Pac-12 rewind: Clarity in the South, a USC-UCLA thriller, Utes end Buffaloes’ run

A quick-hitting recap of Pac-12 Week 6 action:

Theme of the Week I: Clarity and chaos

The South Division was settled on the field: USC’s victory combined with Colorado’s loss to give the Trojans a one-game lead in the loss column, allowing the conference to avoid undefeated Colorado being left out of the championship game.

Meanwhile, the North Division is a mess. Washington was unable to play Oregon due to COVID-19, and as a result, clinched the division title by virtue of having a better record (3-1) than both the Ducks and Stanford (3-2).

On Monday, the Huskies determined they will not have enough players available this week, which means Oregon will advance to the title game out of the second-place position.

Theme of the Week II: Cancellations

Two more games (Washington-Oregon and Cal-Washington State) were declared no contests for Week 6 and a third (Cal-Arizona) has already been called off for Week 7.

That brings the season total to 12, with a net of 10 games lost. (Two new games were created: Cal-UCLA and Utah-Washington.) And yes, there could be a few more.

News of the Week: Termination

Arizona’s Kevin Sumlin was fired Saturday, one day after an unfathomable 70-7 home loss to Arizona State extended the Wildcats’ losing streak to 12 straight.

Sumlin is the first Pac-12 coach to be dismissed since Colorado’s Mike MacIntyre inNovember 2018.

Offensive Player of the Week: USC quarterback Kedon Slovis

The sophomore was sensational in USC’s come-from-behind victory, completing 30 of 47 passes for 344 yards and five touchdowns. And when it mattered most, with USC trailing in the final minute, Slovis was perfect.

Defensive Player of the Week: Utah safety Nephi Sewell

The younger brother of Penei and older brother of Noah was instrumental in the Utes’ second-half dominance in Boulder. Sewell had 11 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception as Utah shut out CU over the final 29 minutes.

Defensive Player of the Season: USC safety Talanoa Hufanga

The junior from Corvallis intercepted a pass Saturday – his fourth consecutive game with a pick – and cemented his position as our favorite for Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. His combination of physicality and athleticism reminds us of Trojan great Troy Polamalu.

Game of the Week: USC 43, UCLA 38

The ancient rivals produced a thriller with 993 total yards, 50 points in the second half, three lead changes in the final eight minutes and a game-winning drive in the final seconds. The Trojans remained unbeaten and kept their super-slim playoff hopes alive, while the Bruins proved (again) that they are finally on the right trajectory under Chip Kelly.

Bad Call of the Week: Cal

The Bears cleared testing in Berkeley and flew to Pullman, expecting to play as schedule at 1 p.m. But on the ride to Martin Stadium, they received the call no team wants: A positive COVID test and the resulting contact tracing rendered the Bears unable to play. It was the first game-day cancellation of the season in the Pac-12 and a brutal turn of events for both Cal and Washington State. The Bears have been forced to cancel twice, each time as a result of a single positive test.

Rout of the century: Arizona State 70, Arizona 7

ASU’s point total is the highest for either team in the history of the Territorial Cup, first played in 1899.

What-if of the Season: Stanford

The Cardinal is 3-2 overall, tied with Oregon and one game behind Washington in the loss column. We can’t help but wonder how the division might look if a testing error hadn’t forced quarterback Davis Mills to miss the opener at Oregon and the following week of practice. Mills was completely out of rhythm in the first half against Colorado, then directed a series of second-half touchdown drives in what became a three-point loss. If he practices all week, he’s probably sharp from the start, the loss becomes a win and Stanford takes the North.

Been there, done that: USC

The Trojans have won three games with touchdown drives in the final minute: six plays, 55 yards to beat Arizona State, six plays, 75 yards to slay Arizona, and two plays, 43 yards to beat UCLA.

Been there, done that II: Stanford

For the third time in the past four seasons, Stanford won at Oregon State by three points or less. And for the second time in four years, the game turned on a late fumble by the Beavers.

Best 1st half: Arizona State

The Sun Devils scored two touchdowns in the opening minute on their way to a 42-7 halftime lead in Tucson.

Best 2nd half: Utah

The Utes trailed 21-10 early in the third quarter in Boulder, then scored 28 consecutive points, knocking Colorado out of South contention.

Injury of the Week: Colorado

The second-quarter ankle injury suffered by linebacker Nate Landman took CU’s heart and soul – and one of the top players in the conference – off the field. Without the tackling machine, Colorado’s defense wilted and Utah took control in the second half.

Stat of the Week: Arizona

What’s worse than committing seven turnovers? Committing seven turnovers when your opponent commits zero.

Stat of the Week II: USC

The ESPN Football Power Index gives the Trojans a 49 percent chance to make the playoff – slightly better than Clemson (45 percent).

Stat of the Season: UCLA

The Bruins are 3-3, with the losses (to Colorado, USC and Oregon) by a combined 14 points.

Stat of the Season II: Stanford

The Cardinal is headed to Santa Barbara this week to practice and prepare for UCLA.

The game will mark the end of a 19-day roadtrip.

Jon Wilner can be reached at pac12hotline@bayarea- newsgroup.com