ESPN College Football

2011 overall record: 3-9

2011 conference record: 3-6 (fifth in North)

Returning starters: offense: 8; defense: 8; kicker/punter: 1

Top returners
QB Sean Mannion, DB Jordan Poyer, WR Markus Wheaton, WR Brandin Cooks, DE Scott Crichton, DB Rashaad Reynolds, OL Josh Andrews, S Anthony Watkins.

Key losses
WR James Rodgers, S Lance Mitchell, C Grant Johnson, DT Fred Thompson (passed away last December, could have been in contention for starting spot).

2011 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Malcolm Agnew* (423 yards)
Passing: Sean Mannion* (3,328 yards)
Receiving: Markus Wheaton* (986 yards)
Tackles: Anthony Watkins* (85)
Sacks: Scott Crichton* (6)
Interceptions: Jordan Poyer* (4)

Spring answers

1. Running game revival: Head coach Mike Riley has been adamant that his team will be better at running the ball in 2012. The Beavers rotated through four backs last season -- mostly because of injuries -- but redshirt freshman Storm Woods has come on strong in the spring. Though a pecking order hasn't been established, it's safe to say that the Beavers will have a deep rotation.

2. Secondary depth is solid: With Watkins sidelined during the spring with a shoulder injury, it opened up opportunities for Ryan Murphy and Tyrequek Zimmerman to replace the graduated Lance Mitchell. Murphy, last year's nickelback, looks like he's won the job to start along Watkins. Pair that with Poyer and Reynolds and the Beavers should be solid in the defensive backfield.

3. LB corps filling out: D.J. Welch looks like the heir apparent to Cam Collins on the strong side. Feti Unga, who was among the conference leaders in tackles last year prior to a knee injury, appears to be back and ready to go for the fall. Michael Doctor also appears more comfortable as he readies for his second year as a starter. Rueben Robinson and Cade Cowdin should provide the Beavers with some good depth across the board.

Fall questions

1. Offensive line issues: With only eight healthy linemen this spring, there wasn't much of an opportunity to fill out a starting five. Riley said he doesn't like leaving spring without knowing who his starters are, but it's just something they have to deal with. Andrews helps solidify the line and Grant Enger and Colin Kelly will be in the mix when they return from injury. But with a big influx of freshmen, Riley has essentially said all positions are up for grabs.

2. Has Mannion taken the next step? If you ask Riley, he has. If you ask Mannion, he has. But it won't be known until he steps on to the field. He showed last season that he has the potential to be an A-list quarterback in this conference. Better decisions should improve his 16-to-18 touchdown to interception ratio and an improved running game will almost certainly be a plus.

3. Who is No. 3 at WR? We know about Wheaton. We know that Cooks is up and coming. But who is going to be that No. 3 option for Mannion? Jordan Bishop is penciled in as the slot guy, but he missed his second straight spring. That opened the door for Obum Gwacham to emerge as the potential No. 3. He's Wheaton's immediate backup on the outside, but Riley couldn't help but gush about Gwacham's performance this spring.

There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. Some kind of high-powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.

• For now, all Nick Foles can do is sit and wait. Juron Criner could be the fourth or fifth receiver taken in the draft.
• Vontaze Burfict and Jamaar Jarrett were two of six players who failed drug tests at the NFL combine.
• Previewing the Bay Area players in the draft, including Cal, Stanford and one for the San Jose State fan who accidentally stumbled on to the Pac-12 blog (hang out for a while, you're welcome anytime).
• Lots of teams showing interest in Ryan Miller. A little love for the guy behind the camera at Colorado.
• Oregon players are fired up for the spring game. Is LaMichael James headed to the (cue the music) San Diego, super Chargers?
• James Rodgers has a pretty good fallback in case the NFL doesn't work out.
• More insight on UCLA's great quarterback debate.
• A USC-centric draft preview.
• Kyle Whittingham was happy with Utah's spring.
• More on new Washington commit Jaimie Bryant.
• The Spokesman-Review gives a really good position-by-position breakdown of WSU.

