So, seventh-ranked Stanford looks like a lock for the Pac-12 North title, right? Not so fast.
Oregon visits the Cardinal this weekend, and while the Ducks are underdogs, there's still a chance — albeit an improbable one — that they could defend their Pac-12 championship. But there are a couple of moving parts.
Here's the scenario: Oregon must beat Stanford then win its final two games against USC and Oregon State. The Ducks will also need the Cardinal to lose in the Big Game to Cal.
Stanford, which finishes out the regular season with an out-of-conference game against Notre Dame, clinches the North outright with a victory over Oregon on Saturday, and indeed, the Cardinal (8-1, 7-0 Pac-12) are favored.