College Football

Pac-12 division races heating up 2 weeks from title game

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:29 p.m. ET

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The Pac-12 Championship is two weeks away and the teams are not set yet.

We're close, though.

Stanford is still in control of the North despite its loss to Oregon last week. The South is still up in the air with Utah's loss to Arizona last week, with UCLA and Southern California in control of their own destinies in the division.

In other words, one title game participant could be set this week, but the other will have to wait until next week.

Here are things to look for in the Pac-12 this week:

GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 22 USC at No. 23 Oregon. This is always an entertaining game and takes on adding meaning with both teams fighting for division titles. Despite losing their head coach early in the season, the Trojans have put themselves in position to win the South under interim coach Clay Helton. USC has been on a roll since losing a close game to Notre Dame, winning four straight. Beat the Ducks, then knock off rival UCLA in the finale and the Trojans will have a spot in Santa Clara. The Ducks still have an uphill climb. They need to beat the Trojans and rival Oregon State, and have Stanford lose to California to win the North. They've been playing well, entering Saturday's game on a four-game winning streak that includes a victory over Stanford last week.

BEST MATCHUP: UCLA at No. 18 Utah. The Utes blew a chance to take a stranglehold on the South Division with last week's road loss to unranked Arizona. The loss also pretty much knocked them out of the College Football Playoff picture. Still, win out and get some help, it could be Utah representing the South in the Pac-12 title game. The Bruins could have moved atop the South last week by beating Washington State, but lost 31-27 at home to keep the South a jumbled mess. Still, beat the Utes and knock off USC in the finale, they'll be playing for a conference championship.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: The Pac-12 has eight teams bowl eligible and could add another if Arizona State beats Arizona this weekend. Washington and Colorado each need to win their final two games to become bowl eligible. Only 2-8 Oregon State has no chance at a bowl. ... USC running back Ronald Jones II needs 87 yards to break the school freshman record set by Charles White in 1976. ... Colorado QB Sefo Liufau became CU's all-time career leader in total offense with 7,842 yards and is 13 yards short of Cody Hawkins' career passing record of 7,409 yards.

IMPACT PLAYER: Cal QB Jared Goff. The junior had a huge game against Oregon State last week, throwing for 453 yards and six TDs. Goff has had his ups and downs this season, but the Bears are facing rival Stanford on Saturday, so expect him to be up for that game.

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Complied by AP College Football Writer John Marshall