Heading into the 2010 season, it was not uncommon for media sorts to volunteer Oregon State as a program that had the best staff of assistant coaches in the Pac-10.

Why? Good numbers without stockpiles of elite recruits. Non-elite recruits becoming NFL draft choices. Thirty-six wins over the previous four seasons. You know, the usual suspects.

Oh, but how two down seasons can change things. After going a combined 8-16 over the past two years, many Beavers fans are either calling for head coach Mike Riley's head, or they are at least calling for the heads of his coordinators: Mark Banker on defense and Danny Langsdorf on offense.

How quickly can things change? Well, I wrote this heading into 2010 as part of a "Don't be surprised if..." series: "Don't be surprised if ... Beavers offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf becomes a hot head-coaching candidate when new starting quarterback Ryan Katz posts surprisingly strong numbers this fall."

Katz posted pretty good numbers in 2010 -- 60 percent completion rate, 18 TDs, 11 interceptions -- but he was promptly and surprisingly displaced as the starter by redshirt freshman Sean Mannion at the beginning of the 2011 season. And Langsdorf is now fighting for his job instead of presiding over his own program.

In fact, there now appears to be some question as to whether Riley will take over play-calling responsibilities from Langsdorf in 2012, which Riley gave to Langsdorf midway through the 2008 season. This question is being -- legitimately -- asked because Riley is calling plays this spring.

Riley was noncommittal -- and a tad uncomfortable -- with this line of inquiry Monday, and you can see video of his thoughts here. He called it "not a big deal." He said he was calling plays so he could see how the offense reacted against certain looks from the defense: "It's a way to orchestrate a big-picture look," he said.

When asked if it was for spring only, he said, "For right now, it's only for spring."

That qualifies as a "maybe," not a "Yes" or "No."

So here's my defense of Langsdorf, who also coaches the Beavers QBs. It might not be completely comforting for Beavers fans, but I think it's fair and accurate: The reason the Beavers offense has struggled the past two seasons ... drum roll please ... is a lack of good players.

I know: Thud.

The 2010 season likely would have been different if receiver James Rodgers hadn't blown out his knee during an impressive win at Arizona on Oct. 9. And the Beavers would have qualified for a bowl game if typically reliable tight end Joe Halahuni hadn't dropped a 2-point conversion that would have beaten homestanding Washington in double-overtime.

2011? Well, that was just pretty lousy. Riley, Langsdorf, Banker, the players -- everyone associated with the program -- surely spent some time wondering where they failed.

Still, as the Pac-12 blog observed while praising Langsdorf just two years ago:

In his six seasons as offensive coordinator, the Beavers have posted five of their top-nine all-time seasons of total offense. Remember the early careers of quarterbacks Matt Moore, Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao? One word: Yucky. Remember their late careers? Two words: Dramatic transformation. Canfield earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors in 2009 and joined Moore in the NFL.

In 2008, with Langsdorf calling plays, the Beavers ranked 32nd in the nation with 30.5 points per game and 30th in the nation with 407.1 yards per game. In 2009, they ranked 26th in points (31.5 ppg) and 34th in yards (410.6 ypg).

In other words, Langsdorf has been a successful coordinator and playcaller. At least when he's shown up for battle with more than a pillow shield and plastic sword.

Things set up fairly well for the offense heading into 2012. Langsdorf has his returning starter at QB in Mannion. He has a good crew of receivers, led by Markus Wheaton. But the offense will struggle if it can't generate a running game, which mostly hinges on improved play on the offensive line, which has been sub-par two years running.

One of the criticisms of Riley has been his loyalty to his assistant coaches, but he's made tough decisions recently, including firing longtime linebackers coach Greg Newhouse in March of 2011 (mostly because of recruiting shortcomings). If Riley takes away play-calling responsibilities from Langsdorf, it will be a painful blow to both men.

But it appears that possibility is at least being considered, so it will be worth asking about in advance of the season opener on Sept. 1 against Nicholls State.

Starters in, starters out. That's college football. Players' eligibility expires and they leave for the rest of their lives, whether that includes the NFL or not.

