In the wake of the Pac-12’s collapse, which leaves the sport with four power conferences, the CFP’s management committee this week reportedly recommended two changes to the expanded, 12-team playoff that starts next season:

•  Shift the access to five automatic bids and seven at-large bids from the format that had been previously approved (six automatic bids and six at-large bids).
•  Require a conference to have at least eight members in order to qualify for an automatic berth.

However, the changes proposed by the 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director must be approved by the university presidents that make up the CFP’s board of managers.

A unanimous vote is required, meaning Schulz, as the Pac-12’s representative to the board, could block any changes.

“I have read what’s in the media, but I haven’t sat down and read the proposal,” Schulz said Saturday prior to the Washington State-Cal game.

He planned to chat with Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff over the weekend to settle on a strategy that suits WSU and Oregon State, the two remaining members of the Pac-12 as of next summer.

The schools might operate as a two-team conference in 2024-25, a period that coincides with the final two years of the CFP’s media contract with ESPN.

“We’ll make a judgement about what we want to do, or if there’s a request to make of our partners in return for a yes vote,” Schulz said.

“I think it will happen quickly. There’s an eagerness to get it resolved before the CFP championship game.”

The Pac-12 receives roughly $75 million annually from the playoff, or about $6 million per school.

The conference is retaining its board seat despite the collapse, and the Beavers and Cougars want to keep their revenue shares.

“Financial resources are important,” Schulz said. “We need to define what it means to be a Power Five conference. There is no NCAA guideline.

“And we need to figure out what’s reasonable for the next couple years in terms of a financial arrangement.”

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(All times Pacific)

1. Air Force (7-0/4-0)

Last week: 1
Result: won at Navy 17-6
Next up: at Colorado State (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: The Falcons jumped three spots in the AP poll after beating a .500 opponent. At that rate, they could enter the top 10 by the middle of November. (Psst: That rate won’t continue.)

2. Wyoming (5-2/2-1)

Last week: 2
Result: did not play
Next up: at Boise State (2:30 p.m. on FS2)
Comment: In case you have lost track, Wyoming’s only losses are on the road to an undefeated team (Air Force) and on the road to the seventh-ranked team in the country (Texas).

3. Fresno State (6-1/2-1)

Last week: 3
Result: did not play
Next up: vs. UNLV (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: One of the combatants Saturday night in The Valley is undefeated in conference play, and it’s not Fresno State. Who figured?

4. Boise State (3-4/2-1)

Last week: 6
Result: did not play
Next up: vs. Wyoming (2:30 p.m. on FS2)
Comment: How times have changed: Boise State draws the 2:30 p.m. window on FS2 while Fresno State has the night slot on FS1.

5. UNLV (6-1/3-0)

Last week: 8
Result: beat Colorado State 25-23
Next up: at Fresno State (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: We are one UNLV win away from proclaiming Barry Odom the presumptive MW Coach of the Year winner. But that last step could take a few weeks.

6. San Jose State (3-5/2-2)

Last week: 7
Result: beat Utah State 42-21
Next up: at Hawaii (9 p.m. on Spectrum)
Comment: SJSU’s performance is better than it looks given that the five losses are to teams (USC, Oregon State, Toledo, Air Force and Boise State) with a combined record of 29-8.

7. Colorado State (3-4/1-2)

Last week: 4
Result: lost at UNLV 25-23
Next up: vs. Air Force (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: Following a one-point win over Boise State and a two-point loss to UNLV, the Rams’ high-wire act heads down the highway for what should be an entertaining affair with the first-place Falcons.

8. Utah State (3-5/1-3)

Last week: 5
Result: lost at San Jose State 42-21
Next up: idle
Comment: Too soon to count the Aggies out of the postseason with San Diego State, Nevada and New Mexico (plus Boise State) left on the schedule.

9. New Mexico (3-4/1-2)

Last week: 11
Result: beat Hawaii 42-21
Next up: at Nevada (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: Also not on the Hotline’s bingo card for this Mountain West season: Slotting New Mexico ahead of San Diego State in the power ratings.

10. San Diego State (3-5/1-3)

Last week: 9
Result: lost to Nevada 6-0
Next up: idle
Comment: Time for SDSU to start considering changes to the offensive coaching staff in order to avoid eventual discussions about changing the head coach.

11. Hawaii (2-6/0-3)

Last week: 10
Result: lost at New Mexico 42-21
Next up: vs. San Jose State (9 p.m. on Spectrum)
Comment: Five games left and no margin for error with the bowl math. Count us as just a tad skeptical.

12. Nevada (1-6/1-2)

Last week: 12
Result: beat San Diego State 6-0
Next up: vs. New Mexico (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: The Hotline long ago ceased being surprised by results at any level of major college football. But goodness, gracious, 6-0 blew us away on so many levels.

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Seven weeks later, Hunter isn’t even the most impactful two-way player in the Pac-12.

Sione Vaki has entered the chat.

The Utah sophomore spent the first 19 games of his career at safety but, because of injuries, has added tailback responsibilities — and is thriving at his adopted position.

It’s the most Utah development ever.

Hunter was the No. 1 recruit in the country two years ago, a can’t-miss NFL prospect who turned down scholarship offers from Georgia, Alabama and Florida State in order to play for Deion Sanders at Jackson State. Last winter, he followed Sanders to Colorado.

Vaki was a three-star recruit who played receiver and defensive back for Liberty High School in the Bay Area. His scholarship offers were from Utah State, Washington State, Boston College, Brigham Young and Utah.

Vaki spent two years on a church mission, joined the Utes for the 2022 season and started five games in the secondary. This fall, he’s second on the team in tackles (35) and tackles-for-loss (6.5) … and third in rushing.

