Finally, a weekend went the way it was supposed to. Very little movement in this week’s power rankings, but check out the top: Oregon and USC are tied for first, and their showdown this weekend should be one for the ages.

1a. Oregon (6-1, 4-0 Pacific 10 Conference)  

Last week: No. 2

The Ducks are mere percentage points ahead of USC in this weeks rankings (that is, if we used percentages), but both are ranked No. 1. Oregon is flat-out on fire. They dismantled Washington at Washington, something that no conference team has been able to do this season. If Oregon beats USC this weekend, the conference is theirs.

1b. USC (6-1, 3-1 Pac-10)   Last Week: No. 1

Definitely not the revenge-fueled blowout the Trojans were looking for, but I’m sure head coach Pete Carroll will take the win. Despite the questions that have surrounded the Trojans this year, they’ve been one of the nation’s elite teams (minus the Washington game). As for the Oregon matchup, if USC wins, the conference belongs to them. One quick observation: USC’s wide receiver and punt returner Damian Williams is a freak athlete.

3. Arizona (5-2, 3-1 Pac-10)   Last Week: No. 3

The Wildcats have been a balancing act this season. One week the defense struggles but the offense picks it up, and the next week it is the opposite. Arizona has a bye this week, and it comes at a perfect time. The Wildcats can spend the week getting healthy, then spend next week working out the kinks against conference doormat Washington State before they enter the toughest stretch of the season: at California, against Oregon, at Arizona State and at USC.

4. Stanford (5-3, 4-2 Pac-10)   Last Week: No. 4

The Cardinal might have saved its season in its 33-14 blowout victory over ASU. Running back Toby Gerhart continued his monstrous season, rushing for 125 yards, and the defense answered the call after getting embarrassed by Arizona a week ago. Stanford has a bye this week then welcomes Oregon to Palo Alto, Calif.

5. California (5-2, 2-2 Pac-10)   Last Week: No. 5

After losing back-to-back games to Oregon and USC, Cal did what it had to do by feasting on UCLA two weekends ago and Washington State last weekend. The Bears will beat Arizona State this weekend, then it’s back to the grind with games against Oregon State and Arizona. Oregon, USC and Arizona are at the top of the conference right now, but the once-left-for-dead Bears might end up sneaking into the top three.

6. OSU (4-3, 2-2 Pac-10)   Last Week: No. 6

A loss is a loss, and anyone who believes in moral victories is lying to themselves, but the Beavers can’t be too upset with the way they played in Southern California. Making one of the Pac-10 top bowls at this point might be out of the question, but Oregon State will be playing in December and could very easily upset a team like Cal or Oregon down the line.

7. ASU (4-3, 2-2 Pac-10)   Last Week: No. 7

ASU really needed to beat Stanford last week, but the Sun Devils didn’t even show up. The offense is putrid and the defense is talented, but the team has managed to win some decent games. However, by staying at four wins this week the Sun Devils have put themselves in a hole — they’ll need to pull off at least one major upset to get the two wins necessary to get to a bowl with a remaining schedule of California, USC, at Oregon, at UCLA and Arizona.

8. Washington  (3-5, 2-3 Pac-10)   Last Week: No. 8

I think Oregon just put its thumb on the top of the straw that the Huskies were using to breathe. Things were looking so good for Washington after beating USC and Arizona, but the lack of talent and depth is starting to become apparent. The Huskies can very easily win six games this season, but I think at this point the focus should be preparation for next year. That starts with bringing Jake Locker back for his senior season.

9. UCLA (3-4, 0-4 Pac-10)    Last Week: No. 9

It’s hard to win games with such an underperforming offense. The Bruins used two quarterbacks against Arizona, but it wouldn’t be that surprising if you couldn’t tell from the Zona Zoo ­— neither of them did anything. It’s mind blowing, to me at least, that a team with coaches like Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow can’t score points.

10. WSU (1-6, 0-5 Pac-10)  

Last Week: No. 10

Give them credit, they fight hard.