USC is rising with a bullet under interim coach Clay Helton while California's 5-0 start is looking more like a mirage.
Here are the Week 9 power rankings:
1. Stanford (6-1, 5-0 in Pac-12)
Christian McCaffrey continues as the nation's leader in all-purpose yards and is a Heisman Trophy contender for the Cardinal, which moves up one to take over the top spot off their sixth straight win (31-14 over Washington). Up next: Saturday at Washington State.
2. USC (4-3, 2-2)
Climbing three spots after a 42-24 win over previously undefeated Utah, the Trojans remain on the fast track, up from No.