Pac-12 football preview: Week 13 power rankings, schedule, game of the week, more

It's rivalry week. There will be seven games featuring Pac-12 teams this week.

The Arizona Republic previews the week in the conference:

Week 13 Power Rankings

1. Utah (8-3, 7-1)

Last: No. 1, def. Oregon 38-7

Next: vs. Colorado

What to know: The Utes spoiled any chance the Pac-12 had of getting a team into the College Football Playoff. But, they did position themselves to play for a Pac-12 title. They just need to handle the Buffaloes.

2. Oregon (9-2, 6-2)

Last: No. 2, lost to Utah 38-7

Next: vs. Oregon State

What to know: The Ducks won't be playing for a National Championship, but they can still grab a title as a win Saturday would put them in the Pac-12 title game.

3. Oregon State (7-4, 5-3)

Last: No. 5, def. Arizona State 24-10

Next: at Oregon

What to know: Oregon State is a program on the rise. The Beavers surprised the Sun Devils last week, much as they have surprised the Pac-12 this season. Already qualified for a bowl game, they have a chance to smell the roses.

4. Washington State (6-5, 5-3)

Last: No. 6, def. Arizona 44-18

Next: vs. Washington

What to know: The Cougars have a shot at the Pac-12 North title. In order to get there, they need to not only beat Washington, but have Oregon State beat Oregon as well. All this for a team that only became bowl eligible by beating Arizona on Saturday.

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

Last: No. 4, def. USC 62-33

Next: vs. California

What to know: You read that score correctly. The Bruins put up a season-high 62 points. Already assured a winning record for the first time since 2015, they could win nine games for the first time since 2014.

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

Last: No. 3, lost to Oregon State 24-10

Next: vs. Arizona

What to know: The combination of Herm Edwards and Jayden Daniels was supposed to mean a Pac-12 title, at the very least. However, time could be winding down with Edwards on the hot seat and Daniels looking toward either the NFL or a grad transfer.

7. USC (4-6, 3-5)

Last: No. 7, lost to UCLA 62-33

Next: vs. BYU

What to know: USC will likely take a loss to BYU and assure itself a losing record after entering the season with high expectations. However, the season won't be over for the Trojans as the Cal game, which had been postponed due to COVID-19 will be played during championship week.

8. California (4-6, 3-4)

Last: No. 10, def. Stanford 41-11

Next: at UCLA

What to know: Cal's offense carried the day against Stanford. If it can repeat that performance, fans could be in for a shootout.

9. Colorado (4-7, 3-5)

Last: No. 11, def. Washington 20-17

Next: at Utah

What to know: In another season, Utah might not be a bad opponent for the final game of a challenging season. But in other seasons, the Utes didn't win the Pac-12 South. Hang in there, Buffs, there's always next year.

10. Washington (4-7, 3-5)

Last: No. 8, lost to Colorado 20-17

Next: vs. Washington State

What to know: The Huskies might have hit the low point of their season — or at least the low point since losing to Montana in Week 1. A rivalry game provides a shot at redemption.

11. Stanford (3-8, 2-7)

Last: No. 9, lost to Cal 41-11

Next: vs. Notre Dame

What to know: Pac-12 play concluded for the Cardinal, who now get the treat of facing the No. 5 teams in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll, in what is a meaningless game for Stanford. The best it can hope for is to spoil Notre Dame's chance at the College Football Playoff.

12. Arizona (1-10, 1-7)

Last: No. 12, lost to Washington State 44-18

Next: at Arizona State

What to know: What can make fans forget how bad this season has been? Beating Arizona State, of course. Last year, the Wildcats were on the receiving end of a 70-7 thrashing, but this year the Sun Devils look more vulnerable.

Player to watch

Calvin Jackson Jr., WR, Washington State

The 5-foot-10, 194-pounder ranks second in the Pac-12 in yards per game at 80.6. In 11 games, he has registered 57 receptions for 887 yards and seven touchdowns. His best showing was an eight-reception, 139-yard effort in the Cougars' win over Arizona State on Oct. 30. Jackson is a graduate student, taking advantage of the NCAA giving 2020 seniors an extra year of eligibility due to the unusual circumstances around the season as a result of the global health pandemic. The Fort Lauderdale native is in his third season at Washington State after playing two at Independence Community College in Kansas. His father Calvin played defensive back at Auburn and spent six seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. His cousin Marquise Brown was a wide receiver at Oklahoma who went on to be a first round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2019.

This week's games

Colorado at Utah

(Friday, 2 p.m.; FOX)

Line: Utes by 23.5

Washington State at Washington

(Friday, 6 p.m.; FS1)

Line: Huskies by 0.5

Oregon State at Oregon

(Saturday, 1:30 p.m.; ESPN)

Line: Ducks by 7.5

Arizona at Arizona State

(Saturday, 2 p.m.; Pac-12)

Line: Sun Devils by 20.5

Notre Dame at Stanford

(Saturday, 6 p.m.; FOX)

Line: Fighting Irish by 16.5

BYU at USC

(Saturday, 8:30 p.m.; ESPN)

Line: Cougars by 6.5

California at UCLA

(Saturday, 8:30 p.m.; FS1)

Line: Bruins by 7.5

By the numbers

4 — Number of college football rivalries that have been played more times than Oregon vs. Oregon State.

49 — Miles that separate the Oregon campus in Eugene and the Oregon State campus in Corvallis.

1894 — The year in which Oregon and Oregon State first played against each other.

Game of the Week

Oregon State at Oregon

It's simple for Oregon on Saturday. If it wins its showdown with Oregon State, the Ducks will win the Pac-12 North and earn a berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Oregon State can still win the North as well, but the Beavers need to beat Oregon and have Washington defeat Washington State on Friday. Washington State will be the North champ if Oregon State beats Oregon and the Cougars beat the Huskies.

Keys for Oregon State

Establish the run: The Beavers are at their best when they run the ball and run it efficiently. They did that last week against Arizona State, led by B.J. Taylor's 150 yards on 20 carries.

Win the turnover battle: Taking care of the ball would go a long way toward helping Oregon State upset the Ducks. Forcing a turnover or two wouldn't hurt either.

Step up on defense: Oregon State's defense impressed against Arizona State. A similar solid effort against the Ducks could give the Beavers a chance to win the rivalry game.

Keys for Oregon

Shake off loss to Utah: The loss to the Utes was bad, but the Ducks still control their own destiny for the Rose Bowl. Yes, the College Football Playoff is out of the question, but many of the Ducks' goals are still within reach.

Get a bounce back game from QB: Anthony Brown was just 17-for-35 in the loss to Utah, throwing for 231 yards. He will need to step up to help Oregon rebound from that loss.

Force Oregon State to pass: The Beavers want to run, so the Ducks need to force them to beat them in the air. Doing that could go a long way in helping the Ducks make the Pac-12 title game.

Prediction

Oregon did not look good in Salt Lake City last week, but few teams do. It will be back at home this week against Oregon State and that will go a long way in helping the Ducks win the Pac-12 North title.

Oregon 35, Oregon State 27

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Pac-12 football preview: Week 13 power rankings, schedule, more