Here's the latest on the conference's top players who are projected to star on Sundays. 

1. RB Johnathan Franklin, 5-11, 195, UCLA

Why he has the top spot: Franklin leads the nation in rushing (180.3 ypg) and has been mostly unstoppable through three games this season. The senior running back has gone for more than 200 yards twice and already has eight catches, two off of his career-high set in 2010. 

Season stats (three games): 66 carries for 541 yards and three TDs rushing; eight catches for 121 yards and a TD. 

Player ranking: Franklin is ranked 155th overall and is the 13th highest running back in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings. Franklin's draft stock has shot up up since the beginning of the season when he was ranked in the mid-200's overall. 

Up next: No. 19 UCLA hosts Oregon State on Saturday in a nationally televised Pac-12 showdown (ABC/ESPN2). Oregon State has only played one game, but in that one game they limited Wisconsin star running back Montee Ball to just 61 yards. It was Ball's lowest output since October 2012. 

2. LB Chase Thomas, 6-4, 248, Stanford

Why he has the second spot: Thomas played one of the key defensive roles in Stanford's 21-14 upset of USC on Saturday. With the Cardinal clinging to a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter, Thomas sacked USC quarterback Matt Barkley for a 6-yard loss. Thomas recorded seven tackles in the game, tying a team-high. 

Season stats (three games): 19 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four TFLs. 

Player ranking: Thomas is ranked 65th overall and is the fifth highest outside linebacker in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings. 

Up next: No. 9 Stanford travels to Washington on Sept. 27 for a Thursday night showdown with the Huskies. The Stanford defense can't afford a post-USC letdown as they'll being going up against a formidable Washington offense led by quarterback Keith Price. 

3. QB Matt Scott, 6-3, 197, Arizona

Why he has the third spot: Scott's emergence has been one of the biggest surprises in the Pac-12 so far this season. In the Wildcats' biggest game to date, the senior quarterback threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns in a Week-2 win over then-No. 18 Oklahoma State. Scott also rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown in the game. In a 56-0 blowout win over FCS South Carolina State on Saturday, Scott threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Thanks in large part to Scott, Arizona ranks fourth in the nation in total offense with 604.7 ypg. 

Season stats (three games): 88 of 123 for 995 yards, seven TDs and an INT; 42 carries for 190 yards and two TDs. 

Player ranking: Scott is ranked 206th overall and is the 14th highest QB in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings. Scott's ranking is pretty impressive when you consider that before the season started, he was unranked and more or less off the NFL Draft radar. 

Up next: No. 22 Arizona travels to Eugene for a showdown with No. 3 Oregon. Arizona has averaged 46.3 points per game this season, which ranks 12th in the nation, but Scott and the Wildcats offense might need to put up more points than that going up against an Oregon team that scores 54 ponits per game. 

Keep an eye on: WR Marquess Wilson, 6-4, 185, Washington State

Why you should watch him: Wilson, a CBSSports.com preseason All-American, finally had his breakout game in 2012. Against UNLV on Friday, Wilson caught five passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns, including an 81-yarder. 

Season stats: 13 catches, 218 yards and 2 TDs. 

Player ranking: Wilson is ranked 72nd overall and is the seventh highest WR in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings. 

Up next: Washington State hosts Pac-12 doormat Colorado. Wilson will once again have a chance to put up big numbers this week against a Colorado team that surrendered 377 yards passing in a 69-14 loss to Fresno State on Saturday. 

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