Stanford Football: How can Cardinal clinch Pac-12 North in 2017?

Stanford football’s big win over Washington last week kept the Cardinal alive for the Pac-12 North title.

With two games left, Stanford (7-3, 6-2 Pac-12) has an opportunity to advance to the Pac-12 championship game. Currently the Cardinal sit behind Washington State (9-2, 6-2). The Cougars have the tie breaker because of their head-to-head victory over the Cardinal. Behind Stanford is Washington (8-2, 5-2).

First, Stanford must beat Cal this Saturday night. The Bears (5-5, 2-5) are looking to gain bowl eligibility with a win in either of their final two games. Cal will be a tough game, but Stanford should have the edge being at home and having a Heisman candidate in running back Bryce Love.

Stanford has one game left on the schedule against Notre Dame which will have no bearing on the Pac-12. Next Saturday though, Stanford must root for Washington State to lose the Apple Cup to Washington. If the Huskies win, the Cardinal will move ahead of the Cougars and win the division.

There is a small chance of a three way tie for the Pac-12 North. Even though it is an unlikely scenario, it is worth mentioning. In this scenario, Cal beats Stanford, Utah (5-5, 2-5) upsets Washington, and then the Huskies beat the Cougars in the Apple Cup. Stanford, Washington, and Washington State would all be tied with a 6-3 conference record.

The head-to-head records between the teams would all be 1-1, so it would go to the second tie breaker, record in intra-divisional games. Washington would have a 4-1 record versus the Pac-12 North whereas Stanford and Washington State would be 3-2. The Huskies would advance to the Pac-12 Championship.

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All of the scenarios should make for an exciting last two weeks in the Pac-12. Stanford is looking to advance to their fourth Pac-12 Championship game.