – 1-1 (10)

esult: 31-7 win vs. UCF

Week 2 AP Rank: --

 

The Cardinal offense needed a jump-start – a flee flicker did just that, as quarterback Kevin Hogan threw for three touchdowns and Stanford reached the end zone for the first time this season.

Running back Christian McCaffrey still hasn’t picked up where he left off last year, but for now it was permissible. Next week against USC, he’ll need to step up if Stanford will have a chance.

 

Leader from the PAC: QB Kevin Hogan – 17/29, 341 yards, 3 TD

Up next: Vs. No. 6 USC (2-0) on Saturday, September 19 at 5:00 p.m. PST

7. Washington – 1-1 (8)

Result: 49-0 win vs. Sacramento State

Week 2 AP Rank: --

 

After a positive loss last week, a shutout win against Sacramento State showed further signs of progress for Chris Petersen’s program.

True freshman quarterback Jake Browning threw for two scores and over 320 yards after completing 70-percent of his passes. Then Myles Gaskin led UW’s 218-yard rushing attack, which until this game didn’t show signs of activity.

The defense did its part, holding the Hornets to 212 total yards.

A positive win – FCS included.

 

Leader from the PAC: RB Myles Gaskin 14 carries, 146 yards, 3 TD

Up next: Vs. Utah State (1-1) on Saturday, September 19 at 2:00 p.m. PST

6. California – 2-0 (6)

Result: 35-7 win vs. San Diego State

Week 2 AP Rank: --

 

Following a sluggish start, the Golden Bears came up with two interceptions while the offense turned 21 seconds into 14 points – an impressive accomplishment.

The defense continues to impress, holding the Aztecs offense under 330 yards and picking off two passes. Quarterback Jared Goff and company had the Cal offense rolling, totaling 485 yards.

Goff threw for three scores.

Goff moved within 16 yards of breaking Troy Taylor’s program record for passing yards and has the touchdown passes and completions records in his sights.

 

Leader from the PAC: RB Daniel Lasco – 19 carries, 123 yards, 1 TD

Up next: @ Texas (1-1) on Saturday, September 19 at 4:30 p.m. PST

5. Utah – 2-0 (5)

Result: 24-14 win vs. Utah State

Week 2 AP Rank: 24

 

After allowing 14 second-quarter points, the Utes shutout Utah State in the second half. Devontae Booker led the Utah offense with 120 yards with a touchdown. The defense also forced three turnovers.

Quarterback Travis Wilson suffered a second-quarter shoulder injury and is expected to play Oregon at the end of the month. If so, the Utes avoided a severe setback.

 

 

Leader from the PAC: RB Devontae Booker – 31 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD

Up next: @ Fresno State (1-1) on Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. PST 

4. Arizona – 2-0 (4)

Result: 44-20 win at Nevada

Week 2 AP Rank: 22

 

Sophomores Anu Solomon and Nick Wilson, Arizona’s quarterback and running back respectively, continue to lead the Wildcats downfield. Wilson nearly ran for 200 yards; Solomon tossed for two scores and over 250 yards.

The Scooby Wright-less defense kept the Wolf Pack to 327 total yards, 168 from the ground. Arizona’s strong play continues.

 

Leader from the PAC: RB Nick Wilson – 21 carries, 194 yards, 3 TD

Up next: Vs. Northern Arizona (2-0) on Saturday, September 19 at 8:00 p.m. PST 

2. UCLA – 2-0 (3)

In their second game of the season, the Ducks were exposed. The No. 5 Spartans’ front seven was far stronger than the Oregon offensive line, and it showed when it mattered. Additionally, Oregon’s young secondary played as such.

Still, the Ducks lost by a field goal’s margin, and nearly won the game if not for Vernon Adams’ over throw – who reportedly battled an injury to his throwing hand.

Whatever you do, don’t let this game cause you to count out the Ducks this season.

 

 

Leader from the PAC: Bralon Addison – 7 receptions, 138 yards, 81-yard punt return TD

Up next: Vs. Georgia State on Saturday, September 19 at 11:00 a.m. PST

1. USC – 2-0 (1)

Result: 37-3 win at UNLV

Week 2 AP Rank: 13

 

Josh Rosen didn’t need to pass for over 200 yards in his second collegiate game, nor did the Bruins need to rush for 273 yards.

They did any way. Why did they not need to? Defense.

The Bruins forced two turnovers and kept the Rebels under 60 yards passing and 11 first downs – including all three stuffed fourth down tries.

 

Leader from the PAC: RB Paul Perkins – 18 carries, 151 yards, 2 TD

Up next: Vs. No. 19 BYU (2-0) on Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. PST

Result: 59-9 win vs. Idaho

Week 2 AP Rank: 8

 

When quarterback Cody Kessler can throw for three touchdowns on the same day the offense can produce five rushing touchdowns: it’s a good day for Trojans football.

USC still hasn’t conceded a turnover this season, and its two opponents have yet to score 10 points or more at Memorial Coliseum.  

USC improved in yardage allowed from a week ago, though it still allowed over 300 yards from scrimmage.

However, only one word describes this team so far.

Dominant.

 

Leader from the PAC: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster – 10 receptions, 192 yards, 2 TD

Up next: Vs. Stanford (1-1) on Saturday, September 19 at 5:00 p.m. PST

 

Follow Andrew Bantly on twitter @AndrewBantly