Study this one closely.
Non-conference Records Versus Power 4 Teams:
- SEC: 10-2 (Gross)
- Big 12: 5-7
- ACC: 6-9
- Big Ten: 4-10
- Mountain West: 0-7
- Pac-12: 0-12
Preseason expectations are meaningless compared to actual results. The Big Ten has underperformed. Oregon’s loss to Oklahoma State forced a change in perceptions out West.
But it’s a long season.
The Ducks will probably continue building their at-large Playoff resume in Conference play.
That’s a harder task for teams in the Big 12, which rely more on margins of victory to boost their status.
The worst optics from the non-conference season, though, are by far on the Pac-12.
That league’s claim as a “Power Conference” was officially exposed as false. The rebuilt Conference of Champions is nowhere near Power Conference status.
Yet, Boise State’s position as the top Group of 6 team provides the league a path to the Playoff.
Here’s my Power Ranking for the Top Teams in the West for Week 5.
1. Utah (1-0, 4-0) ▲1
Dominant. That’s the best way to describe Utah through the non-conference season.
The second half against Iowa State wasn’t great. But a 31-17 road win in Ames under poor field conditions and bad weather is significant.
Combined with the blowout victories over Arkansas and Utah State, the expectations for Utah are rising for a reason.
Margins of victory will be critical against the lower-tier teams in the Big 12.
2. UCLA (2-0, 4-0) ▲2
It’s time to put UCLA in the Playoff discussion. Bob Chesney has led the Bruins to a 2-0 start in Big Ten play.
Currently undefeated and looking dominant, the program’s respect is growing every week.
The spread in Maryland was just a few points. The 54-3 win provides hope, optimism, and increased expectations.
The program has officially increased its status in the realigned college football world.
3. BYU (1-0, 3-0) ▼2
The timing of BYU’s bye affects the narrative.
Other teams out West gained respectable victories, boosting the resume of its competitors.
That’s just a fact that comes with taking a week off. But the path to the Playoff has always been through winning the Big 12.
Forget the politics of securing an at-large bid. It’s a long season, and the Cougars are in the thick of the Playoff hunt.
4. Oregon (1-0, 3-1) ▲1
The decision to bring in Dylan Raiola as a backup shows Dan Lanning’s skill as a coach. It also shows the extraordinary resources Oregon has at its disposal.
The Ducks did not miss a beat with Raiola. He has experience starting in the Big Ten, and UO has much better personnel surrounding him this time.
Dante Moore’s injury could rally the team for the rest of the season.
The momentum is starting to shift in Oregon’s favor.
5. Boise State (0-0, 3-1) ▲1
Two results helped Boise State this weekend.
The clear victory over Western Michigan proved that the Broncos are the top Group of 6 team in the country. And Oregon’s road victory over USC increased the value of the close defeat in Eugene.
In a lot of ways, BSU is in the driver’s seat for a Playoff run.
But any loss in Pac-12 play would substantially damage the resume.
6. USC (1-1, 4-1) ▼3
The loss at home to Oregon shows that USC has not developed as a program under Lincoln Riley. It’s only one loss, and it doesn’t define the season.
While Dan Lanning’s UO teams have not lost a conference road game since joining the league in 2024, these Ducks seemed beatable.
The loss in the Coliseum shows the Trojans are not elite in the Big Ten.
For a program with as much tradition as USC, the last few years have not been good enough.
7. Arizona (0-1, 3-1) ▲1
Arizona carried the Big 12’s banner and planted it in Pullman.
The difference between the Power 4 and the Group of 6 is depth and special teams. The Wildcats have a strong running back rotation. And hit a 50-plus-yard field goal to seal the game.
The victory over the Cougars dropped the Pac-12 to 0-12 against the Power 4 and 0-6 against the Big 12.
Now, Conference play begins against undefeated Cincinnati.
8. Arizona State (1-0, 2-1) ▲1
Kenny Dillingham had a bye week to prepare for Baylor. The Big 12 home opener provides an opportunity to send a message.
The program’s best win is over Kansas and the loss to Texas A&M looks worse each week.
There’s no resume for ASU to point to. To build it, margins of victory become important.
A strong performance this weekend in Tempe would boost the team’s image.
9. New Mexico (0-0, 3-1) ▲1
That wasn’t even close. New Mexico went into Las Cruces and crushed New Mexico State.
The final score underlines the perception of UNM this season. Moving forward, the Mountain West schedule is favorable for the Lobos.
North Dakota State, UNLV, and Air Force all come to Albuquerque.
It’s a narrow path to the Playoff. But if New Mexico wins out, they will be in the discussion.
10. Washington (0-1, 3-1) ▼3
It’s going to be a long season in Seattle. This is not what the program should look like in Year Three.
Jedd Fisch made a mistake leaving Arizona to take the Washington job.
It’s time for the UW administration to rip the band-aid off now. The longer this process is prolonged, the worse off the program will be.
The Fisch Era in Seattle is over. It’s just a matter of time.
