North
1. No. 2 Oregon (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12 Conference)
Like Arizona, the Ducks also had a bye week before the prime-time game Thursday. Unlike the Wildcats, Oregon, which gained ground on No. 1 Florida State in the AP poll but lost some to No. 3 Alabama, is trying to hold on to a playoff spot.
Last week: First, Bye
This week: Thursday vs. Arizona (4-0, 1-0)
2. No. 14 Stanford (3-1, 1-1)
The Cardinal’s offense had more turnovers (three) than touchdowns (two) at Washington but it’s tough to win in Seattle. This week, Stanford travels to honorary Pac-12 team Notre Dame in the Fighting Irish’s first game of three against the Pac-12.
Last week: Second, W at Washington 20-13
This week: Saturday at No. 9 Notre Dame
3. Washington (4-1, 0-1)
The Huskies nearly beat Stanford at home and the way the Cardinal’s offense was playing may have blown it with an ill-advised fourth quarter fake punt. Stanford got a short field and scored the game-winning touchdown. What could have been for the Huskies.
Last week: Fourth, L vs. Stanford 20-13
This week: Bye
4. Oregon State (3-1, 0-1)
The Beavers got pounded at USC but they were very much in the game until a Trojan Hail at the end of the first half. Including the Hail Mary, USC scored 21 answered points to turn a 14-10 game into a rout. The Beavers need to avoid another pounding this week.
Last week: third, L at USC 35-10
This week: Saturday at Colorado (2-3, 0-2)
5. California (3-1, 1-1)
Unlike the Beavers, the Golden Bears recovered from both the Hail Mary they suffered and Colorado tying the game late to win their first Pac-12 game since October 2012. The only reason Cal didn’t move up is that win came against CU, which has only beaten one Pac-12 since September 2012: Cal last season.
Last week: fifth, W vs. Colorado 59-56 (2 OT)
This week: Saturday at Washington State (2-3, 1-1)
6. Washington State
Last week, the Cougars mounted a furious rally to beat Utah on the road, overcoming a 17-point halftime deficit. This week, we’ll learn a lot about the Pac-12 North when they host Cal.
Last week: Sixth, W at Utah 28-27
This week: Saturday vs. California
South
1. No. 8 UCLA (4-0, 1-0)
The Bruins finally looked like a potential playoff team last week when they forked ASU in Tempe, Ariz. The Sun Devils were missing their best player, Taylor Kelly, but he probably wouldn’t have made much of a difference.
Last week: First, W at No. 15 ASU 62-27
This week: Saturday vs. Utah (3-1, 1-0)
2. No. 16 USC (3-1, 2-0)
The Trojans rebounded from their embarrassing loss to Boston College, which fell at home last week to mid-major Colorado State, with a pounding of the OSU Beavers. This week, USC can bury ASU and reestablish itself as a Pac-12 favorite.
Last week: Second, W 35-10 vs. Oregon State
This week: Saturday vs. ASU (3-1, 1-1)
3. Arizona
For the second straight season, the Wildcats head to the Northwest undefeated early in the season. Only this time, Arizona is 4-0, not 3-0 and Oregon’s much better than No. 16 Washington was last year.
Last week: Third, Bye
This week: Thursday at Oregon
4. Arizona State
After being inexplicably ranked by the AP voters for weeks, last Thursday the Sun Devils were exposed on national TV. ASU actually moved up though because Utah had a worse game.
Last week: Fifth, L vs. UCLA 62-27
This week: Saturday at USC
5. Utah
Last week was a rough one for the Utes as they blew a 21-0 lead at home to cellar-dweller Washington State. Also, their win at Michigan lost much of its luster after the Wolverines lost at home to 30-14 to Minnesota.
Last week: Fourth, L vs. Washington State 28-27
This week: Saturday @ UCLA
6. Colorado
The Buffaloes are always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Now in their fourth season in the Pac-12, Colorado has only won four league games in that span, and one was against fellow Pac-12 rookie Utah in 2011.
Last week: L @ California 59-56 (2 OT)
This week: Saturday vs. Oregon State
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Follow James Kelley on Twitter @jameskelley520
