This week's polls have been released. Here's how the Pac-12 fared, from the top of the polls to the bottom, and what it means.
(AP/Coaches)
3/2. Stanford
The Cardinal were one of two teams to take advantage of the Game of the Century in Tuscaloosa. Stanford moved up one spot in the AP poll, ahead of Alabama and behind Oklahoma State, and all the way up to second in the Coaches Poll. If they can beat Oregon in next week's huge match up, they will probably leapfrog the Cowboys. The defense showed improvement against Oregon State this week but injuries are continuing to mount, losing two of Andrew Luck's top targets in tight end Levine Toilolo and wide receiver Chris Owusu. 6/6. Oregon
No movement in the polls for the Ducks but they have their chance to make a statement this Saturday in Palo Alto. They dispatched with rival Washington 34-17 thanks to an explosive third quarter. LaMichael James is looking like he's recovering from his elbow injury nicely, rushing for 156 yards and a touchdown against the porous Huskies defense. The best take away from last week's game was the play of the defense, a welcome sign the week before facing the best player in college football.20/ N/A. USC
The Trojans rolled to an easy win against Colorado on national television Friday night and thanks to some losses by teams ahead of them on Saturday, moved up two spots in the AP Poll (they're not eligible for the Coaches Poll). Matt Barkley set a school-record for touchdown passes in a game with six and the running game has been a surprise the past few games as well despite some injuries. They face their old pal Steve Sarkisian back home and can rise even further in the polls with a convincing win. Others receiving votes: Arizona State received 15 points in the AP and 49 from the Coaches, Washington 8/10.
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