With all the injuries in the offensive backfield, the Utes asked Vaki a few weeks ago if he would consider carrying and catching the ball.

The results have been Hunter-esque.

Vaki rushed for 158 yards and made five tackles against Cal, then carved up USC on land and by air. He averaged 7.6 yards on nine carries, caught five passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns and, for good measure, made two tackles.

Put another way: The Utes have averaged 19.2 points per game when Vaki plays defense exclusively and 34 when he lines up on offense, as well.

Nothing screams Utah football better than a three-star recruit who turns into one of the most impactful players in the conference at a time of need.

No program does a better job evaluating talent, developing talent and deploying talent.

Using the 889th-ranked recruit in his class to reinvent themselves on offense midway through an injury-marred season is the latest example — and one of the best.

To the power ratings …

(All times Pacific)

1. Washington (7-0/4-0)

Last week: 1
Result: beat Arizona State 15-7
Next up: at Stanford (4 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: Here comes the second half of a sneaky-tough doubleheader against schools that have given the Huskies fits over the years. They have dropped seven of the past nine at Stanford, including a 30-22 defeat in 2017 when they were ranked ninth. UW’s current ranking: No. 5.

2. Oregon (6-1/3-1)

Last week: 2
Result: beat Washington State 38-24
Next up: at Utah (12:30 p.m. on Fox)
Comment: Teams ranked in the top 25 nationally in average yards-per-play gained (offense) and average yards-per-play allowed (defense): Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame and Oregon.

3. Oregon State (6-1/3-1)

Last week: 3
Result: did not play
Next up: at Arizona (7:30 p.m. on ESPN)
Comment: It’s strength-on-strength this weekend in Tucson, where one of the nation’s top rushing offenses meets one of the best run defenses. Arizona being the latter was definitely not on our Pac-12 bingo card.

4. Utah (6-1/3-1)

Last week: 4
Result: won at USC 34-32
Next up: vs. Oregon (12:30 p.m. on Fox)
Comment: To the commentary on Vaki above, let’s not forget: Utah’s starting quarterback, Bryson Barnes, is a former walk-on and the starting tailback, Ja’Quiden Jackson, is a former quarterback.

5. UCLA (5-2/2-2)

Last week: 5
Result: won at Stanford 42-7
Next up: vs. Colorado (4:30 p.m. on ABC)
Comment: We just checked, and Dante Moore is not in the transfer portal.

6. USC (6-2/4-1)

Last week: 6
Result: lost to Utah 34-32
Next up: at Cal (1 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Lincoln Riley has a better chance to beat Kyle Whittingham than he does to win access spats with the L.A. media. And he’s 0-for-3 against Whittingham.

7. Arizona (4-3/2-2)

Last week: 7
Result: did not play
Next up: vs. Oregon State (7:30 p.m. on ESPN)
Comment: Recent downturns by both USC and Washington State lend context to Arizona’s performances against both. Are the Wildcats worthy of a top-half placement in these ratings and the conference standings? We’ll know by the close of business Saturday night.

8. Washington State (4-3/1-3)

Last week: 8
Result: lost at Oregon 38-24
Next up: at Arizona State (5 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: With ASU, Stanford, Cal and Colorado in succession, the Cougars have plenty of chances to secure bowl eligibility before the Apple Cup. Because from what we have seen lately, their chances of winning the Apple Cup (in Seattle) are less than zero.

9. Colorado (4-3/1-3)

Last week: 9
Result: did not play
Next up: at UCLA (4:30 p.m. on ABC)
Comment: Deion Sanders remade his roster in the offseason. To what extent did he remake his defense during the bye?

10. Cal (3-4/1-3)

Last week: 10
Result: did not play
Next up: vs. USC (1 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Cal could not have asked for more favorable circumstances than two weeks to prepare and USC reeling from back-to-back losses in marquee matchups (to Notre Dame and Utah). But success Saturday afternoon hinges on — and stop us if you’ve heard this before — the Bears generating the requisite level of production on offense.

11. Stanford (2-5/1-4)

Last week: 11
Result: lost to UCLA 42-7
Next up: vs. Washington (4 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: Remove the second half/overtime in Boulder, and Stanford has been outscored 113-13 over the past three games. We have no further comment.

12. Arizona State (1-6/0-4)

Last week: 12
Result: lost at Washington 15-7
Next up: vs. Washington State (5 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Yes, the Sun Devils got home-cooked in Seattle. Picking up the pass interference flag was a terrible decision by the officials. One of the worst of the season. Inexcusable.

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1. Wizard of the Wasatch

The Pac-12 will announce its all-conference team and postseason award winners in early December, a few days after the conference championship game.

How about we go ahead and pencil in Utah’s Kyle Whittingham for Coach of the Year.

Yes, there’s a half-season to play.

Sure, Washington is undefeated; coach Kalen DeBoer has done first-rate work with the Huskies.

And once again, Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith is doing as much with his personnel as any coach in the country.

Let’s not ignore Arizona’s Jedd Fisch and Colorado’s Deion Sanders; both schools are exceeding expectations.

But has any coach anywhere applied his craft with the complete mastery Whittingham has shown through the first eight weeks?

The Utes are 6-1 overall and tied for second place in the conference (in the loss column) and have been without their starting quarterback all season.

Same with their best all-around tailback.

And their all-conference tight end.

And an assortment of other impact players.

Yet somehow, they just beat USC 34-32 in the Coliseum on a last-second field goal with a quarterback (Bryson Barnes) who was a walk-on until recently and a tailback (Sione Vaki) who usually plays safety.

It was their third victory over USC in the past 53 weeks.

After the game, Whittingham went public with the worst-kept secret in the conference: quarterback Cam Rising, winner of the past two Pac-12 championship games, will miss the rest of the season due to a prolonged recovery from knee surgery.

