Pac-12 Gymnastics Power Rankings

1. UCLA
The Bruins are ranked first in the nation for a reason. In an important early-season conference meet against then-No. 5 Utah, UCLA had the highest team score of any team in the nation in 2013 (197.425). Senior Vanessa Zamarippa won three events in the meet against Utah, including uneven bars with a score of 9.975. The Bruins rank first in the nation in bars and on floor.

Last week: vs. Utah (W, 197.425-195.300)
This week (prediction): bye

2. Stanford
Stanford leads a tight group of second-tier teams in the Pac-12. In the first two weeks of 2013, the Cardinal have come out of a four-team meet in first place, giving them a 6-0 record on the year. Stanford’s win last Saturday was especially impressive, because half of the gymnasts had the flu, and they were still able to win the meet against two top-20 teams.

Last week: @ Arizona, with Illinois, San Jose State (1st, 196.025)
This week (prediction): @ Georgia (L)

3. Utah
Although the Utes lost their only meet this season, I can give them the benefit of the doubt. The meet was on the road against a UCLA team that had already competed this season. The Utes were ranked No. 5 preseason, and though they slipped to 15th after the UCLA meet, they still have the talent of a top-five team, and they also have the advantage of the best home crowd in the nation.

Last week: @ UCLA (L, 197.425-195.300)
This week (prediction): vs. Oregon State, West Virginia, Southern Utah (1st)

4. Arizona
The Wildcats have the third-best all-arounder in the nation, Aubree Cristello, who averages a 39.463. Though Arizona finished second and third in its two meets, the Wildcats are clearly a team on the rise, jumping up to 13th in the national rankings this week. Arizona is also one of the best teams on the uneven bars, ranking fourth in the nation.

Last week: vs. Stanford, Illinois, San Jose State (2nd, 195.850)
This week (prediction): @ Texas Woman’s University, with BYU, Wisconsin-Whitewater (1st)

5. Oregon State
Compared to the other five Pac-12 teams ranked in the top 25, the Beavers are the furthest behind after two weeks. But, this team has credibility. With seven straight appearances at the NCAA Championships, OSU’s 193.600 at the Cancun Classic can be considered a fluke, especially after scoring 195.375 last Friday. Senior Makayla Stambaugh has proven to still be a force on the floor, and is tied for 13th in the nation.

Last week: vs. Ohio State (W, 195.375-195.000)
This week (prediction): @ Utah, with West Viriginia, Southern Utah (2nd)

6. California
After an impressive win in the first meet of the season, in which Cal won over three top-25 opponents (Auburn, Kentucky, Arizona), the Golden Bears underachieved, only registering a 194.575 against UC Davis. An undefeated record, and a jump from unranked to No. 17, might make Cal a little bit overrated. The Golden Bears face a road test this week at Washington.

Last week: vs. UC Davis (W, 194.575-192.425)
This week (prediction): @ Washington, with Illinois-Chicago, UC Davis (2nd)

7. Washington
The Huskies dropped out of the top 25 this week after posting just a 193.500 in their first meet, at Minnesota. Like the Beavers, it was the case of a good team having a poor debut. Unlike OSU though, Washington has only had its first ugly meet to look at. The Huskies barely missed out on an appearance at nationals last year, and will have to rebound big this weekend.

Last week: @ Minnesota (L, 195.550-193.500)
This week (prediction): vs. Cal, Illinois-Chicago, UC Davis (1st)

8. Arizona State
The Sun Devils are not a bad team, but when the Pac-12 has six of eight teams in the top 25, ASU has to come in at eighth. With a chance to make a splash last week with No. 4 Oklahoma visiting Tempe, Ariz., the Sun Devils did not deliver. To be fair, 20 of ASU’s 23 lineup spots were filled with underclassmen.

Last week: vs. Oklahoma (L, 196.700-193.625)
This week: vs. @ Sacramento State, with San Jose State (1st)