Pac-12 Football Power Rankings, Week 12: Apple Cup to decide it all

When Washington’s hopes for a return to the College Football Playoff were dashed by Auburn in Week 1, the Huskies promptly picked themselves up off the ground and won five in a row.

Around a three-point loss to Oregon in overtime and a 12-10 setback at California, Washington again responded, scoring wins vs. Colorado, Stanford and Oregon State to set themselves up for a winner-take-all contest with rival Washington State in the Apple Cup this week.

The Huskies can claim the North division title with a win on Friday, but they’ll have to become the first team this year to knock the Cougars and head coach Mike Leach off at home. Washington had no trouble with Oregon State this past week, as Myles Gaskin ran for 135 yards and Jake Browning had 242 yards passing and three touchdowns.

Oh man, the Washington State offense was clicking this past week, putting up a 69-spot on the scoreboard as Gardner Minshew shredded Arizona, Minshew, making a strong case for a Heisman invite, was 43-for-55 passing for 473 yards with seven touchdowns, setting a new school-record in the process.

The Cougars, though, showed their flexibility on offense, adding another 123 yards rushing and a pair of scores as both James Williams and Max Borghi ran for 50 yards and found the end zone once. Eleven different players caught a pass, including a five-reception, 85-yard, two-touchdown performance by former “Last Chance U” star Calvin Jackson Jr.

Washington State did allow Arizona to record over 400 yards of total offense and convert 50 percent of its third-down attempts, numbers they’ll want to improve upon when they meet Washington in the Apple Cup for the Pac-12 North title this Friday.

Win, and Minshew and the Cougars are headed to the Pac-12 title game. A loss, though, would mean that spot goes to heated rival Washington. Utah has already clinched the South and will meet the winner.