So will tight end Brant Kuithe.

The Utes are also without gifted tailback Micah Bernard and wideout Mycah Pittman. And there are others.

No team has sustained as many injuries at the skill positions.

But therein lies the brilliance of Whittingham’s system. The Utes are built the old-fashioned way: from the inside out. The offensive and defensive lines have always been the pillars of the program, which is why they can beat Florida and Baylor and UCLA without Rising and Co.

They are all grit and resolve and willpower and moxie.

It’s why they can saunter into the Coliseum with a quarterback who only recently was placed on scholarship and beat a team with a quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy.

Whittingham has produced a bevy of quality teams in his 12 years in the Pac-12 and owns two conference Coach of the Year awards.

He has led the Utes through the transition to the Pac-12, through many gut-wrenching losses and through the deaths of two players.

But this … this stands as his tour de force.

2. The anti-Utah

In the other corner, ladies and gentlemen, we present the University of Southern California Trojans.

A team built from the outside in.

A team with terrific skill-position talent but weak lines of scrimmage and an undisciplined defense.

If the Utes are more than the sum of their parts, then the Trojans are less.

And after Saturday night, the Trojans have two losses, no shot at the College Football Playoff and, in our view, little chance to qualify for the Pac-12 championship game.

Not with Oregon and Washington and UCLA left on the schedule.

USC (6-2/4-1) is more likely to finish with four losses than play for the conference title.

Let’s not forget that the narrow loss to Utah and the blowout defeat at Notre Dame last weekend were preceded by close calls against Arizona and Colorado.

Inside the Trojan Horse, it seems, lies a paper tiger.

3 and 4. Bad loss, worse message

The leader of the wayward Trojans, of course, is Mr. Lincoln Michael Riley, a 40-year-old with a brilliant offensive mind and, it often seems, little regard for defense.

But Riley’s coaching skills are not the topic of this discussion.

Instead, let’s address his management of the USC program and role as the leader and molder of young men.

Following the gut-punch loss to Utah, Riley declined to make any of his players available to the media for post-game interviews.

That would be just fine if the Trojans also were not available for postgame interviews after victories. But, well, they are available after victories.

The Hotline never, ever addresses post-practice or post-game media access policies because, frankly, fans don’t care about the challenges reporters face. (Nor should they.)

And we aren’t offering comment here because of the impact Riley’s hardball approach had on the reporters who covered the game.

In our view, Riley is doing his own players a disservice by creating two sets of rules: Talk to the media after wins but not after a difficult loss.

That sends the wrong message. Learning to deal with the media when times are tough is more valuable than dealing with the media when times are good. The former builds character and teaches accountability. The latter lights the path to the easy way out.

Arizona State’s players are having a pretty tough season. They aren’t playing for a bowl berth, haven’t won since the season opener and just suffered a gut-punch loss in Seattle against the No. 5 team in the land.

How many times have ASU’s players been walled off from the media after losses? Zero.

Selective accountability doesn’t work. Either you hold players to a certain standard in every regard — including the public-facing aspect of playing football for USC — or you don’t bother with standards in any regard.

Hopefully, this was a one-time decision and USC’s players will be offered the opportunity to interact with the media after other losses this season (because there will be more losses).

If Riley thinks sealing his players off from the media is hurting the media, he’s grossly mistaken. The reporters will be just fine. (One could argue he’s helping the press by creating a narrative about his management of the program. Scrutiny on the head coach always sells.)

In situations like this, the players are the losers. Let them face the press. Let them answer the tough questions. Let them learn the value of accountability. Let them learn to communicate. Let them be vulnerable.

It will serve them well for the rest of this season, and for life.

5. Escape on Montlake

The light Pac-12 schedule in Week 8 produced two blowouts (UCLA over Stanford and Oregon over Washington State) and two tight games.

We addressed Utah’s narrow victory over USC above. The day’s other riveting affair unfolded in Seattle, where Arizona State nearly produced the upset of the year in college football.

The Sun Devils were 26.5-point underdogs against the mighty Huskies but led 7-6 early in the fourth quarter and were driving for a touchdown when UW cornerback Mishael Powell’s 89-yard Pick Six changed the game and saved UW’s season.

The Huskies held on for a 15-7 victory that extended their winning streak to 14 games.

Their last loss was Oct. 8, 2022, to Arizona State.

We expected a hangover on Montlake after the epic victory over Oregon, but this was even closer than imagined thanks to four turnovers by UW.

Quarterback Michael Penix threw two interceptions and looked nothing like a Heisman Trophy frontrunner. (Nor, for that matter, did USC’s Caleb Williams.)

But instead of focusing on UW’s performance, let’s note the effort put forth by Arizona State, which is playing for nothing except pride and has shown plenty of that under coach Kenny Dillingham.

Handed a postseason ban by the administration days before the season opener, the Sun Devils gave USC more than it expected, played Cal to a three-point game, pushed Colorado to the brink and nearly stunned the undefeated Huskies.

ASU has the worst record in the conference, but the effort level has been stellar on a weekly basis.

*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716

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Please note: Some questions have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Any truth to the talk about other conferences using remaining ‘Pac-2’ assets as a reason to invite Oregon State and Washington State? — @CelestialMosh

Let’s split this question into two buckets: One that addresses the legal weeds, the other that tackles the realignment landscape.

The outgoing schools are concerned about this very issue, according to a conference source. It’s one reason the ‘Pac-10’ are loath to give Washington State and Oregon State full control of the Pac-12 board.

Specifically, the worry is that WSU and OSU would retain all the assets once the 10 leave next summer, then simply join another conference — just as the outbound schools are doing.

In other words, they would be no different than everyone else, save for the delayed timing of their announced move … and the millions they would pocket.