And they leave behind shoes of various sizes that need to be filled.

Our concern with this series? The biggest shoes -- in some cases Shaq-like size 23s.

Big shoes: WR James Rodgers

How big are his shoes? Well, Rodgers only leaves as Oregon State's all-time leader in all-purpose yards (6,377) and receptions (222). Not to mention he was tied for third all time for career receiving touchdowns (19) and fourth all time for career receiving yards (2,582). It is also worth noting that it will be the first time since 2007 that a "Rodgers" brother won't be on the roster. His impact last season wasn't as significant -- 45 catches and just three touchdowns -- but he leaves OSU as one of its most celebrated receivers.

Stepping in: Markus Wheaton and Brandin Cooks

Wheaton actually clicked well with quarterback Sean Mannion last season and was the team's leading receiver with 73 catches for 986 yards and a touchdown. He tied for fifth in the conference with 6.1 catches per game. Cooks was tied for third on the team with 31 catches for 391 yards and three receiving touchdowns (including a team-long 59-yarder against BYU). With a renewed focus on the running game, coach Mike Riley said he hopes the balance will allow for better bang-for-buck in the passing attack.

You can check out the rest of the "Big Shoes" series here.

It takes two to make a thing go right. It takes two to make it outta sight.

• Arizona will have a scrimmage at Glendale Community College, so its Phoenix-area fans can check out the Wildcats. Practices are loud and fast.
• Chatting with the Arizona State quarterback candidates.
• Some offensive notes from California's spring practice. Taking a look at the Bears' next generation of running backs.
• Mi Kasa es su Kasa? Colorado coach Jon Embree just hopes he's got a tight end.
• Some fast Ducks are strutting their stuff for Oregon's track team.
• Brandon Hardin and James Rodgers were the stars of Oregon State's pro day.
• Stanford offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton is "on the mic."
• The key for USC this season might be finding a reasonably productive noseguard.
• Former Utah coach Urban Meyer talks about missing Utah and the Utes.
• Some Pac-12 talk at Solid Verbal.

Looking good, Billy Ray!
Feeling good, Louis!

• Not specifically an Arizona story, since Davonte Neal committed to Notre Dame, but still, weird story as he switches high schools.
• Former ASU DB Omar Bolden was tops among his peers in the bench press at the combine.
• A Q&A with former Cal linebacker Zack Follett.
• Former Colorado offensive lineman Ryan Miller knows what's up with the defensive line prospects.
• George Schroeder of The Register-Guard asks how significant are Oregon's proposed violations?
• Some more news on former Oregon State wide receiver James Rodgers and the combine.
• Stanford's hunt for a new quarterback is officially underway with spring drills.
• Torii Hunter Jr. taking a long hard look at UCLA football.
• The folks at ESPNLosAngeles continue their position-by-position breakdown of USC. Next up, the offensive line.
• Some more on Utah hiring former graduate assistant Ilaisa Tuiaki to coach the fullbacks and tight ends.
• Bob Condotta continues his position overview -- this time focusing on Washington's linebackers.
• A breakdown of spring priorities for each Pac-12 school, including a look at Washington State's quarterback situation.

Billy, this is Chad Bradford. He's a relief pitcher. He is one of the most undervalued players in baseball. His defect is that he throws funny. Nobody in the big leagues cares about him because he looks funny. This guy could be not just the best pitcher in our bullpen, but one of the most effective relief pitchers in all of baseball. This guy should cost $3 million a year. We can get him for $237,000.

• Former Arizona stars Nick Foles and Juron Criner aren't that fast.
• Former Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler didn't do much at the NFL combine.
• A Colorado spring practice primer.
• Former Oregon cornerback Cliff Harris owns up to some "boneheaded" mistakes.
• Checking in with former Oregon State receiver James Rodgers at the NFL combine.
• Some notes from Stanford coach David Shaw's pre-spring news conference. The quarterback competition is wide open.
• Who is the No. 1 player to watch this spring for USC? It might surprise you (but I agree with the selection).
• Checking in with former Utah players at the NFL combine.
• What did former Washington running back Chris Polk have to say at the NFL combine?
• Washington State is undergoing tough training under new coach Mike Leach.

