Since debuting at No. 22 in the first College Football Playoff rankings, No. 8 UCLA has been a steady riser and now appears in good position for a playoff spot if it beats Stanford on Friday and Oregon in the Pac-12 championship game. The Ducks remain firmly at No. 2, while No. 11 Arizona and No. 13 Arizona State could still climb back into the mix with a win and some help from the Cardinal.
Here's where they stand:
Oregon
Record: 10-1 (7-1)
Rank: 2
Next big obstacle: Saturday at Oregon State
Reason for optimism: Nothing has changed since last week for the Ducks, who remain a lock for the playoff with wins against Oregon State and whichever team comes out of the Pac-12 South. Even if it loses to Oregon State and wins the Pac-12 title game, Oregon would have a strong case for inclusion. The Ducks' current streak of six games of scoring at least 40 points is twice as long as the second-longest active streak in the country (Baylor).
Cause for concern: Anything would really be nitpicking at this point, but to use an old cliché, anything can happen in a rivalry game. The Beavers don't have one of their stronger teams, but they were still good enough to derail Arizona State a couple weeks ago and last year's Civil War was about as close as it comes.
Whom they'll be rooting for this week: No. 15 Auburn over No. 1 Alabama
UCLA
Record: 9-2 (6-2)
Rank: 8
Next big obstacle: Nov. Friday vs. Stanford
Reason for optimism: That Alabama and Oregon both have losses, yet are still ranked ahead of undefeated Florida State is a great sign for UCLA. It shows the selection committee is placing an emphasis on strength of schedule which gives hope for the Bruins that despite having two losses, they could jump one-loss teams with softer schedules. If UCLA wins out, it should expect to be in the playoff.
Cause for concern: Even if things break correctly, UCLA isn't assured anything. The committee could look back at some of its less impressive wins – double overtime against two-win Colorado doesn't scream “playoff team” -- and hold that against the Bruins should it come down to them or another team for the No. 4 spot.
Whom they'll be rooting for this week: No. 19 Ole Miss over No. 4 Mississippi State; Texas over No. 5 TCU; Michigan over No. 6 Ohio State; Texas Tech over No. 7 Baylor.
Arizona
Record: 9-2 (6-2)
Rank: 11
Next big obstacle: Friday vs. Arizona State
Reason for optimism: If Arizona beats ASU and Oregon, it would be no lower than No. 7 and as the Pac-12 champion would receive a fair amount of consideration for the final spot. Neither of the Wildcats' losses – USC after a missed field goal and on the road against UCLA – are unforgiveable and Arizona benefits from the Pac-12's overall strength. Among teams with two losses or less, Arizona's road win against No. 2 Oregon is the most impressive.
Cause for concern: If Stanford doesn't beat UCLA, Arizona doesn't have a chance.
Whom they'll be rooting for this week: Stanford over No. 8 UCLA
Arizona State
Record: 9-2 (6-2)
Rank: 13
Next big obstacle: Friday at Arizona
Reason for optimism: The Pac-12 champion, whoever it is, will be considered. That much has been clear by the committee's consistency in ranking Pac-12 teams favorably against the rest of the country. And because Arizona State is still in the mix to win the conference, a conceivable path to the playoff remains.
Cause for concern: The Sun Devils are ranked behind five two-loss teams, need UCLA to lose to Stanford, need to win on the road in the Territorial Cup and lost by 35 points (to UCLA) and to a team with a losing record (Oregon State). Their only win against a team ranked by the committee came at home against the No. 25 team (Utah) in overtime.
Whom they'll be rooting for this week: Stanford over UCLA