We believe the Cougars and Beavers are serious about using conference assets to rebuild the Pac-12 — to the extent there are substantial assets — but cannot claim to know every detail of their plans.

(The Hotline reported last week that the Pac-12’s emergency reserves have been effectively wiped out.)

More than anything, the two schools want control of their own fate, wherever that takes them.

With regard to using the assets as leverage for access into a new conference, let’s be clear: Washington State and Oregon State are not joining the ACC, and anyone who spends a single second reading, writing, pondering or believing that outcome is wasting their time. Ignore any “reports” suggesting that scenario.

The schools don’t fit in the ACC in any regard. The geographic hurdles that accompanied Stanford and Cal were offset by the schools’ academic reputations and broad-based athletic success, plus the Bay Area media market’s appeal to ESPN (for ACC Network subscribers).

The Cougars and Beavers simply don’t bring those elements.

You never say never in realignment, except in this case.

The same goes, to a slightly lesser extent, for the Big 12, which is quite content with its 16-school configuration.

WSU and OSU are better fits for the Big 12, but they don’t bring enough of any particular realignment component to make it worthwhile for the conference and its network partners, ESPN and Fox.

Put another way, there is zero chance of WSU and OSU joining the ACC and a 0.1 percent chance of them joining the Big 12 anytime soon.

Which leaves the inevitable pairing of the Mountain West and the ‘Pac-2’ schools.

The only unknowns at this point are the starting date of their partnership, the name of the conference and the scope of the membership. (Will it be all 12 MW schools or just the top football programs?)

The Pac-12’s assets could prove valuable in making the marriage work by helping offset the exit fees and transition expenses for MW schools.

But in our humble opinion, that’s the only endgame for WSU and OSU with regard to whatever cash remains in the Pac-12 coffers. The ACC and Big 12 are not viable alternatives.

Any progress on Washington State and Oregon State bringing in the Mountain West schools to create the Pac-12 (or Pac-14)? Would they try to recruit any other schools to come along? — @MarcSheehan006

Yes, other schools are possible — anything is possible. WSU and OSU are taking great care to consider all options.

They could 1) join the Mountain West, 2) welcome all the MW schools in a reverse merger or 3) combine with only the top-tier MW football programs to form an eight- or 10-team league.

While the Cougars and Beavers are exchanging ideas and assessing scheduling models, final decisions are on hold while the Pac-12 legal process unfolds.

The ‘Pac-2’ and ‘Pac-10’ are in mediation, and our hunch is the sides will reach a settlement before the Nov. 14 preliminary injunction hearing.

If the ‘Pac-2’ schools decide to go their own way for a couple years, how will people watch games? — @TWamsgans

We’re skeptical WSU and OSU could land any type of deal with a national media company, streaming, linear or otherwise.

The best bet: They strike deals with local TV stations to broadcast games on a statewide or regional basis in a manner that roughly resembles the Pac-12’s media contracts in the 1990s, when games not carried by Fox would appear on a local over-the-air TV station.

There’s one caveat, however: We don’t know what will become of the Pac-12 Networks starting next summer, when 10 schools leave and the distribution contracts expire.

If the Cougars and Beavers rebuild the conference, they could potentially use the networks’ infrastructure as a means of streaming their games.

Could the Pac-12 have pulled a Rod Tidwell (from the movie “Jerry Maguire”) after looking at the Apple contract and bet on itself by waiting until after the football season to negotiate a TV deal? Was that an option? — @brycetacoma

Yes, it was an option, and we addressed that very issue a few weeks ago.

Had the Pac-12 bet on itself and taken the media rights negotiations into the fall, the conference would have a slew of motivated buyers right now.

Of course, that strategy would have required more faith in commissioner George Kliavkoff, greater unity among the presidents and a larger appetite for risk by institutions of higher education that are inherently risk-averse.

If the negotiations were ongoing, the conference could have used Apple’s bid to drive up the price for ESPN, Fox and any other interested networks — not to Big Ten or SEC levels, of course, but into the mid-$30 million range annually (per school).

That would have secured the grant-of-rights signatures from all 10 schools.

Which unequal revenue distribution system is most likely to be adopted: Equal grant-of-rights sharing with all postseason football and basketball revenues being divided 50/50 with the winning school and conference? Or all postseason football and basketball revenue going to the winning school? — James Skinner

Revenue-sharing is inevitable in every power conference, although the process could take longer in some leagues than others. Ohio State, for example, will continue to share revenue with Rutgers for only so many years.

But as you mentioned, there are different forms.

Our sense is that more athletic directors view sharing from the center (the regular-season broadcast revenue) as a recipe for internal friction.

Instead, they favor sharing postseason revenue: If you earn it, you keep it.

The ACC is working to implement that very system. Others will follow.

If the University of California Board of Regents had ordered UCLA to stay in the Pac-12, would that have saved the conference? I can understand the regents’ decision only if UCLA’s financial situation was not salvageable without Big Ten money. — nelangland

We won’t debate whether the regents should have forced the Bruins to remain in the Pac-12. That’s a different issue entirely.

But had they directed UCLA to stay put, the Pac-12 absolutely would be alive and well right now, with a media deal that more than cleared the bar in annual revenue and media exposure.

Our best guess: The conference would have partnered with ESPN as the primary rights-holder and sold smaller packages to Fox and Amazon.

The total value would have been in the $35 million to $40 million range (per school per year).

Why does the Pac-12 still run promotional ads for football during games? It’s not like 10 teams will still be in the conference. Seems like they could pocket the money and save it for something else. — @Milkbear79

I can’t give you a specific answer but would guess the ads were cut prior to Black Friday, Aug. 4, the day the conference collapsed.