The Pac-12 will send 45 players to the NFL combine, which starts Wednesday in Indianapolis.

You can see the complete list of invitees here. And here's the schedule -- things don't really start rolling until Thursday.

There are plenty of subplots for the Pac-12 players on hand.

• Arizona quarterback Nick Foles is among a handful of quarterbacks vying to be the third quarterback off the board after Stanford's Andrew Luck and Baylor's Robert Griffin. And, by the way, you might want to toss Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler into the mix there, too.
• Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden, who sat out the entire 2011 season, will try to prove his knee is 100 percent.
• Will Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict be able to rehabilitate his image, both with a strong performance and convincing interview? The scuttlebutt for him since the start of the season has been almost entirely negative, with the latest being this: He's a "fake tough guy." Even worse than rumors like that is the more measurable claim that he may show up out of shape.
• Oregon cornerback Cliff Harris, who essentially missed the entire season due to suspension, will need to show some newfound maturity. And he'll need to test well to distract from the challenge he may face producing that.
• Oregon running back LaMichael James could substantially boost his stock will an impressive 40-yard dash, which would prove he has elite speed and offset size concerns.
• The same could be said for Washington running back Chris Polk, whose biggest knock is an apparent lack of top-end speed.
• Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas, a surprise early entry into the draft, will get a chance to prove he's worthy.
• Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu entered the 2011 season looking like a potential first-round pick, but his stock slid with a lackluster season. He also didn't impress during Senior Bowl practices. But 330 pound DTs are hard to find, particularly ones as athletic as Ta'amu. A good combine could get him back on the first-day radar.
• Receivers Chris Owusu of Stanford and James Rodgers of Oregon State also need to overcome health issues. Rodgers needs to show his quickness is back after major knee surgery. Owusu will need to address issues with multiple concussions.
• A guy the Pac-12 blog is curious about: Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks. The conference defensive player of the year seems like a guy who might surprise folks and push into the early rounds.
• The Pac-12 is sending a strong group of offensive linemen into the combine, with USC's Matt Kalil and the Stanford tandem of Jonathan Martin and David DeCastro likely first-round picks. But what about the other seven guys? Who might step up and generate some buzz? Perhaps Cal's Mitchell Schwartz?

OREGON STATE BEAVERS

Record: 3-9, 3-6 Pac-12

Once thought to have the most secure job in the conference, Mike Riley's seat might be a little toastier next year after back-to-back disappointing seasons. It started with an overtime loss to Sacramento State in Week 1 and quickly snowballed as the Beavers lost five of their first six. Freshman Sean Mannion showed glimpses of what could be, tossing for 3,328 yards. But 18 interceptions to 16 touchdowns stains his 64.5 percent completion percentage.

If you're looking for things to build off of, there was the 38-21 win in the second to last game of the year over Washington. Mannion completed 26-of-37 balls for 339 yards and a pair of scores. There was the season-high 44 points the Beavers put up against Washington State -- four touchdowns courtesy of the freshman quarterback.

There were flashes, but they came so inconsistently that Oregon State could never string together a complete game -- half -- or sometimes even a quarter.

Riley gets another year to turn the ship around -- but with just eight wins in the last two seasons -- he better start moving quicker. Ranking 99th in points for (21.8) and 88th in points against (30.8) is a good way to charcoal your chair.

Offensive MVP: A case could be made for Mannion, certainly. But junior receiver Markus Wheaton, a Pac-12 honorable mention selection, caught 73 balls for 986 yards. He had just one touchdown, but drew a lot of attention with James Rodgers not being 100 percent.

Defensive MVP: Junior defensive back Jordan Poyer, who landed on the All-Pac-12 second team, led the team in passes defended (16) and also hauled in four interceptions. Worth noting that he's also one of the most versatile players on the squad, returning kicks on special teams.

