The Utes and Ducks will battle Friday for a spot in the Rose Bowl.
1. Utah (9-3, 8-1)
Last week: 1
Result: Beat Colorado 28-13
Next up: vs. Oregon (Friday, 6 p.m., Ch. 9)
Line: Utah -3
Comment: In addition to being healthier overall than Oregon, the Utes have the benefit of a full week to prepare after playing their regular-season finale on Friday. Decisive advantage? No. Significant advantage? Yes, particularly given Utah’s physical style.
2. Oregon (10-2, 7-2)
Last week: 2
Result: Beat Oregon State 38-29
Next up: vs. Utah (Friday, 6 p.m., Ch. 9)
Line: Oregon +3
Comment: The Ducks are staring at the potential for back-to-back rematches. Win this week, and they would likely draw Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.
3. Washington State (7-5, 6-3)
Last week: 3
Result: Won at Washington 40-13
Next up: bowl game
Comment: Not sure this is accurate but it sure sounds reasonable: WSU’s rushing total Friday night (209 yards) was more than the Cougars gained on the ground in the eight Apple Cups combined under Mike Leach. (We have no plans to confirm the stat, for fear that it might be proven false.)
4. Arizona State (8-4, 6-3)
Last week: 5
Result: Beat Arizona 38-15
Next up: bowl game
Comment: Two things, equally true: 8-4 is a successful season for the ASU program; the combined record of the eight teams ASU beat is 27-67, with only one (UCLA) over .500.
5. Oregon State (7-5, 5-4)
Last week: 4
Result: Lost at Oregon 38-29
Next up: bowl game
Comment: As improved as the Beavers were this season, they went 1-4 on the road in conference play and allowed 145 points in those four losses. That’s the next step: learn to win on the road.
6. UCLA (8-4, 6-3)
Last week: 6
Result: Beat Cal 42-14
Next up: bowl game
Comment: If you believe the Bruins are headed in the right direction under Chip Kelly but need a new defensive coordinator, the result Saturday night was a tad less than ideal.
7. USC (4-7, 3-5)
Last week: 8
Result: Lost to BYU 35-31
Next up: at Cal (9 p.m., FS1)
Line: USC +2.5
Comment: There is no more present. The future is everything. It’s the only thing.
USC’s loss to BYU on Saturday night already seemed like a distant memory after the Trojans lured Lincoln Riley away from Oklahoma on Sunday.
8. Cal (4-7, 3-5)
Last week: 7
Result: Lost at UCLA 42-14
Next up: vs. USC (9 p.m., FS1)
Line: Cal -2.5
Comment: The Bears scored fewer points in the Rose Bowl than Colorado scored on its visit — fewer points, in fact, than anybody save Hawaii. It’s not easy to make UCLA’s defense look good, but Cal managed.
9. Colorado (4-8, 3-6)
Last week: 9
Result: Lost at Utah 28-13
Next up: season completed
Comment: CU coach Karl Dorrell wasted no time initiating staff changes: Offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini was fired on Sunday. More could come.
10. Washington (4-8, 3-6)
Last week: 10
Result: Lost to WSU 40-13
Next up: season completed
Comment: WSU’s flag planting celebration was only the third or fourth most embarrassing thing to happen to UW in its home stadium this season, which says so much about this season.
11. Arizona (1-11, 1-8)
Last week: 11
Result: Lost at ASU 38-15
Next up: season completed
Comment: The Wildcats are dead last in major college football in touchdown conversion percentage inside the red zone, and by a wide margin. It was a huge problem Saturday, before the game turned lopsided.
12. Stanford (3-9, 2-7)
Last week: 12
Result: Lost to Notre Dame 45-14
Next up: season completed
Comment: Combined points in four November games: Stanford 46, opponents 173. Add a seven-game losing streak, and that’s plenty good enough for the cellar.
