SALT LAKE CITY — Every game matters in conference play, especially when competing against division rivals. That proved to be true once again this weekend.

Utah’s thumping of USC and Colorado losing to Washington shuffled the South’s standings. Meanwhile up north, Washington State beat Oregon to bump the Ducks down in the standings and put itself next to in-state rival Washington to top the division.

Here’s a look at how the Pac-12 performed in Week 8.

Arizona (3-5, 2-3 Pac-12) at UCLA (2-5, 2-2)

Score: UCLA 31, Arizona 30

Game recap: UCLA led 17-7 at halftime thanks to a pair of Arizona turnovers in the first half. The game’s second half was a tale of lead changes. The Wildcats scored 13-straight points to take a 20-17 lead. Then the Bruins scored on a 25-yard pass to go ahead. But the Wildcats answered with a 1-yard rushing score to retake the lead. A minute later, UCLA ran 28 yards for their final score of the night, which would eventually win the game.

Key stat: UCLA running back Joshua Kelley ran for 136 yards on 31 carries, rushing more than 100 yards for the fourth-straight game.

Conference implication: As weird as it seems, don’t completely rule out UCLA for the South title. The Bruins are one of four teams with only two conference losses. A win against Utah next week would be a big deal for the Bruins.

Arizona played better than last week, but this is the third loss the Wildcats have lost by five points or less this season. It’s another learning experience for this young team.

Next opponent: UCLA hosts Utah on Friday. Arizona hosts Oregon on Saturday.

Score: Stanford 20, Arizona State 13

Game recap: Arizona State was held to just 3 points from a 34-yard field goal in the first half, while Stanford was held to a pair of field goals for a 3-point lead heading into halftime. The Cardinal came out in the third quarter taking control with two long scoring drives to separate itself from the Sun Devils. Down by 7 with 2:20 left in the game, Arizona State got the ball back in hopes to tie the score on its own 15-yard line but couldn’t convert once the team was close to the end zone.

Key stat: The Sun Devils turned the ball over three times.

Conference implication: Stanford avoided a three-game losing streak with the win, giving them a case to continue fighting for the North. The next two games against Washington State and Washington are must wins for the Cardinal.

With only three wins, Arizona State needs to win three of its last five games to become bowl eligible. The Sun Devils’ schedule includes visits to USC and Oregon so it won’t come easy.

Next opponent: Stanford hosts Washington State on Saturday. Arizona State travels to USC on Saturday.

Score: California 49, Oregon State 7

Game recap: California had a 21-0 lead at halftime. At the end of the third quarter, Oregon State got on the board to avoid a shutout. The Beavers simply couldn’t overcome the deficit as quarterback Conor Blount left the game with a concussion in the first half. The third-string quarterback was forced to come on the field because Oregon State’s backup was unavailable due to a high ankle sprain.

Key stat: California running back Patrick Laird ran for 193 yards and two touchdowns and scored on a 29-yard pass.

Conference implication: California finally won a conference game on the road, its first since 2015 when they beat Washington. Though the Bears aren’t in contention for the division title, they can become bowl eligible if they win two more games.

It’s another long season for Oregon State. It doesn’t help the team when multiple quarterbacks are injured.

Next opponent: California hosts Washington on Saturday. Oregon State travels to Colorado on Saturday.

Score: Washington 27, Colorado 13

Game recap: With a close game in the first half, Washington held a 14-13 lead at halftime. The Buffs couldn’t score any points in the game’s latter half. The Huskies clinched the win by converting on fourth-and-5 for a 26-yard touchdown. Colorado was intercepted on the next possession, setting up a Washington field goal.

Key stat: Colorado was held to 86 total offensive yards in the second half.

Conference implication: Washington is still in the mix for the North, but in-state rival Washington State is not far behind. The Huskies have yet to play Stanford and Washington State. Both games will help decide the division.

Once owning the lead of the South, Colorado doesn’t have quite as dominant of a lead. The Buffs are behind USC and Utah, both tied for first with Utah having the tie breaker. The Buffs’ game against the Utes in mid-November will be important.

Next opponent: Washington travels to California on Saturday. Colorado hosts Oregon State on Saturday.

No. 12 Oregon (5-2, 2-2) at No. 25 Washington State (6-1, 3-1)

Score: Washington State 34, Oregon 20

Game recap: Down 27-0 at the half, Oregon came within a touchdown thanks to a 23-yard field goal with 6:38 left in the game. Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew completed an 11-yard pass on fourth-and-6, setting up a touchdown two plays later to secure the win.

Key stat: Minshew finished 39-of-51 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns.

Conference implication: Washington State’s win marks a four-game win streak against Oregon, the program’s longest since the 1980s. The Cougars are steady and the North Division title is in sight. They still have road matchups against Stanford and Colorado, plus a date with Washington, to end the regular season.

Oregon came into this game on a high after beating Washington at home in overtime. This week, though, the Ducks were weak in the first half and couldn’t overcome a large deficit. Both of their losses are against division rivals, so the Ducks need some help if they hope to be in talks of winning the North.

Next opponent: Washington State travels to Stanford on Saturday. Oregon travels to Arizona on Saturday.

USC (4-3, 3-2) at Utah (5-2, 3-2)

Score: Utah 41, USC 28

Game recap: USC was up 14-0 early, but Utah scored 34 unanswered points to reel in a crucial win. The Utes’ victory was in sight after quarterback Tyler Huntley threw touchdowns of 27 yards and 11 yards in the third quarter to extend their lead.

Key stat: USC was 0 for 10 on third down through three quarters and totaled just 205 offensive yards.

Conference implication: This Utah team could very well be special. After three-straight games of scoring at least 40 points, the Utes are atop the division standings with USC and Colorado shortly behind. The defense has a reputation of being the strength of the team, but now Huntley and Co. are flourishing on offense, too.

USC capitalized on some broken plays but struggled to move the chains against Utah’s defense. Quarterback JT Daniels left the game late with a head injury. But before leaving, the passing game had its woes and the running backs couldn’t gain on the ground.

Next opponent: Utah travels to UCLA on Friday. USC hosts Arizona State on Saturday.

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