Turning point: Every time another player went down to injury, it was a turning point. The Beavers only had six positions where they had the same starter all season long. But if you're looking for one individual game or moment, it's probably the Washington game. Though OSU went on to lose its regular season finale against Oregon, it still gives a little bit of momentum heading into another bowl-less offseason.

Up next: Recruit, recruit, recruit. After posting 36 wins between 2006-2009, Riley knows how to motivate and win in the Pacific Northwest. But next season will be critical to his future in Corvallis.

Oregon State seems like nothing more than a bit player against Oregon in the 115^th Civil War. The Ducks have moved on to bigger things in the rivalry -- conference championships, national championship games, Rose Bowls, etc. -- while the Beavers are about to tie a ribbon on a second consecutive losing season.

In 2007, Oregon State won 38-31 in double-overtime. In 2008 and 2009, the stakes were the Rose Bowl.

In 2011? The Beavers are four-touchdown underdogs to an Oregon team trying to sew up the first Pac-12 North Division championship and a home game against the South champ on Dec. 2.

"Wow, 29-point underdogs," freshman defensive end Scott Crichton said. "We were underdogs last game and we blew them out. This game is going to be different from what everyone says."

Crichton refers to the Beavers' surprisingly efficient 38-21 win over Washington last weekend, which is easily the highlight of their season.

Still, the Huskies aren't the Ducks. And that game was in the friendly confines of Reser Stadium, not the Ducks' rowdy home base, Autzen Stadium.

Of course, crazy stuff happens in college football and rivalry games. Just when things seem to make sense, No. 2 Oklahoma State loses to Iowa State.

If Oregon State plays its best game of the season, and Oregon plays like it did for 2 1/2 quarters in its 38-35 loss last weekend to USC, the upset could happen.

"Every phase of the game we’re going to have to play at a tremendously high level to compete," Beavers coach Mike Riley said. "I will tell you this -- I think our team will compete hard and prepare well, and I know they’re looking forward to a great opportunity.”

Only two current Oregon State players — receivers James Rodgers and Darrell Catchings — have beaten Oregon. Rodgers scored the winning TD in the 2007 game, taking a fly sweep 25 yards for a score.

A lot has happened to the Beavers and Rodgers since then. Rodgers suffered a serious knee injury in 2010 and didn't return to the field until game three this year. He's yet to regain his All-American form, and he suffered a sprained ankle in the win over Washington, which makes his status questionable for Saturday.

Of course, Rodgers, despite sporting a boot on his injured foot, said this week he has no doubt he will play. This will be his last game as a Beaver and he said it was important to "try to get some respect back."

Still, the stakes for Oregon after the USC loss are no longer just bragging rights. If the Ducks lose, Stanford wins the North, and the Ducks likely end up in the Alamo Bowl. You'd think that would be enough to keep them focused Saturday.

The Ducks are looking to win a fourth consecutive Civil War, which would be their longest winning streak since 1994-97. If the Beavers lose, this would mark their first season with three wins or fewer since 1997, Riley’s first season at Oregon State.

Make no mistake: Oregon State's downturn is even more notable when juxtaposed with Oregon's rise. That has some Beavers fans chirping about the program trending downward under Riley.

The tangible stakes are huge for Oregon. But there's plenty for the Beavers to play for, too.

Said Crichton, "It would help us a lot. I know we can win this game, and it definitely would bring momentum to us and everyone else who doubts us."

Here's a quick look at Week 12 in the Pac-12.

All times are ET. All games are Saturday.

Washington (6-4, 4-3) at Oregon State (2-8, 2-5) 3:30 p.m. Root NW: Washington leads the series 58-33-4 and won last year 35-34 in double-overtime. Huskies quarterback Keith Price hurt his knee last weekend at USC and was replaced by Nick Montana. Price awaits results from tests on his knee, and Montana could get the start in Corvallis. Beavers wide receiver James Rodgers, who has 218 career receptions, needs three catches to pass Mike Hass for No. 1 on the program's all-time list. The Beavers are last in the Pac-12 in scoring (20.3 ppg) and rushing (88.2 ypg).