And once the ads were cut, there was no reason to keep them off the air. The Pac-12 Networks still have a duty to promote the conference and the schools — they are a marketing tool, after all.

Next year, will you rename the Pac-12 Hotline to the Pac2/ACC/Big12/BigTen Hotline? —  @kmasterman

I haven’t finalized the details, which depend in part on what happens to Washington State and Oregon State.

But this much is certain: The Hotline will continue to cover the schools and the issues that matter to them, on the field and off, regardless of conference affiliation.

We aren’t going anywhere.

One of the Hotline’s continual goals is to help fans navigate the shifting, confusing world of major college sports (think: Virgil, who helps guide Dante through the Inferno and Purgatorio).

That role doesn’t change. In fact, it becomes more important.

*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716

*** Follow me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline

*** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference, and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference.

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Now, let’s cast an eye to what should be a riveting stretch run.

The conference has six ranked teams, three Heisman Trophy contenders, a handful of playoff hopefuls and loads of high-profile games on the schedule.

Presenting our predictions for the second half, in rough chronological order.

1. Utah quarterback Cam Rising doesn’t set foot on the field this season due to a prolonged recovery from knee surgery. But in their ongoing attempt to keep opponents guessing, the Utes release blurry drone footage of what appears to be Rising in full uniform, working with the first team. Closer inspection reveals it’s actually 305-pound backup right guard Falcon Kaumatule wearing No. 7 and a knee brace. Even without Rising, the Utes win nine games in one of Kyle Whittingham’s finest coaching jobs.

2. Oregon State and Washington State settle their lawsuit against the Pac-12 before the preliminary injunction hearing in Whitman County, Wash., on Nov. 14. The plaintiffs and defendants agree to a bifurcated governance structure in which an independent arbiter determines which issues impact all 12 schools and which affect only the ‘Pac-2.’ The source of the arbiter’s unlikely success? He’s equally disliked by both sides of the dispute. His name: Larry Scott.

3. On Nov. 12, the day after USC allows 52 points in a loss at Oregon, coach Lincoln Riley relents to public pressure and dismisses defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

4. A week later, the Trojans hold UCLA to 49 points in a narrow victory in front of 73,286 fans at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Riley is hailed as a genius by USC fans.

5. That same day, Stanford beats Cal 12-11 in front of 17,328 fans at Stanford Stadium. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips is informed of the outcome while accompanying the Stanford volleyball team on its trip to USC and UCLA.

6. Oregon State beats Washington in an overtime thriller, aided by a favorable fourth-down spot that draws UW’s ire but is not overturned by the instant replay booth. However, the Beavers fall one game short of a berth in the conference championship because of an earlier loss to Arizona.

7. ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ broadcasts from Eugene on the morning of the USC-Oregon game. The guest picker: Gonzaga basketball coach Mark Few. The 1987 Oregon graduate picks the Ducks to win, then uses the occasion to announce Gonzaga will join the Big 12.

8. Washington State’s Jake Dickert doesn’t leave Pullman to become the next coach at Michigan State as the Cougars’ second-half skid undermines his candidacy.

9. Washington’s Kalen DeBoer receives a new contract that doubles his salary, to about $8 million annually, to prevent him from becoming the next coach at Michigan State. “I didn’t want to do it,” UW president Ana Mari Cauce says, “but I wanted to keep my job.”

10. The Pac-12 issues a public mea culpa for an egregious officiating decision. We don’t know the specifics of the gaffe or which team will be victimized — Washington State is a good bet — but the conference doesn’t make it through the season without a display of utter incompetence. The only question is whether there’s a second. And a third.

11. Arizona State goes winless in conference play for the first time since joining the Pac-12 in 1978 as the injuries and postseason ban are too great to overcome. When the season ends, the NCAA slaps the Sun Devils with minor penalties for recruiting violations and calls the administration’s self-imposed sanctions excessive. “Bowl bans are so pre-COVID. We don’t do that stuff anymore.”

12. Arizona clinches a bowl berth for the first time since 2017 behind freshman quarterback Noah Fifita. The Big 12 promptly rescinds its membership invitation and explains that the Wildcats joined the conference under false pretenses, having claimed to be a basketball school.

13. Colorado misses the postseason despite the 3-0 start and spending a month at the center of the sport. CU fans everywhere rejoice as the late-season collapse makes coach Deion Sanders less attractive for openings across college football, the NFL and the Biden Administration.

14. Commissioner George Kliavkoff refuses to hold a news conference prior to the Pac-12 championship game, continuing a stretch of radio silence that began with the collapse of the conference on Aug. 4. Nobody cares.

15. One-loss Washington defeats one-loss Oregon in the conference title game and reaches the College Football Playoff, with the Ducks accepting a Fiesta Bowl invitation as the consolation prize. The Huskies’ victory is made possible when Oregon, leading by six points in the final minute, attempts to convert fourth-and-17 from its own 20. The off-tackle run fails, and UW scores the winning touchdown.

Enjoy the stretch run, everyone.

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This is what’s next: Both teams are heavy favorites at home this week, with UW hosting Arizona State and Oregon welcoming Washington State.

Will they execute as expected? Or are the Huskies and Ducks destined to spend the weekend in Letdown City after their taxing affair a few days ago?

For context, the Hotline tracked how the bitter rivals have fared historically in the game immediately after their annual showdown.

We checked two decades of point spreads and final scores and learned the following:

— Oregon is 15-4 straight up the game after playing UW.

— Washington is 4-15 immediately after facing Oregon.

The discrepancy in success makes some sense. For many of those 19 seasons — the teams didn’t play each other in 2020 — the Ducks had a powerhouse team and the Huskies were, at best, mediocre.

For that reason, we also examined how the teams performed against the point spread, because oddsmakers take into account the quality of each team when setting the weekly lines.

