1. Colorado 10-2, 8-1 (No. 1 last week)
The Buffs become the fifth different team in as many years to claim the South Division. And there was nothing fluky about it, as they won their final six games and took down Top 25 teams in back-to-back weeks to close out the season. But can they become the first South team to wrestle the conference belt away from the North?
2. USC 9-3, 7-2 (No. 2 last week)
One of the hottest teams in the country ended the regular season on a scorching eight-game tear. But September losses to Stanford and Utah ultimately cost them a repeat appearance in the Pac-12 title game. Still, confidence should be high moving forward with
Sam Darnold commanding the offense and questions about Clay Helton and Co. sufficiently squashed.
3. Washington 11-1, 8-1 (No. 3 last week)
A blowout win … on the road … against a rival … that is ranked in the Top 25 … is a very strong message to the playoff committee. A win over Colorado in the Pac-12 championship game would all but cement a spot in the four-team tournament. If Colorado wins, well, we saw how the committee treated a two-loss conference champ last season.