Utah (6-4, 3-4) at Washington State (4-6, 2-5) 5 p.m. FCS: The series is tied 5-5-0. Washington State won the last meeting 38-21 in 2000. After beating UCLA last weekend, the Utes became bowl eligible for a ninth consecutive season. The Utes have won three in a row and four of five. Utah is 6-0 when running back John White rushes for over 100 yards. The Utes are No. 1 in the Pac-12 in scoring defense (19.2 ppg). The Cougars have two conference wins, equalling their total over the past three seasons combined. Four total wins is their most since going 5-7 in 2007. WR Marquess Wilson has 1,197 yards receiving, a new school season record. In the win over Arizona State, redshirt freshman quarterback Connor Halliday set a Pac-12 freshman record with 494 yards passing.

Colorado (2-9, 1-6) at UCLA (5-5, 4-3) 7:30 p.m. Versus: UCLA leads the series 4-2, but Colorado won the last game 16-14 in 2003. Colorado ended a seven-game losing streak with its first Pac-12 win last weekend against Arizona. UCLA controls its own Pac-12 South Division destiny. If it wins out, it wins the division. The Bruins rank last in the conference in run defense (190.2 ypg). Colorado ranks last in scoring defense (37.8 ppg) and 11th in scoring offense (21.3 ppg).

No. 18 (AP) USC (8-2, 5-2) at No. 4 Oregon (9-1, 7-0) 8 p.m. ABC: USC leads the series 37-18-2 but Oregon won its second in a row 53-32 last year in the Coliseum. If the Ducks win, they clinch the Pac-12 North Division title. Oregon has won 21 consecutive home games and 19 consecutive conference games. 25 of the Ducks 65 TDs this year have come on plays of 25 or more yards. The Ducks rank third in the nation in scoring (46.7 ppg). USC has won at least eight games 10 consecutive seasons. The Trojans had a season-high seven sacks in their win over Washington. Oregon has allowed just seven sacks this year. The Trojans have held an opponent to less than 100 yards rushing five times this year; USC ranks second in the Pac-12 in run defense. Oregon ranks fifth in the nation in rushing (291.8 ypg).

Arizona (2-8, 1-7) at Arizona State (6-4, 4-3) 9:30 p.m. FSAZ: Arizona leads the rivalry series 46-37-1 but Arizona State won 30-29 in double-overtime last year in Tucson. Wildcats quarterback Nick Foles became the program's all-time leading passer, eclipsing Willie Tuitama with 9,289 yards through the air. Sun Devils wide receiver Jamal Miles returned the opening kickoff against Washington State 95 yards for a TD, his second kickoff return for a TD this season and third for his career, which are both school records. The Sun Devils are 5-0 at home this year. Arizona is last in the Pac-12 in turnover margin at minus-7. Arizona State is first at plus-14. The Wildcats are last in the conference -- and 118th in the nation -- with just eight sacks.

California (6-4, 3-4) at No. 9 Stanford (9-1, 7-1) 10:15 p.m. ESPN: Stanford leads the series 56-46-11, including a 48-14 win at Cal last year. Oregon ended Stanford's 17-game winning streak last week. It had been the nation's longest winning streak. Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck has 74 career TD passes. He needs four more to eclipse John Elway's school record of 77. Luck's 29 TD passes is second to the school record 32 he threw last year. Stanford has scored 30 or more points in 13 consecutive games. The Cardinal is 57 for 57 in redzone trips this season. Cal running back Isi Sofele is the program's ninth 1,000-yard rushing in 10 seasons. Cal is No. 1 and Stanford No. 2 in the Pac-12 in total defense.

This is the excellent foppery of the world, that,
when we are sick in fortune --often the surfeit
of our own behavior --we make guilty of our
disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars: as
if we were villains by necessity.

