When two groups in a convention play for the championship, one would naturally assume they need to be ranked No. 1 and No. 2, particularly if that convention’s championship sport matches the highest two groups within the standings and doesn’t use divisions the best way the Pac-12 used to.
But, life isn’t all the time that straightforward.
We rank groups based mostly on resumes, not projections or anticipated outcomes. Due to this fact, we are able to’t look forward by way of the present rankings we assign to groups.
Nevertheless, we are able to definitely let you know if our rankings will change. This can be a good time to do this.
There gained’t be any Pac-12 rankings subsequent weekend as a result of just one sport will likely be performed within the convention, the Pac-12 Championship Recreation between USC and Utah.
We’re going to rank the Pac-12 this week, and we’ll let you know how the rankings will change based mostly on the end result of the Pac-12 title sport.
Right here we go:
10
ARIZONA STATE
The Solar Devils appeared like a workforce which may make some noise, however they fizzled in November. Then they employed Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, as Geese Wire famous.
8
ARIZONA
5 wins for Jedd Fisch in 12 months 2, together with a win over rival Arizona State, marks this yr as a hit.
It may have been higher if the U of A had overwhelmed Cal, although.
7
WASHINGTON STATE
The primary precedence for Jake Dickert getting into 2023: Get some offensive linemen within the switch portal.
6
OREGON STATE
Oregon State’s nonconference outcomes are higher than UCLA’s, however UCLA beat Utah and Washington, and OSU went 0-2 towards these groups.
5
UCLA
UCLA misplaced to Oregon, which offsets UCLA beating Washington and Oregon shedding to the Huskies. Each groups beat Utah.
The last word distinction: UCLA misplaced at dwelling to Arizona.
4
OREGON
The Geese are fourth in these rankings. Spots 5-12 are everlasting and last. The highest 4 can change based mostly on the end result of the USC-Utah sport.
Oregon will rise to No. 3 if Utah loses to USC. The Utes made the Pac-12 title sport, so they’re forward of the Geese now, however their head-to-head loss versus Oregon carries weight in the event that they lose a fourth sport and fail to win the Pac-12 title.
3
WASHINGTON
The Huskies did it.
They went 10-2 and could be within the Pac-12 title sport in the event that they hadn’t misplaced to Arizona State.
The Tempe Curse is actual for Washington. It has not gained in Tempe since 2001. ASU was 3-9 this season, and U-Dub nonetheless couldn’t get a dub within the Valley of the Solar Devils this yr.
That time apart, if Utah loses to USC, Washington will end second within the 2022 Pac-12 pre-bowl rankings. A USC win would do one thing very particular for Washington, too: As a result of a USC win places the Trojans within the School Soccer Playoff, the Pac-12 would want a workforce for the Rose Bowl. Washington would get in over Utah in that situation. The Huskies are enormous USC followers this week.
2
UTAH
The Utes backdoored into the Pac-12 Championship Recreation. They gained’t thoughts. They obtained there. They do must beat USC, although, to rise to No. 1. In the event that they lose, they may fall to No. 4. Oregon will transfer as much as No. 3 and Washington to No. 2.