PAC 12

Pac-12 football power rankings - Week 14

Jeff Metcalfe
azcentral sports
Nov 28, 2015: Stanford students and fans celebrate on the field after the Stanford Cardinal defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 38-36 at Stanford Stadium.

With Washington getting to six wins, a record 10 Pac-12 teams will play in bowl games although none -- barring major upsets -- in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Yet there will be a gluttony of conference holiday entertainment from Dec. 19-Jan. 2.

Here are the Week 14 Pac-12 power rankings from Jeff Metcalfe.

Where's your favorite team?

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12. Oregon State (2-10, 0-9)

When a 52-42 loss feels like a success, you know you haven't had a good season. The Beavers at least made it respectable against Oregon, giving coach Gary Andersen something to build on going into his second season. Up next: A lot of work to close the gap.

11. Colorado (4-9, 1-8)

Three of the Buffs' five season-ending losses were by six points or less against Utah, USC and UCLA, teams they are steadily catching up to in the South. Colorado last played in a bowl in 2007 but could end that drought as soon as next season. Up next: Stay the course.

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10. Arizona (6-6, 3-6)

Rich Rodriguez isn't leaving for Virginia Tech, but does that means he'll be back for a fifth season? Probably, but what will be a crazy coaching carousel ride is just beginning. The Wildcats are due for a healthier 2016 and better Pac-12 scheduling. Up next: Perhaps the Arizona Bowl in Tucson on Dec. 29.

9. Washington (6-6, 4-5)

The Huskies dipped from an 8-5 regular season in Chris Petersen's first season but still seem headed in the right direction given the growth of freshman QB Jake Browning and a stingy defense. Up next: A low non-Pac-12 contracted bowl with a chance for a winning season.

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8. Arizona State (6-6, 4-5)

Down two spots after a disturbing defensive second half against California, the Sun Devils limp into a bowl game with four losses in their last six games. Yes, they could have eight wins, but that only makes the six they have more painful. Up next: Best case scenario, a staycation Cactus Bowl berth.

7. California (7-5, 4-5)

Perhaps safety-deprived ASU made QB Jared Goff look better than he really is at this stage, but 542 yards and five touchdowns support those who project him as a top-10 NFL draft pick. Up next: The Bears also could wind up in the Cactus Bowl or a non-contracted Pac-12 bowl.

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6. Washington State (8-4, 6-3)

Without QB Luke Falk, out due to an apparent concussion, the high-flying Cougars crashed to a scoring season low in a 45-10 Apple Cup loss. They're down three spots but could bounce back provided Falk returns for the postseason. Up next: Likely the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 19.

5. Utah (9-3, 6-3)

Not that the Utes did anything that special other than end a two-game losing streak in a 20-14 win over Colorado, but big picture they deserve a two-place bump for their second consecutive nine-win season. Up next: Either the Holiday or Sun bowl, either of which will be tough to win without RB Devontae Booker.

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4. UCLA (8-4, 5-4)

All the teams from No. 4-9 could be shuffled to almost any position given their parity and inconsistency. The Bruins, up one spot, remain ahead of Utah based a head-to-head win Nov. 21 despite their 40-21 South-deciding loss to USC. Up next: Either the Sun or Foster Farms bowl.

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

The Trojans, up one spot, got their long awaited first Pac-12 Championship Game appearance and their man after beating UCLA. Clay Helton's popular promotion from interim to permanent head coach shows earned faith from AD Pat Haden. Up next: Saturday vs. Stanford in Santa Clara, Calif.

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2. Oregon (9-3, 7-2)

The Ducks, down one spot, won their sixth straight but not easily, leading by only three points early in the fourth quarter after Pac-12 winless Oregon State. Mark Helfrich deserves credit for a solid coaching job to get to nine wins. Up next: Either the Alamo or Holiday bowl.

1. Stanford (10-2, 8-1)

The narrow loss to Oregon on Nov. 14 almost certainly will keep the Cardinal, up one spot, out of the CFP semifinals, but a Rose Bowl berth awaits the winner of the Pac-12 Championship Game. For Stanford, that would be a fifth major bowl in the last six years. Up next: Saturday vs. USC in Santa Clara, Calif.