College Football Playoff: Where we are halfway through the season
Sep 26, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Utah Utes running back A.J. Semeatu (21) runs the ball against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Pacific 12 (Pac-12)
AP ranked teams: Utah (4), Stanford (15), UCLA (18), Cal (23)
Undefeated teams: Utah (5-0)
Divisions: North vs. South
Division leaders:
North: 1. Stanford (3-0 in conference) 2. Cal (2-1 in conference)
South: 1. Utah (2-0 in conference) 2. Arizona State (2-1 in conference)
Basically everyone saw this coming from Utah, right? That halfway through the season they would be the only undefeated Pac-12 team? Pre-season favorites USC and Oregon are each 1-2 in the conference. Another preseason favorite was Arizona State and they already have two losses, as well. It seems the conference playoff fate lies in the hands of Utah, Stanford and UCLA. There are way too many games left to say so definitely, but those three are sitting prettiest at the moment.
Stanford plays UCLA this week and then Notre Dame in the last week of the season. UCLA plays Utah on November 21st. I expect the Pac-12 to beat up on each other some more and just one team will come out of the Pac-12.
Last week’s playoff relevant results
Washington 17, No. 17 USC 12: USC is a program in shambles right now. They have just fired their coach and have lost two games already. This result more or less put USC out of playoff contention and helped MSU.
No. 5 Utah 30, No. 23 Cal 24: Utah was able to take care of business in what might be one of the last tough tests it faces. It was a pretty ugly win in which they needed six turnovers to win by just six points. They got the job done and that’s all they’ll have to do from now on to get a playoff spot. This was a result that could have helped MSU and then it didn’t.
Key Conference Games This Week
- No. 18 UCLA at No. 15 Stanford
- USC at No. 14 Notre Dame
- Arizona State at No. 4 Utah
Next: SEC