In that regard, as well, Oregon has outperformed UW.

— The Ducks are 10-8-1 against the spread in the game after playing Washington.

— The Huskies are 6-13 against the number after facing Oregon.

UW’s recent post-Oregon history includes a 2021 date with the team it plays this week, Arizona State. In 2021, the Huskies were six-point home underdogs against ASU and managed to cover the spread in a 35-30 loss.

Meanwhile, the Ducks have played this weekend’s opponent, Washington State, three times in the past five years immediately after facing Washington. Oregon pushed in 2021 and failed to cover the spread against WSU in both 2018-19.

Overall, Oregon is 5-0-1 against the spread this season, while Washington is 3-2-1.

To the picks …

Last week: 3-2-1
Season: 23-22-1
Five-star special: 5-2

All picks against the spreadLines taken from BetMGM (via VegasInsider.com)

(All times Pacific)

Idle: Arizona, Cal, Colorado and Oregon State

Washington State at Oregon

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. on ABC
Line: Oregon -20 (total: 62.5)
Comment: The Ducks have won four in a row in the series, including a three-point thriller last year in Pullman. This looked like a high-level matchup until WSU dropped its past two games, to UCLA and Arizona, and looked bad in both. The offense has stalled out, with quarterback Cam Ward in a deep funk. Unless the Cougars find their September mojo, they stand little chance against Oregon’s balanced attack and talent at the line of scrimmage. Ward will be on the run all afternoon, with the Cougars playing from behind … far behind. Pick: Oregon

Utah at USC

Kickoff: 5 p.m. on FOX
Line: USC -7 (total: 56)
Comment: The latest installment of what has become a terrific series is also the last scheduled meeting between the former South division rivals. The Utes mastered USC twice last season, but the dynamics have changed on Utah’s end with the prolonged absence of injured quarterback Cam Rising. The Trojans are essentially the same team as last year, with a prolific offense and turnstile defense. Are the Utes equipped to take advantage, control the clock and wear down USC’s front seven? We’re skeptical that they can score frequently enough to keep pace — and that their defense can hold off USC quarterback Caleb Williams in the second half. Pick: USC

UCLA at Stanford

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
Line: UCLA -17 (total: 53.5)
Comment: The Bruins have not played well on the road, with losses at Utah and Oregon State that featured erratic performances by freshman quarterback Dante Moore (43 percent completion, four interceptions). Granted, Stanford’s defense isn’t as stout as those found in Salt Lake City and Corvallis. But the Cardinal has a handful of disruptors and, more importantly, discovered a quarterback and momentum during the historic 29-point comeback at Colorado last week. UCLA should prevail, but that feels like a few points too many. Pick: Stanford

Arizona State at Washington

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. on FS1
Line: Washington -26.5 (total: 58.5)
Comment: Easy to envision a slow start by the Huskies and some trick plays from Arizona State, which had two weeks to prepare. Eventually, UW should find its rhythm and take charge, but that shift could be too late to cover what’s effectively a four-touchdown betting line. Of note: ASU has won 13 of the past 15 matchups, with a few wins coming as a significant underdog — like last season, when the Sun Devils won outright as a 13-point underdog. Pick: Arizona State

Straight-up winners: Oregon, USC, UCLA and Washington

Five-star special: Stanford. In what should be a relatively low-scoring affair, 17 points feels like 20. And that’s too much for our liking.

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— The Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl will host the College Football Playoff semifinals, leaving the Pac-12 champion to participate in the Fiesta, Peach or Cotton bowls unless it qualifies for the CFP.

— The Pac-12 is contractually tied to seven games: the New Year’s Six, Alamo, Las Vegas, Holiday, Sun, LA and Independence bowls.

The bowl projections will be published in this space each Tuesday.

One 24-hour stretch altered the postseason outlook for two teams for the remainder of the season.

With an impressive upset, Arizona’s bowl math became immeasurably easier down the stretch.

With a momentous collapse, Colorado’s math grew exponentially more difficult.

Let’s start with the Wildcats, who dominated Washington State last weekend (as 8.5-point underdogs) and are 4-3 overall. They must win two of their final five games to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2017.

Three of their remaining games are at home — but against ranked opponents: Oregon State, UCLA and Utah.

Meanwhile, the two road opponents are struggling: Colorado, which has dropped three of its past four, and Arizona State, which has one victory.

Given Arizona’s performance of late, with freshman quarterback Noah Fifita playing like a veteran and the defense rising to the occasion each week — and considering the state of the opposition — the Wildcats don’t have any games that could be viewed as losses before they even take the field.

In fact, it’s not unreasonable to think they could win four of the five if everything breaks right.

A reasonable assessment based on current affairs pegs Arizona for three more wins: Arizona State and two of the other four (with Oregon State as the most challenging).

At minimum, the Wildcats should win two of five. If they don’t get to 6-6, something has gone very wrong.

For Colorado, everything must break right.

The Buffaloes were on course for a bowl berth late last week, with four victories and a 29-0 halftime lead over Stanford.

But the second-half implosion and 46-43 overtime loss to Stanford added a layer of complication to their bowl math.

Like Arizona, the Buffaloes are 4-3. Unlike Arizona, their schedule isn’t populated with winnable games.

CU has three difficult road assignments (UCLA, Washington State and Utah) and two challenging home games (Arizona and Oregon State).

Put another way: The Buffs need two more wins but have already played Stanford and ASU and don’t face Cal. They will be underdogs in four, and possibly all five of their remaining games.

At least one upset is required for a team that struggled to beat winless (in league play) ASU and couldn’t hold a huge lead over previously winless Stanford.

Arizona and Colorado have the same record and need the same number of wins down the stretch. But nothing else about their situations is comparable.