• There is no rest for Arizona quarterback Nick Foles. At present, recruiting isn't easy for Arizona.
• A former walk-on makes his mark at Arizona State.
• It appears that California has another 1,000-yard tailback.
• Give Colorado coach Jon Embree three years to turn things around.
• A look at Oregon coach Chip Kelly from a San Francisco perspective. The Ducks get ready for a physical Stanford defense.
• Oregon State receiver James Rodgers is glad to be back, even if the Beavers aren't winning.
• What to watch with Oregon-Stanford.
• UCLA's Anthony Barr is close to full-speed again.
• Sometimes USC -- yeah, big-time recruiting USC -- discovers a proverbial diamond in the rough.
• Utah's running game is about more than John White.
• A look at how Washington's fab frosh have progressed.
• Veteran Washington State line coach Steve Morton just keeps coaching and teaching because that's what he knows. Cougars safety Casey Locker is getting attention he doesn't want.

Here's a quick look at Week 10 in the Pac-12.

All times are ET.

Friday

USC (6-2, 3-2) at Colorado (1-8, 0-5) 9 p.m. ESPN: USC leads the series 5-0, winning the most recent meeting in 2002 40-3. Trojans QB Matt Barkley needs just 108 yards of total offense to move into third on the school's all-time total offense list. Colorado QB Tyler Hansen moved into fifth place on the Buffaloes' all-time passing yards list with 4,851. The Buffs rank 11th or 12th in the conference in 16 of 33 team statistical categories listed on the Pac-12's official release, including ranking last in scoring offense, scoring defense, rushing offense, rushing defense, pass-efficiency defense, sacks against, red zone offense and red zone defense.

Saturday

No. 4 Stanford (8-0, 6-0) at Oregon State (2-6, 2-3) 3:30 p.m. ABC: Stanford is riding a 16-game winning streak, longest in the nation. The Cardinal leads its series with Oregon State 49-25-3, including a 38-0 win last year. The Cardinal, however, lost its previous visit to Corvallis, 38-28 in 2009. The Cardinal trailed for the first time this season in its 56-48, triple-overtime win over USC last weekend. Last week, Oregon State receiver James Rodgers became the third Beaver to eclipse 200 career receptions. The Beavers are last in the conference in turnover margin (minus-5). Stanford is second (plus-7). The Cardinal have turned it over just six times, the Beavers 21.

Washington State (3-5, 1-4) at California (4-4, 1-4) 6:30 p.m. CSNCA: California leads the series 42-25-5. The Bears won last season in Pullman 20-13, a game that was notable because it was the Cal's first without QB Kevin Riley. Cougars QB Marshall Lobbestael, formerly Jeff Tuel's backup before Tuel got hurt, has eclipsed 300 yards in four games. Only Arizona's Nick Foles has more 300-yard games (six). The Cougars have scored 266 points this year (33.2 points per game). They scored 235 points in all of 2010 (19.6 ppg). Cal receiver Keenan Allen needs 11 yards to eclipse 1,000 receiving this season.

Utah (4-4, 1-4) at Arizona (2-6, 1-5) 7 p.m. FSAZ-KJZZ: Utah leads the series 19-15-2, last beating the Wildcats 27-24 in 2005. Before scoring 27 points in their first Pac-12 victory, the Utes had averaged just 13 points per game in their previous four conference games. The Utes lead the conference in total defense (325.6 yards per game). When Utes running back John White rushed for a career-high 205 yards in the win over Oregon State, it was Utah's first 200-yard rushing game in nine years. Wildcats QB Nick Foles leads the conference with 366.1 yards passing per game, which is on pace to eclipse the conference record of 342.9 yards passing per game set by Washington's Cody Pickett in 2002.

No. 19 Arizona State (6-2, 4-1) at UCLA (4-4, 3-2) 7:30 p.m. Versus: UCLA leads the series 16-10-1, but the Sun Devils won 55-34 in Tempe last year. Sun Devils running back Cameron Marshall is first in the conference with 12 rushing TDs. Bruins QB Kevin Prince rushed for 163 yards in the win over Cal. It was the first time since 1976 (Jeff Dankworth vs. Cal) that a Bruins QB eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark. ASU has forced 25 turnovers, five more than any other Pac-12 team. The Sun Devils are first in the conference in turnover margin (plus-12). UCLA is tied for sixth with just as many giveaways as takeaways.

