North
1. No. 5 Oregon (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12 Conference)
The Ducks found a final solution to their so-called “Stanford problem” with a blowout win last week. With a two-game lead over the Cardinal and three games to go, Oregon has pretty much clinched the North.
Last week: First, W vs. Stanford 45-16
This week: Saturday at No. 20 Utah (6-2, 3-2)
2. Washington (6-3, 2-3)
Someone has to be second, so the Huskies move up. After losing two in a row, U-Dub got back in the win column with a dose of vitamin CU, beating up on hapless Colorado.
Last week: Third, W at Colorado 38-23
This week: Saturday vs. No. 18 UCLA (7-2, 4-2)
3. Stanford (5-4, 3-3)
At 5-4, the Cardinal won’t make it to a fourth straight major bowl unless Oregon somehow collapses and it sneaks in and wins the Pac-12 championship game. Instead, it’s fighting for a bowl berth.
Last week: Second, L at Oregon 45-16
This week: Bye
4. California (5-4, 3-4)
The Golden Bears, 1-11 last year, moved toward the top of the Pac-12 and toward a bowl game by beating Oregon State. Cal needs another win, though, and has USC, Stanford and BYU left.
Last week: Fifth, W at Oregon State, 45-31
This week: Bye
5. Oregon State (4-4, 1-4)
After starting the season 3-0, the Beavers are in danger of missing a bowl after losing four of five and three in a row. In fact, OSU is in danger of slipping in Washington State territory — well, if they didn’t play the Cougars this week.
Last week: Fourth, L vs. California 45-31
This week: Saturday vs. Washington State (2-7, 1-5)
6. Washington State (2-7, 1-5)
Since beating Arizona last November, the Cougars have lost nine games, but on Saturday, they lost something more. The one-man team lost its star, Connor Halliday, the nation’s best passer, to a broken leg.
Last week: Sixth, L vs. USC 44-17
This week: Saturday at Oregon State (4-4, 1-4)
South
1. No. 11 ASU (7-1, 5-1)
Every week, the South gets harder to rank. (Maybe this underpaid reporter should get a raise.) Anyway, the Sun Devils moved to the top of division and would get into the playoff talk by beating Notre Dame.
Last week: Third, W vs. Utah 19-16 OT
This week: Saturday vs. No. 8 Notre Dame (7-1)
2. UCLA (7-2, 4-2)
After disappointing for most of the year, the Bruins picked up another quality win by beating Arizona and getting a leg up in the South. Still, they’ve really only impressed against the Arizona schools, and other than those two games, they look average.
Last week: Fourth, W vs. Arizona 17-7
This week: Saturday at Washington (6-3, 2-3)
3. No. 21 Arizona (6-2, 3-2)
After the Wildcats moved into the top 10, they promptly lost, and after moving back up, lost again. Will they recover again or drop out of the rankings entirely?
Last week: First, L at UCLA 17-7
This week: Saturday vs. Colorado (2-7, 0-6)
4. Utah (6-2, 3-2)
The Utes couldn’t get over the hump at ASU. This week, they have a chance to take down another big boy, though, as Oregon comes to town.
Last week: Second, L at ASU 19-16 OT
This week: Saturday vs. Oregon (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12)
5. USC (6-3, 5-2)
While all the other Pac-12 South contenders played each other last week, the Trojans got to beat up on Washington State. This week, the competition gets a bit tougher before they face UCLA and Notre Dame to close the season.
Last week: Fourth, W at Washington State 44-17
This week: Bye
6. Colorado (2-7, 0-6)
The last time the Buffaloes came to Tucson for a Homecoming game, Ka’Deem Carey ran for 366 yards. Will another Wildcat go HAM? Probably not; the Buffaloes are better now than in 2012 but still not better enough to get a Pac-12 win. They’ll likely finish 0-9.
Last week: Sixth, L vs. Washington State 38-23
This week: Saturday at Arizona (6-2, 3-2)
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