If the Pac-12 is to make it back to the College Football Playoff for the second year in a row, it would likely be behind efforts of Washington football.
No. 12 Washington football is the highest-ranked team in the Pac-12. The Huskies loss to the Arizona State Sun Devils in Week 7 definitely hurt its chances of making a run to the College Football Playoff for the second straight season.
However, with the USC Trojans loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Week 8, the then highest-ranked team in the Pac-12 fell all the way to No. 21 in the AP Poll. Also, when the Washington State Cougars lost to the Cal Golden Bears in Week 7, by the final score of 37-3, they fell out of the AP Top 10. Wazzu might still be the toughest opponent that Washington has left on tap.
If the Pac-12 has any hope left in the Playoff picture, it would likely be the Huskies. Wazzu could still Pac-12 a chance, but the Cougars would need to win out in convincing fashion. A lot will come down to the Apple Cup (in-state rivalry between Washington and Washington State) to determine if the Pac-12 will have a representative in the Playoff.
Washington might have enough to make the Playoff by the end of the regular season if the Huskies have wins over Wazzu, Oregon, Stanford, and possibly USC. Yet, USC would have to win the Pac-12 South and meet the Huskies in the title game for that to happen.
In Week 9, the Huskies have a meeting with quarterback Josh Rosen and the UCLA Bruins. Washington also faces Oregon, Stanford, Wazzu, and Utah to round out the regular season. There’s no question that both Washington schools cannot afford to lose another game this year.
Next: Complete 2018 NFL Mock Draft after Week 8
With how good the Big 12 is looking this year (the sole Power Five conference left out of the Playoff last season), it could be tough for the Pac-12 to make it. However, under head coach Chris Petersen, it would be foolish to count out the Huskies until another game is lost.