No. 8 Oregon (7-1, 5-0) at Washington (6-2, 4-1) 10:30 p.m. FSN: Washington leads the series 58-40-5, but the Ducks have won seven in a row, each by at least 20 points. The Ducks have scored 40 or more points in each of their past seven games, averaging 50.4 points during the winning streak. Running back LaMichael James and QB Darron Thomas both started for Oregon against Washington State after missing action due to injuries. Thomas was yanked at halftime, however, so it's unclear if he or backup Bryan Bennett will start Saturday. Washington has scored 30 or more points in seven games this season, which hasn't happened since the 2000 Rose Bowl team scored more than 30 in nine games. Huskies running back Chris Polk's 3,577 career rushing yards ranks 14th in conference history and second all-time for the Huskies, only behind Napoleon Kaufman (4,106 yards). This will be the final game in Husky Stadium before it undergoes major renovations. The Apple Cup on Nov. 26 and the 2012 season will be played in the Seattle Seahawks home stadium, CenturyLink Field.

This is our island. It’s a good island. Until the grown-ups come to fetch us we’ll have fun.

• There's been no contact between Mike Leach and Arizona, at least as of yet.
• Arizona State's game with Colorado will be on TV.
• Breaking down California's goal-line stand against USC.
• Assistant coach Brian Cabral has seen a lot at Colorado, and he thinks the Buffaloes are headed in the right direction.
• When is the right time for Oregon to pull its starters in a blowout game? The Ducks snag a recruit away from Washington.
• Might Oregon State be better off with more touches for wide receiver James Rodgers?
• Some Stanford recruiting news.
• UCLA gets ready for another elite quarterback.
• USC running back Curtis McNeal may be about to get his big shot.
• Utah believes it's better than its record indicates.
• Washington is staying humble as it climbs the mountain.
• A report from Washington State practice.

Here's a quick look at Week 6 in the Pac-12.

USC and Washington are off. All times are ET.

Thursday



California (3-1, 0-1) at No. 9 Oregon (3-1, 1-0) 9 p.m. ESPN: Last year, Cal held Oregon to just 377 yards in a 15-13 loss, the best defensive performance against the Ducks all season. What did each team learn from that game? And how much of a difference will playing in Autzen Stadium make? Ducks have won 13 consecutive Pac-12 games and 18 in a row at home.

Saturday

Arizona (1-4, 0-3) at Oregon State (0-4, 0-2) 3:30 p.m. FCS: Oregon State won a barn burner last year in Tucson, 29-27, a game that seemed like the "hello world" moment for then-starting quarterback Ryan Katz. That game is also when wide receiver James Rodgers blew out his knee. Rodgers is back but the Beavers starting quarterback is Sean Mannion. Both teams have been terrible against the pass, which should help Mannion. But in the other corner is Nick Foles. The Wildcats have lost nine in a row to FBS teams and seven in a row to Pac-12 teams.

No. 22 Arizona State (4-1, 2-0) at Utah (2-2, 0-2) 3:30 p.m. FSN: This looked like a potential Pac-12 South Division game of the year in the preseason, but the Sun Devils could practically end the division race with a victory. Further, the Utes will be without quarterback Jordan Wynn. Of course, if the Sun Devils play like they did against Oregon State, they might have a bad trip.

Colorado (1-4, 0-1) at No. 7 Stanford (4-0, 2-0) 7:30 p.m. Versus: The Buffaloes are coming off a crushing home loss to Washington State, but Stanford is not where a team wants to go to feel better about itself. The Buffs secondary, a worry to begin with, has injury issues. Got a feeling Andrew Luck is looking forward to this game. These teams haven't played since 1993, a 41-37 Stanford win.

Washington State (3-1, 1-0) at UCLA (2-3, 1-1) 10:30 FSN: Last week was a must-win for Washington State at Colorado. This feels like a must-win for UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel, who not unlike Cougars coach Paul Wulff, is in the midst of a win-or-else season. Last year's game was tied entering the fourth quarter, but the Bruins overpowered the Cougars with their running game, piling up 437 yards in a 42-28 win. Cougs haven't started 4-1 since 2003.