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2024 Week 8 SuperWest Football Top 10 Power Rankings

Madoc Meredith October 20, 2024

Posted on October 14, 2024



  By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports

TThere’s nothing better than college football here.

The Oregon vs. Ohio State matchup has been buzzing since the offseason and the game did not disappoint. It was one of the greatest victories in program history.

But if you look at the rest of the teams on the West Coast, it was a pretty ugly weekend.

Utah’s demise was sealed by Arizona State, Washington was crushed by Iowa, and California lost again.

Here’s how I see the top 10 teams in the West heading into week eight.

Oregon Ducks Logo Pac-12

1. Oregon (3-0, 6-0) ◄►

WSuch events are the reason Oregon joined the Big Ten.

The Ducks have struggled to reach the proverbial “next level,” but may have finally gotten there. With strong offensive and defensive lines, UO is prepared to succeed in its new league.

In the future, the main thing is to maintain the elite level.

2. BYU (3-0, 6-0) ◄►

TThe Cougars dominated Arizona in Provo. BYU’s defense forced several turnovers and the offense took advantage of short fields.

BYU sits atop the Big 12 and is in position to make the playoffs.

The program’s progress in the conference’s second year is impressive.

3. Boise State (2-0, 5-1) ▲1

IIt was a business trip to the Hawaiian Islands. The Broncos did what they had to do and walked away with a win.

Ashton Jeanty remains the favorite to win the Heisman and the excitement around the team continues to grow.

In some ways, Boise State’s success is tied to Oregon’s, putting the Broncos in a good position to make the playoffs.

4. Arizona State (2-1, 5-1) ▲4

KEnny Dillingham secured the first win of his coaching career.

Arizona State’s first victory over a top-25 team since the 2022 season came on a national stage.

With a 2-1 record in Big 12 play, an automatic bid to the playoffs is still possible.

5. UNLV (2-0, 5-1) ▲2

TThe Rebels made a statement in the first half against Utah State.

With a 41-7 lead, the aftermath of the Syracuse loss was quickly overcome.

UNLV faces Oregon State on the road this week and has an opportunity to get back on track for a shot at the playoffs.

6. Washington State (5-1) ▲3

IIt may not have been pretty, but Washington State got the job done on the road against Fresno State.

It’s victories like these that move programs forward.

A defeat would have been a catastrophe and the “W” still has a chance of making it to the playoffs.

7. Utah (1-2, 4-2) ▼4

IIf Utah didn’t already know the dynasty was over, the loss on the road to Arizona State was the final word.

It’s not just that the Utes lost. That’s how they lost.

It looked like Cam Rising was going to retire from football for medical reasons, and the defense lost its identity.

USC logo

8. USC (1-3, 3-3) ▼3

LIncoln Riley is officially in the hot seat.

The playbook for success in the Big Ten includes strong lines on both sides of the ball. But USC has struggled in this regard for years.

The Trojans will underperform until they fix these issues or hire a new coach.

9. Colorado (2-1, 4-2) ▼3

IInjuries have become a problem for Colorado.

But even with several key players out, the Buffs still have the strength to compete in the Big 12. This is a testament to Coach Prime’s recruiting and shows the strength of the program.

Still, CU should have found a way to beat Kansas State.

10. California (0-3, 3-3) ▲NO

TThe Bears failed on the road against Pitt. But there probably isn’t a better 3-3 team in the country than Cal.

Justin Wilcox is just a few plays away from 6-0 and has the personnel to turn the season around.

California’s three losses were by a combined eight points, and the program is on the verge of defeat.

Miller covers college basketball and college football, as well as Formula One racing, as a senior writer and associate editor for SuperWest Sports.

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