PAC-12 Power Rankings: Week 2

Sep 6, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Nelson Agholor (15) is pursued by Stanford Cardinal linebacker Blake Martinez (4) and safety Jordan Richards (8) at Stanford Stadium. USC defeated Stanford 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2. USC

Last week USC ranked fourth on this list, and I said that their match-up with Stanford would relieve some confusion about their status as realistic conference threats. I was wrong. By beating the Cardinal in Palo Alto, the Trojans have leaped to the high rungs of the PAC-12 ladder, but the question on many peoples minds remains: Did USC beat Stanford, or did Stanford beat themselves? At times, the Trojans defense was awful — allowing all nine of Stanford’s drives reach the 32 yard line, and five to make it into the red zone. Somehow, someway, David Shaw, and his team headed by quarterback Kevin Hogan, managed only 10 points. Let that soak in. Let the atrocious offense, plagued by the bland play calling of David Shaw and his coaching staff, and perpetuated by a team comprised of players and personell that fit his smash mouth, up the gut style of football less than in years pass, soak in. Nonetheless, credit where credit is due. The Trojans defense, when pinned against their own end zone, got the job done — even without star linebacker Hayes Pullard ejected from the game. Halfback Buck Allen, quarterback Kody Kessler, Nelson Agholar, and an offensive line that entered the season with many entertaining them as a possible weakness of this team, also impressed in their 13-10 up north.