Pac-12 North settled, rivalry game to determine South


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SALT LAKE CITY — As the season comes to a close, the division winners are unraveling.

Week 12 gave Stanford its key to the Pac-12 championship game, but it also stirred things up in the South. With UCLA's win over Utah, the Utes are out of the title. It now comes down to a rivalry game in the Coliseum against the Bruins and Trojans to see who will match up with the Cardinal at Levi's Stadium Dec. 5.

Here is a look at what happened in Week 12.

Arizona (6-6, 3-6 Pac-12) at Arizona State (6-5, 4-4)

Score: Arizona State 52, Arizona 37

Game recap: With a one-possession game in the last minutes, the Sun Devils' defense secured the win of this year's Territorial Cup.

Key stat: Sun Devils receiver Devin Lucien caught nine receptions for 190 yards and a touchdown.

Conference implications: Arizona State is bowl eligible. A win against Cal can improve its standings in the postseason.

After a grueling 12 weeks, the Wildcats enter their bye week — finishing their regular season play. Losing to its in-state rival is far from a good thing, but one positive Arizona can take away is that it has time to rest injured players before playing a bowl game.

Next opponent: Arizona has its bye; Arizona State travels to California.

California (6-5, 3-5) at Stanford (9-2 8-1)

Score: Stanford 35, California 22

Game recap: In dominating fashion, the Cardinal never trailed as running back Christian McCaffrey, who averaged 6.5 yards per carry, lit up the field. This marks the sixth-consecutive time Stanford has beaten Cal.

Key stat: McCaffrey pounded 192 yards on the ground, received 49 yards and a touchdown, and earned 148 kick return yards — including a 98-yard return for a touchdown.

Conference implications: With this win, Stanford is going back to the Pac-12 championship game. It's the third time in four seasons the Cardinal has sealed the Pac-12 North.

Ever since their visit to Utah, the Bears have gone downhill. They did have more passing yards than Stanford — 398 to 96 — but not being able to contain McCaffrey came back to haunt them.

Next opponent: California hosts Arizona State; Stanford hosts Notre Dame.

Colorado (4-8, 1-7) at Washington State (8-3, 6-2)

Score: Washington State 27, Colorado 3

Game recap: Colorado struggled, missing two field goals and turning the ball over. Cougars quarterback Luke Falk helped his team to victory, but suffered an injury halfway through the fourth quarter. He was carted off the field after his head slammed against the turf following a sack. Backup quarterback Peyton Bender came in and threw a 16-yard touchdown to seal the win.

Key stat: Washington State running back Gerard Wicks, who ran for 123 yards on 13 carries, became the team's first back in five seasons to break 100 yards.

Conference implications: The Cougars are within reach of a 10-win season. Having to do it without Falk, who recently created Heisman buzz, causes adversity.

Without starting quarterback Sefo Liufau, who suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury last week, the Buffs were chaotic. Backup quarterback Cade Apsay completed 65 percent of his passes, throwing two interceptions. The running game was nonexistent with 85 yards. Now it's time to face Utah for a rumble in the Rockies.

Next opponent: Colorado travels to Utah; Washington State travels to Washington.

UCLA (8-3, 5-3) at Utah (8-3, 5-3)

Score: UCLA 17, Utah 9

Game recap: In the lowest scoring Pac-12 game of the season, Utah let go of its shot at an elite postseason run. A controversial call erased what would've been the Utes' only touchdown of the day. In the end, mistakes and injuries caught up with the once third-ranked football team.

Key stat: Bruins receiver Jordan Payton reeled in seven catches for 105 yards, becoming the school's all-time leader in receptions with 194.

Conference implications: UCLA is one-half of the way done with its journey to the Pac-12 championship game. If the Bruins beat the Trojans in a rivalry game, they'll compete for the league title.

It's hard not to think of the "what ifs" of Utah's season. A few short weeks ago, the College Football Playoffs seemed like a possibility. Now, the Utes are out of the Pac-12 South title.

Next opponent: UCLA travels to USC; Utah hosts Colorado.

USC (7-4, 5-3) at Oregon (8-3, 6-2)

Score: Oregon 48, USC 28

Game recap: It's hard to beat a team that has a quarterback who throws six touchdowns to different receivers. The Trojans couldn't pull it off, but have a chance to win the division with a win over UCLA.

Key stat: Vernon Adams Jr. completed 20 of 25 passes for 407 yards with one pick and six touchdowns.

Conference implication: The Ducks won in a must-win game, hoping Cal could upset Stanford. Unfortunately for them, the Cardinal won, but Oregon's first season post Marcus Mariota isn't a disappointment.

A battle of the Los Angeles teams is set up to decide the Pac-12 South champion. USC overcame adversity to get to where it is now, so it's impressive the Trojans are where they are.

Next opponent: USC hosts UCLA; Oregon hosts Oregon State.

Washington (5-6, 3-5) at Oregon State (2-9, 0-8)

Score: Washington 52, Oregon State 7

Game recap: After the first minute of the game, when the Huskies scored their first touchdown, the game was already settled. Quarterback Jake Browning threw four more touchdowns and the Beavers didn't have any answers.

Key stat: For the second time this season, Oregon State gave up 45 points in the first half of the game.

Conference implications: Washington's postseason hopes are still alive. It has to win its last game against in-state rival Washington State to become bowl eligible.

Ouch. This game marks the third-straight game the Beavers have given up at least 40 points to their opponents. It's officially time for Oregon State to kiss a conference win this season goodbye.

Next opponent: Washington hosts Washington State; Oregon State travels to Oregon.

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