Pac-12 Power Rankings: USC, Stanford set for Championship Game

The Doak Walker, Maxwell and Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalist and Hornung finalist led Stanford to wins over No. 4 Notre Dame, No. 18 UCLA and No. 6 USC to earn a berth in the Pac-12 championship game and the third North Division title in the last four years. This game was no different. Stanford hit the game-winning field goal in the final seconds to secure the victory over their rival.

McCaffrey leads the nation in all-purpose yardage with a school-record 3,035, the third-most in NCAA history.

Once Goff & Co. got on a roll, Arizona State’s defense couldn’t hold on.

“In the first game, I just remember the the talent they had skill-wise especially on the outside”, recalled Helton, who added, “The thing you take away from playing a team twice is maybe making some different personnel matchups”. They needed to travel 81 yards to the end zone, but instead Utah forced a fumble and recovered.

Shaw has won or shared coach of the year honors in three of his five seasons. The Stanford running back has had an historic season. Until the Utes learn their postseason destiny, they’ll spend time recovering.

Colorado once again fell short. Didn’t have many victories this season but won a moral victory to close the season. USC defeated UCLA 40-21. Maybe next year they can put those opponents in their own win category. Hogan threw a 27-yard pass to Devon Cajuste, setting up a 45-yard field goal.

Ukropina has had a breakthrough season for the Cardinal. McCaffrey rushed for 1,640 yards, seven touchdowns, 400 receiving yards, and three touchdowns in the receiving game.

Martinez tops the Pac-12 and ranks 14th nationally in tackles per game with 10.1.

Unless Stanford jumps into the playoff, the Las Vegas Bowl won’t have a choice on which Pac-12 team it gets. It plays a hectic schedule this week, starting with a home game against San Diego State Tuesday. It’s time for everyone to build strength and endurance and buy into Andersen’s playbook for the 2016 season. Also named to the first team were wide receiver Gabe Marks and left tackle Joe Dahl. USC looked more determined than ever to get the South championship, scoring 20 unanswered points in the second half to seal the win and the title. Now the Trojans lean heavily on a run game led by Ronald Jones, Justin Davis and Tre Madden, who have combined for 2,116 and 17 touchdowns on the ground.

If USC beats Stanford, the Alamo Bowl still would probably pick OR and, if that’s the case, the Holiday Bowl would be obligated to select Stanford. It’s a wait-and-see scenario, and the Bruins will know their fate soon. From a physical standpoint, Stanford dominated nearly across the board the first game, which helped convince the coaches that more than a tweak was in order. The win is remarkable in two ways.

That’s due in large part to what Helton has done for the Trojans that Orgeron did not two years ago: While Orgeron just righted the ship, Helton has already begun to steer the Trojan cruiser in his own direction by bringing USC’s old, smashmouth, power football identity back to great success.