Pac-12 Week 13 Power Rankings: Washington To Face Utah In Championship Game

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Washington Huskies pulled out a big win over No. 8 Washington State in a blizzard in Pullman and clinched the north division.

They will face Utah in the Pac-12 Championship game on Friday in Santa Clara, California.

The Pac-12 will send seven teams to bowl games. There could have been three more teams to reach bowl eligibility but lost their regular season finale.

Here’s how the Pac-12 schools did in the 13th and final week of the regular season. Teams are listed by division, in order of their KSL Sports Power Ranking.

NORTH

1. No. 16 Washington (9-3, 7-2)

Result: Defeated No. 8 Washington State 28-15 on the road.

Recap: In basically a blizzard and with the north division on the line, the Huskies went to Pullman and beat Washington State to win the Apple Cup and punch their ticket to the Pac-12 championship game. Running back Myles Gaskin scored two of his three rushing touchdowns in the first half. He finished with 170 yards on the ground.

The Cougars answered with a rushing touchdown from running back James Williams to trail 14-7 at halftime. A trick play from wide receiver Aaron Fuller throwing a touchdown to Hunter Bryant gave the Huskies a two-touchdown lead. Washington State responded with a defensive PAT conversion and a touchdown to trim the lead to just five points. With 12:30 left in the game, Gaskin ran in an 80-yard touchdown to seal the win and division for Washington.

Previous ranking: 2

Next up: Pac-12 Championship game against No. 17 Utah, Friday at 6 p.m. on FOX.

 

Come sun, rain or snow. #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/Geg0WgrjZg

— Washington Football (@UW_Football) November 25, 2018

2. No. 8 Washington State (10-2, 7-2)

Result: Lost to No. 16 Washington 28-15 at home.

Recap: The Cougars couldn’t dig themselves from a 20-7 hole in the third quarter but pulled within five points before Washington running back Myles Gaskin scored an 80-yard touchdown. Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew threw for just 152 yards, 0 touchdowns and two interceptions. They relied on the running game as James Williams had 65 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Washington snapped the Cougars 7-game winning streak while taking the Apple Cup.

Previous ranking: 1

Next up: They will find out their bowl game on Sunday.

 

We love our fans! Sticking it out through the cold. #GoCougs #AppleCup #SnowBowl pic.twitter.com/R9pd3Y6EdE

— WSU Cougar Football (@WSUCougFB) November 24, 2018

3. Oregon (8-4, 5-4)

Result: Defeated Oregon State 55-15 on the road.

Recap: It was all about the running backs in the Civil War as Oregon running back scored three touchdowns in the first half and Oregon was ahead 21-3 at halftime. Tailback Travis Dye added two touchdowns in the second half along with an interception return from a touchdown as the Ducks dominated the Beavers. Oregon lost quarterback Justin Herbert to injury but Dye and Verdell stepped up. Dye ran for 199 yards and two touchdowns and Verdell had 187 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Previous ranking: 3

Next up: They will find out their bowl game on Sunday.

 

Not a bad first CIvil War game for @Cjverdell_.

First FBS player with 4 rushing TDs & a receiving TD in the same game since 2016 and the first to do it in a @pac12 game since 2011. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/GHe2WKINLQ

— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 25, 2018

4. Stanford (7-4, 5-3)

Result: Beat UCLA 49-42 on the road.

Recap: The first half was a back and forth affair as the two teams exchanged touchdowns in the second quarter with Stanford taking a 27-20 lead into the locker room. UCLA scored first in the third quarter before Stanford responded with two touchdowns of their own. UCLA chipped in a safety and a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to end the third and a touchdown to start the fourth quarter to lead 42-41. Cardinal quarterback K.J. Costello hit Osiris St. Brown on a 52-yard touchdown to take the lead and eventually the win.

Costello finished with 344 yards passing and five touchdowns. Running back Bryce Love had 85 yards and a score on the ground. Wide receivers J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Trenton Irwin had seven receptions each with Arcega-Whiteside racking up 106 yards and three touchdowns. Irwin added 103 receiving and one touchdown.

Previous ranking: 4

Next up: at California, Saturday at 1 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

This game was originally scheduled for November 17 but was postponed due to poor air quality from the wildfires in Northern California.

 

.@jjarcega_22‘s incredible season continued Saturday with his 4th 100-yard receiving game & 5th multi-touchdown performance.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/LrZqRGqii7

— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) November 25, 2018

5. California (7-4, 4-4)

Result: Beat Colorado 33-31 at home.

Recap: Colorado basically gifted Cal with 14 points as they returned two interceptions for touchdowns on the Buffaloes first two drives. Adding an offensive touchdown late in the first quarter gave Cal a 21-0 advantage. Colorado got back into the game as they trailed by six going into the fourth quarter but the Golden Bears scored one touchdown and held Colorado scoreless in the final quarter.

Quarterback Chase Garbers threw two touchdown passes on 116 yards through the air while adding 47 yards on the ground.

Previous ranking: 5

Next up: vs. Stanford, Saturday at 1 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

This game was originally scheduled for November 17 but was postponed due to poor air quality from the wildfires in Northern California.

 

Senior Day Success! #EarnIt pic.twitter.com/FRLHlu6Qy6

— Cal Football (@CalFootball) November 25, 2018

6. Oregon State (2-10, 1-8)

Result: Lost to Oregon 55-15 at home.

