Conference Title Chase Updates Week 9: PAC-12

Still In It North: Stanford, Washington, Washington State
Stanford: The Cardinal are now in a playoff minded mode in conference play, as their November run starts out with a tough contest against Washington State, and they may have to go into this game without Bryce Love, who has been battling injury. If Love cannot go, I don't like their chances here. Stanford then gets a date with Washington to hold on either way.

Washington: It's a win or go home month for the Huskies, as they wish that they could get that trip to Tempe back that resulted in a loss that has them fighting for their lives moving into the final month. The Huskies start the final month off with a date against Oregon, then comes Stanford in what will be a must win contest. Tough games with Utah and Washington State still remain, and the Apple Cup could be for the all the marbles in the division.

Washington State: The Cougars are in survival mode, and if they get Stanford without Bryce Love this week, the Cougars could set themselves up nicely by winning out and getting Washington in the season finale with a shot at winning the division. Utah is a sandwich game in between Stanford and Washington, so there is no cake walk to be had to finish the season.

Still In It South: USC, Arizona, Arizona State
USC: Even at 7-2, this season has been a massive letdown for the Trojans. Sam Darnold has slid in his ability, turnovers have been a plague, and the Trojans are barely better than their schedule. This week is the be all for them, as they must beat Arizona to stay alive in the South race, even with winnable games against Colorado and UCLA remaining after that, they simply must win this week.

Arizona: If Arizona can beat USC this week, and hang on to win out against Oregon State, Oregon, and Arizona State, the Wildcats will have a shot to win their first ever conference title in the PAC-8, PAC-10, or PAC-12, as the Wildcats have never won an outright title since leaving the WAC after the 1977 season. A win over USC this week puts them in complete control of their destiny.

Arizona State: The Sun Devils are barely hanging on. They need USC to lose twice, and then would need to beat Arizona in the season finale, all while beating Colorado, UCLA, and Oregon State. It's a tall order, but they are not out of it just yet.