North
1. No. 3 Oregon (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12 Conference)
Having clinched the Pac-12 North in early November, the Ducks are just trying to maintain that playoff spot. Before the championship game, they have basement teams: Colorado and Oregon State.
Last week: First, Bye
This week: Saturday vs. Colorado (2-8, 0-7)
2. Washington (6-5, 2-5)
Once again we have to put a team in the second-place slot. I guess the Huskies had the most respectable loss between UW, Stanford and California, but that 2-5 Pac-12 record is brutal.
Last week: Third, L at Arizona 27-26
This week: Saturday vs. Oregon State (5-5, 2-5)
3. Stanford (5-5, 3-4)
Another week, another flip-flop between the Cardinal and Huskies. This week, Stanford gets a chance to drop even further when it visits Cal for the “Big Game.” Very creative, but at least it’s better than Harvard and Yale’s “The Game.”
Last week: Second, L vs. Utah 20-17 2OT
This week: Saturday at California (5-5, 3-5)
4. California (5-5, 3-5)
The Golden Bears made their trip to Troy close with a couple of late touchdowns but lost their 11th-in-a-row to USC. This week, they get a second shot at bowl eligibility and a chance to reclaim the Stanford Axe by chopping down the Cardinal.
Last week: Fourth, L at USC 38-30
This week: Saturday vs. Stanford (5-5, 3-4)
5. Oregon State (5-5, 2-5)
The Beavers pulled the shocker on the Sun Devils, who were No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings last week. This set off a chain reaction in the South standings, but more importantly, allowed me to put shocker and Beavers in the same blurb.
Last week: Sixth, W vs. ASU 35-27
This week: Saturday at Washington (6-5, 2-5)
6. Washington State (3-7, 2-5)
Poor Washington State; it finally escapes the cellar by beating the Beavers, but then OSU beat ASU, sending WSU back to the bottom. The Cougars have the distinction of being last in our football and basketball power rankings. Ouch.
Last week: Sixth, Bye
This week: Saturday at No. 13 ASU (8-2, 5-2)
South
1. No. 11 UCLA (8-2, 5-2)
Fun fact: the Pac-12 South has more ranked teams then even the much-loved (and seven-team) SEC West. The Bruins are in the driver’s seat and just need to win out to set up a rematch with Oregon for all the marbles.
Last week: Second, Bye
This week: Saturday vs. No. 24 USC (7-3, 6-2)
2. No. 24 USC (7-3, 6-2)
The Trojans still need help to take the division, but they got a big boost when ASU somehow lost to OSU, which had lost to WSU the week before. The Men of Troy take home the title if they win the “Crosstown Rivalry Game” (a much better name than Stanford and Cal came up with) and the Sun Devils lose to the Cougars or their archrivals.
Last week: Fourth, W vs. California 38-30
This week: Saturday at No. 11 UCLA (8-2, 5-2)
3. No. 13 ASU (8-2, 5-2)
Not only did the Sun Devils’ playoff hopes die of frostbite up in the cold of Oregon State, they actually gave the North something to brag about in the interdivision rivalry. The North is now 7-14 against their Southern masters, and ASU needs UCLA to lose to win the division.
Last week: First, L at Oregon State 35-27
This week: Saturday vs. Washington State (3-7, 2-5)
4. No. 15 Arizona (8-2, 5-2)
After an uninspiring loss at UCLA, a win over cupcake Colorado and a very close win over Washington, the Wildcats are 8-2, but will they be held to eight regular season wins? To win the South, the UA needs to win out and see UCLA lose to USC and Stanford.
Last week: Third, W vs. Washington 27-26
This week: Saturday at No. 20 Utah (7-3, 4-3)
5. No. 20 Utah (7-3, 4-3)
To make the Pac-12 title game, the Utes would need a five-team tie, which is possible, but requires Stanford beating USC, and the Cardinal is a northern team. So with that being unlikely, this week is their last chance to make noise this regular season. Watch out, Wildcats.
Last week: Fifth, W at Stanford 20-17 2OT
This week: Saturday vs. No. 15 Arizona (8-2, 5-2)
6. Colorado (2-8, 0-7)
All the other teams in the division are ranked, planning their bowl game and trying to get a spot in the championship. Meanwhile, the Buffaloes are pretty much at home sipping tea and saying, “That’s none of my business,” in reference to all this postseason talk.
Last week: Sixth, Bye
This week: Saturday at No. 3 Oregon (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12)
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