To the bowl projections …

College Football Playoff/Rose Bowl

Team: Washington (6-0)
Home games (three): Arizona State, Utah, WSU
Road games (three): Stanford, USC, Oregon State
Comment: The epic victory over Oregon was merely the first in a barrage of massive games for the Huskies as they pursue the Pac-12’s first playoff berth since UW made the cut in 2016.

New Year’s Six/Fiesta Bowl

Team: Oregon (5-1)
Home games remaining (four): WSU, Cal, USC, Oregon State
Road games remaining (two): Utah, Arizona State
Comment: We expect the Ducks and Huskies to meet again in Las Vegas in the last game of the final Pac-12 season. And as long as neither takes a third loss, both should receive New Year’s Six invitations.

Alamo Bowl

Team: Oregon State (6-1)
Home games (two): Stanford, Washington
Road games (three): Arizona, Colorado, Oregon
Comment: Everything hinges on getting through the next three unscathed so the final fortnight (Washington and Oregon) becomes make-or-break for a spot in the conference championship and, perhaps, the New Year’s Six.

Las Vegas Bowl

Team: USC (6-1)
Home games (three): Utah, Washington, UCLA
Road games (two): Cal, Oregon
Comment: If you suspect the Trojans could lose three or four more games, join the crowd. Our skepticism is based not only in the flameout at Notre Dame but also in the subpar showings against Colorado and Arizona.

Holiday Bowl

Team: Utah (5-1)
Home games (three): Oregon, Arizona State, Colorado
Road games (three): USC, Washington, Arizona
Comment: We have considered the possibility of the Utes reaching, then winning the conference championship game without Cam Rising. But even for a program as solidly built as Utah, that seems like a bridge too treacherous to cross.

Sun Bowl

Team: Arizona (4-3)
Home games (three): Oregon State, UCLA, Utah
Road games (two): Colorado, Arizona State
Comment: Important procedural note: The Alamo, Las Vegas and Holiday bowls can select one team over another as long as there is no more than a one-game difference in conference record. But starting with the Sun, bowl officials must invite teams in order of conference record.

LA Bowl

Team: UCLA (4-2)
Home games (three): Colorado, Arizona State, Cal
Road games (three): Stanford, Arizona, USC
Comment: The Bruins should win all three at home and at least one of the road games, which gets them to 5-4 in league play. But even if they are in line for the Sun, bowl executives could push for an alternate team since UCLA was in El Paso last year and repeat participants are frowned upon.

At-large bowl

Team: Washington State (4-2)
Home games (two): Stanford, Colorado
Road games (four): Oregon, Arizona State, Cal, Washington
Comment: As bad as WSU has looked recently, the schedule sets up for at least two wins and as many as four. We’ll set the Holiday Bowl as the Cougars’ postseason ceiling. The floor? Their couch.

Non-qualifier

Team: Colorado (4-3)
Home games (two): Oregon State, Arizona
Road games (three): UCLA, WSU, Utah
Comment: Could one bad half at home against a second-rate team end up costing CU a bowl berth? Absolutely.

Non-qualifier

Team: Cal (3-4)
Home games (two): USC, WSU
Road games (three): Oregon, Stanford, UCLA
Comment: The key to everything is the USC game, which suddenly looks winnable. (Of note: The Bears lost by six last year in the Coliseum.) Topple the Trojans, and the bowl math turns workable.

Non-qualifier

Team: Stanford (2-4)
Home games (four): UCLA, Washington, Cal, Notre Dame
Road games (two): WSU, Oregon State
Comment: As we noted early in the season, success at the top of the Pac-12 depends on failure at the bottom. If Stanford plays well down the stretch, someone’s postseason path will get more complicated.

Ineligible

Team: Arizona State (1-5)
Home games (three): WSU, Oregon, Arizona
Road games (three): Washington, Utah, UCLA
Comment: Nothing can offset the bowl ban, but blocking Arizona’s postseason path would help diminish the pain and frustration.

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(All times Pacific)

1. Air Force (6-0/4-0)

Last week: 3
Result: beat Wyoming 34-27
Next up: at Navy (9 a.m. on CBS)
Comment: Full disclosure: The Falcons are No. 20 in my Associated Press ballot, which was submitted Saturday night. And they are the MW’s only representative.

2. Wyoming (5-2/2-1)

Last week: 1
Result: lost at Air Force 34-27
Next up: idle
Comment: Winning in Colorado Springs one week after toppling Fresno State was a task too daunting for the Cowboys. We were impressed they went point-for-point with the Falcons deep into the fourth quarter.

3. Fresno State (6-1/2-1)

Last week: 2
Result: won at Utah State 37-32
Next up: idle
Comment: Given Boise State’s clear mediocrity and San Diego State’s obvious shortcomings, the Bulldogs should be significant favorites in each game the rest of the way. So let’s presume 11-1 unless there’s a result to the contrary.

4. Colorado State (3-3/1-1)

Last week: 6
Result: beat Boise State 31-30
Next up: at UNLV (4 p.m. on the MW Network)
Comment: For those unaware, the Rams scored three touchdowns in the final four minutes to stun BSU. The rally culminated with an 88-yard drive that spanned 32 seconds and featured a 33-yard touchdown pass as time expired. Wow. Just, wow.

5. Utah State (3-4/1-2)

Last week: 5
Result: lost to Fresno State 37-32
Next up: at San Jose State (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: The Aggies’ record is more than a tad deceiving. Their four losses have come against teams (Iowa, James Madison, Air Force and Fresno State) that have a combined record of 24-2. That’s right, 24-2.

6. Boise State (3-4/2-1)

Last week: 4
Result: lost at Colorado State 31-30
Next up: idle
Comment: The Broncos have lost five or more games only twice this century, in Chris Petersen’s final year (2013) and in Andy Avalos’ first (2021). With a difficult schedule looming, there are plenty of chances for another dive to five.

