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Pac-12 Football: Week 13 power rankings

By Brad Weiss

Nov 19, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) holds the Stanford Axe after a win over the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. Stanford defeated California 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) holds the Stanford Axe after a win over the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. Stanford defeated California 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau (13) celebrates a rushing touchdown by running back Phillip Lindsay (23) (background) in the fourth quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes defeated the Cougars 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau (13) celebrates a rushing touchdown by running back Phillip Lindsay (23) (background) in the fourth quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes defeated the Cougars 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Colorado Buffaloes continued their improbable season on Saturday, beating a very good Washington State team at home. The win was their fifth straight, and with a win this week, they can clinch a spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game. They will have to beat Utah to do it, as USC will win the South if they win and the Buffaloes lose.

Quarterback Sefo Liufau did a ton of damage on the ground and through the air, leading his team to their biggest win as a program since joining the Pac-12. Liufau was banged up during the game, and had to miss a few plays, but he was not going to sit on the sidelines in this one. He ended the game throwing for 345 yards, while rushing for three scores. He became the second player in school history to throw for 300 yards, and rush for 100 in the same game.

Star running back Phillip Lindsay had a special day running the ball, as he became the first Colorado running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since 2010. Colorado will need both Liufau and Lindsay to have a big game this week, as the Utes will be fired up to knock the Buffaloes out of contention in the Pac-12 South. The Buffaloes lost to USC early in the year, so a USC win and Colorado loss would put the Trojans into the title game.

Washington has relied on the strong right arm of Jake Browning to lead them all season, but this past weekend, it was their defense that led the way. The Huskies defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils for the first time in the last 11 meetings, as the defense held them to under 90 yards of total offense through three quarters. The Sun Devils grabbed some points in the fourth quarter, but the game was decided long before that.

The Huskies jumped out to a 24-0 halftime lead, as Browning and running back Myles Gaskin both had big days. Browning threw for over 330 yards and three touchdowns, while Gaskin rushed for 127 yards and a score. Wide receivers Dante Pettis and John Ross combined for 19 catches and 200 yards in the contest, as the Huskies got back on the winning track.

Washington will take on the Washington State Cougars this week in the Apple Cup, as the Huskies are trying to clinch their spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Browning and company are still very much alive in the College Football Playoff race as well and will need a solid win against the Cougars to bolster their case for inclusion. Washington State saw their eight-game winning streak end this past weekend, so they will definitely be fired up heading into this weekend.

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