Recap: The Beavers trailed Oregon 28-3 before scoring their first touchdown in the third quarter. They added their second and final touchdown with 16 seconds left in the game. Quarterback Jake Luton had 282 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions while running back Jermar Jefferson racked up 64 yards rushing. Wide receiver Isaiah collected 8 receptions for 133 yards.

Previous ranking: 6

Next up: Season is over.

 

Thank you, @BeaverFootball Seniors. #GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/wbffLcTHNq

— Go Beavs (@BeaverAthletics) November 24, 2018

SOUTH

1. No. 17 Utah (9-3, 6-3)

Result: Defeated BYU 35-27 at home.

Recap: With the south division locked up, the Utes might have been overlooking their rival BYU in the regular season finale. BYU had a 27-7 lead in the third quarter before Utah went on a ferocious run of 28 unanswered points to win 35-17. Quarterback Jason Shelley had 141 yards and one touchdown through the air while adding 61 rushing yards and another touchdown. Cornerback Julian Blackmon started the run with a 27-yard interception returned for a touchdown. The Utes have won seven of their last eight games heading into their first Pac-12 Championship game on Friday against No. 16 Washington.

Previous ranking: 1

Next up: Pac-12 Championship against No. 16 Washington, Friday at 6 p.m. on FOX.

You brought the 🔥 on a cold night in Rice-Eccles.
57 straight sellouts thanks to the best fans in college football! #goutes pic.twitter.com/iqk7k4C0Xi

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 25, 2018

2. Arizona State (7-5, 5-4)

Result: Beat Arizona 41-40 on the road.

Recap: Arizona was up 40-21 at the start of the fourth quarter before the Sun Devils rattled off 20 straight to lead 41-40. Wildcats kicker Josh Pollack missed a 45-yard field goal with 11 seconds left to give Arizona State the win and the Territorial Cup. Quarterback Manny Wilkins threw for 265 yards, one touchdown and 57 rushing yards and another score on the ground. He found wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk five times for 106 yards and a touchdown. Running back Eno Benjamin had 21 carries for 80 yards and three touchdowns.

Previous ranking: 2

Next up: They will find out their bowl game on Sunday.

 

LEGENDARY WIN 🏆

Cinematic highlights from yesterday’s thrilling victory over the team down south ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/F8t4BcxJ8Z

— Territorial Cup Champions 🏆 (@ASUFootball) November 25, 2018

3. Arizona (5-7, 4-5)

Result: Lost to Arizona State 41-40 at home.

Recap: Things were looking really good for the Wildcats against their rivals as they were leading 40-21 to start the fourth quarter but Arizona State rallied and took a one point lead. Arizona kicker Josh Pollack missed a 45-yard field goal with 11 seconds left to keep the Wildcats from playing in a bowl game. Quarterback Khalil Tate had 282 yards and three passing touchdowns while racking up 46 rushing yards. Running back J.J. Taylor tallied 144 yards on 28 carries.

Previous ranking: 3

Next up: Season is over.

FINAL | Arizona State 41, Arizona 40#BearDown pic.twitter.com/n16zWu1Q36

— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) November 25, 2018

4. USC (5-7, 5-4)

Result: Lost to No. 3 Notre Dame 24-17 at home.

Recap: The Trojans put together a great effort in trying to secure a bowl game with an upset win over the Fighting Irish. They jumped out to a 10-point lead before the Irish answered with 24 unanswered. USC scored a 20-yard touchdown with 48 seconds to have the comeback fall short.

Quarterback J.T. Daniels threw for 349 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Tyler Vaughns had 12 catches for 120 yards and one touchdown. After much speculation of the future of head coach Clay Helton, the university has decided to keep him for the 2019 season.

Previous ranking: 5

Next up: Season is over.

 

USC head coach Clay Helton weighs in as a crucial offseason begins. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/VLDmScSHiK

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) November 25, 2018

5. Colorado (5-7, 2-7)

Result: Lost to California 33-21 on the road.

Recap: After firing their head coach Mike MacIntyre, the Buffaloes hurt themselves early on by throwing two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns on their first two drives. Quarterback Steven Montez threw for 170 yards and ran for 53 with two touchdowns and three interceptions. After starting the season 5-0, the Buffs lost seven straight and will miss a bowl game and now have to hire a new head coach.

Previous ranking: 4

Next up: Season is over.

 

And that wraps up the 2018 season. Thank you to the fans for your support this season!#GoBuffs #CUvsCAL pic.twitter.com/nzkjhloXfd

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@RunRalphieRun) November 25, 2018

6. UCLA (3-9, 3-6)

Result: Lost to Stanford 49-42 at home.

Recap: UCLA trailed 41-27 with 5:24 left in the third quarter before they scored 15 straight points but couldn’t hold off Stanford as they sealed the win on a 52-yard touchdown. Quarterback Wilton Speight threw for 466 yards but didn’t throw a touchdown pass. Running back Joshua Kelley had 18 carries for 55 yards and two touchdowns.

Previous ranking: 6

Next up: Season is over.

See you boys next season @UCLAFootball! #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/XXTglBYRGy

— Rose Bowl Stadium (@RoseBowlStadium) November 25, 2018