7. San Jose State (2-5/1-2)

Last week: 7
Result: won at New Mexico 52-24
Next up: vs. Utah State (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: Win this week, and the Spartans have a real chance to sneak into the postseason. Lose this week, and the margin for error vanishes — a treacherous position with Fresno State looming.

8. UNLV (5-1/2-0)

Last week: 8
Result: won at Nevada 45-27
Next up: vs. Colorado State (4 p.m. on the MW Network)
Comment: Winning five of the first six games at UNLV is a minor miracle. But taking the next step, to win No. 6, will be more difficult than it seems.

9. San Diego State (3-4/1-2)

Last week: 9
Result: won at Hawaii 41-34
Next up: vs. Nevada (6 p.m. on FS2)
Comment: Good time to remind fans that the Aztecs have a 13-game season, leaving five opportunities to win three games. Because they need all the chances they can get.

10. Hawaii (2-5/0-2)

Last week: 10
Result: lost to San Diego State 41-34
Next up: at New Mexico (3 p.m. on Spectrum Sports)
Comment: A winless conference season could hinge on the outcome of Hawaii’s trip to Reno in early November, because it’s tough to spot another victory.

11. New Mexico (2-4/0-2)

Last week: 11
Result: lost to San Jose State 52-24
Next up: vs. Hawaii (3 p.m. on Spectrum Sports)
Comment: Too much emphasis is placed on coaching adjustments, unless a three-point halftime lead dissolves into a 28-point loss. And then not enough emphasis is placed on coaching adjustments.

12. Nevada (0-6/0-2)

Last week: 12
Result: lost to UNLV 45-27
Next up: at San Diego State (6 p.m. on FS2)
Comment: Winless teams in major college football: Nevada and Sam Houston. That’s it. Just those two.

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But the relevant comparison for Stanford is 16 years old.

As first-year coach Troy Taylor attempts to rebuild the program, the 46-43 double-overtime escape in Boulder echoes Stanford’s stunning upset of USC under another first-year head coach trying to revive the program.

For Taylor, Oct. 13, 2023 is equivalent to Jim Harbaugh’s miracle on Oct. 6, 2007.

Yes, the trappings are different.

Back then, Stanford was a 41-point underdog, whereas the point spread Friday was barely in the double digits (11.5 points).

And, of course, this Colorado team isn’t in the same stratosphere as the USC powerhouse Stanford toppled on that surreal evening in the L.A. Coliseum. Those Trojans were on their way to the Rose Bowl; these Buffaloes (4-3) will be fortunate to qualify for any bowl.

But the impact of the 2023 comeback and the 2007 upset feel similar given Stanford’s complicated internal dynamics.

Harbaugh had been on the job for 10 months and was attempting to revive a program at the bottom of the conference — a program that not only lacked the talent and depth necessary to win but also was devoid of the resources and institutional commitment required to compete with the best in the Pac-12.

Stanford didn’t pay competitive salaries for assistants or provide reasonable on-campus housing for the football staff, thus making it difficult to retain quality coaches.

It lacked the infrastructure to comb the country for elite recruits who also could meet the school’s admissions requirements.

It viewed football as a necessary evil, not a powerful potential marketing tool for the university.

The Cardinal ventured into the Coliseum that afternoon with a 1-3 record, fresh off a blowout home loss to Arizona State, and was given no chance against an opponent that hadn’t lost at home in six years.

The 24-23 victory wasn’t merely the biggest upset in college football history (based on the point spread); it changed the perception of the program, legitimized Harbaugh’s tenure and provided fuel for his resuscitation operation.

Now here comes Taylor, 10 months into his tenure in command of a program that has fallen behind its peers on multiple levels: Weak lines of scrimmage. Substandard perimeter speed. No obvious starting quarterback. And ominous off-the-field forces.

The equivalent to Stanford’s 2007 resource challenges are the transfer portal and name, image and likeness (NIL) — the twin pillars of roster-building for most Power Five schools but not, of course, for the Cardinal.

Taylor must build a competitive roster the old-fashioned way, with high school recruits, and hope for some flexibility from the university with regard to transfers.

Both on and off the field, it’s 2007 all over again for Stanford.

Which brings us back to the present. To the unlikely events that unfolded Friday night in Boulder.

Stanford had two weeks to prepare for the Buffaloes but played like it had two days to get ready. It was slow, sloppy and uninspired in the first half as CU powered to a 29-0 lead.

Taylor indicated after the game that his halftime message was understated — “I want to see how you compete,” he told the players — and we can imagine a stark contrast to Harbaugh’s blazing pregame speech in the Coliseum locker room 16 years earlier.

But Taylor’s matter-of-fact approach landed just right. The Cardinal scored on its first possession of the second half and on every subsequent possession through the second overtime period. It walked out of a stunned, silent Folsom Field at 12:21 a.m. (Mountain Time) with a victory that has few equals in the conference’s 108-year history.

It was a statement win for Taylor, partly because of the opponent — Colorado coach Deion Sanders is the center of the college football universe in much the same fashion as USC’s Pete Carroll in the mid-2000s — and partly because of how it happened.

Rallying from 29 points down isn’t identical to winning as a 41-point underdog, but it’s close enough to be a fraternal twin.

The upset of USC didn’t change the trajectory of Stanford’s season; the Cardinal lost five of its next seven games and finished with a 4-8 record.

Don’t expect anything different this time around for Stanford (2-4), especially with a stretch-run schedule that features four ranked teams.

Instead, the impact of the upset lies in the legitimacy it lends to Taylor’s rebuild, just as the USC takedown did for Harbaugh’s reclamation project a decade and a half ago.

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