Eight weeks down, 4 groups have the within monitor for the 2 berths within the Pac-12 championship recreation.
Oregon, USC, UCLA and Utah are the cream of the convention. They’re 14-3 in league play, with the losses coming solely to one another.
In opposition to everybody else, they’re 11-0.
Two video games loom massive, each on Nov. 19: Utah at Oregon and USC at UCLA
It’s straightforward to see some mixture of the quartet tying for the regular-season title or second place, with a berth within the championship recreation at stake.
For that purpose — and since we’ve got obtained quite a few inquiries from readers — the Hotline concluded the time is correct for a short overview of the tie-breaking process.
Right here we go …
*** Two-team ties
That is straightforward, except it’s not.
A two-team tie is damaged by the head-to-head end result. But when the groups didn’t play (for instance: USC and Oregon), then the second tiebreaker is every staff’s successful proportion in opposition to the next-highest-placed widespread opponent within the standings (and continuing via the standings).
And if that doesn’t work, the third step is successful proportion in opposition to all widespread convention opponents.
*** Multi-team ties
With ties involving greater than two groups, the objective is to unlock the tie as quickly as attainable by way of the procedures. Per convention coverage:
“After one staff has a bonus and is seeded, all remaining groups within the multiple-team tie-breaker will repeat the multiple-team tie-breaking process. If at any level the multiple-team tie is decreased to 2 groups, the two-team tie-breaking process will likely be utilized.”
1. Head-to-head outcomes, except not all the tied groups have performed one another. (In that case, head-to-head is ignored.)
2. Successful proportion in opposition to widespread convention opponents
3. Report in opposition to the next-highest-placed widespread opponent within the standings
Observe: If there’s a group of tied groups, then “use every staff’s win proportion in opposition to the collective tied groups as a bunch (previous to that group’s personal tie-breaking process) moderately than the efficiency in opposition to particular person tied groups.”
4. Mixed successful proportion in convention video games of convention opponents (basically: strength-of-schedule)
5. Highest rating by SportSource Analytics
Past that, it’s a coin toss. However we’re fairly assured a three-team tie received’t get previous the third step.
If there’s a have to revisit the tiebreaker within the closing weeks of the season and clarify all attainable situations, we’ll do it.
To this week’s energy scores …
* Disclaimer: The Hotline energy scores don’t essentially monitor with the order of groups listed on my Related Press top-25 poll, which is predicated on tips offered by the AP.
All instances Pacific
1. Oregon (6-1/4-0)
Final week: 1
End result: beat UCLA 45-30
Subsequent up: at Cal (12:30 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: Following his stellar efficiency in opposition to UCLA, quarterback Bo Nix is now 35-to-1 to win the Heisman Trophy. These look like lengthy odds, however there are solely two gamers beneath 10-to-1: Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker.
2. UCLA (6-1/3-1)
Final week: 2
End result: misplaced at Oregon 45-30
Subsequent up: vs. Stanford (7:30 p.m. on ESPN)
Remark: The protection is starting to resemble final 12 months’s model — not due to the teaching, which is healthier, however the personnel, which is worse. When the beginning free security (Mo Osling III) has greater than twice as many tackles as anybody else (17), your entrance seven has been overwhelmed.
3. USC (6-1/ 4-1)
Final week: 3
End result: DNP
Subsequent up: at Arizona (4 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Remark: We now have revised upward our outlook for the UCLA recreation. First staff to 60 wins.
4. Utah (5-2/3-1)
Final week: 4
End result: DNP
Subsequent up: at Washington State (Thursday, 7 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: If the Utes play each remaining half the way in which they performed the second half in opposition to USC, they could possibly be enjoying two halves in Las Vegas on Dec. 2.
5. Oregon State (6-2/3-2)
Final week: 5
End result: beat Colorado 42-9
Subsequent up: idle
Remark: In response to a slew of questions previously 24 hours about why the Hotline didn’t slot OSU into our newest AP top-25 poll, right here’s the reply: Lack of high quality wins relative to different groups on the underside tier of the poll. However it’s shut. We thought lengthy and onerous about together with the Beavers.
6. Washington (6-2/3-2)
Final week: 6
End result: received at Cal 28-21
Subsequent up: idle
Remark: After a string of terrible performances, UW’s protection lastly held an opponent beneath 30 factors. Then once more, that very same opponent (Cal) scored simply 13 the earlier week in opposition to lowly Colorado. We have to see extra from the Huskies earlier than declaring the unit improved.
7. Washington State (4-3/1-3)
Final week: 7
End result: DNP
Subsequent up: vs. Utah (Thursday, 7 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: The Cougars haven’t been the identical for the reason that four-minute mark of the Oregon recreation, notably on offense. And so they’re working out of time to recapture the early-season mojo.
8. Arizona State (2-5/1-3)
Final week: 8
End result: misplaced at Stanford 15-14
Subsequent up: at Colorado (4:30 p.m. on ESPNU)
Remark: We by no means thought-about interim coach Shaun Aguano a severe candidate for the everlasting gig, and at this level, his chances are high near null and void. Then again, Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, an ASU alum, had himself a fairly good Saturday.
9. Stanford (3-4/1-4)
Final week: 10
End result: beat Arizona State 15-14
Subsequent up: at UCLA (7:30 p.m. on ESPN)
Remark: Three wins down, three to go and a schedule that features Cal (3-4), Washington State (4-3) and Brigham Younger (4-4) — yeah, a bowl berth is totally a chance.
10. Arizona (3-4/1-3)
Final week: 9
End result: DNP
Subsequent up: vs. USC (4 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Remark: In two video games in opposition to the Trojans whereas with Washington State, quarterback Jayden de Laura accomplished 58.3 p.c of his passes (28-of-48) with two touchdowns, three interceptions and two blowout losses. If he performs like that Saturday, one other blowout will comply with.
11. Cal (3-4/1-3)
Final week: 11
End result: misplaced to Washington 28-21
Subsequent up: vs. Oregon (12:30 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: If the Bears had been to make an in-season change, the employees member most certified to switch offensive coordinator Invoice Musgrave might be tight ends coach Geep Chryst, who has NFL play-calling expertise (with the 49ers).
12. Colorado (1-6/1-3)
Final week: 12
End result: misplaced at Oregon State 42-9
Subsequent up: vs. Arizona State (4:30 p.m. on ESPNU)
Remark: This week brings the final remotely winnable recreation for the Buffaloes. On Homecoming, possibly they’ll take benefit.
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