pac-12

The Pac-12 is returning to the College Football Playoff for the first time in seven years, has another school as part of the New Year’s Six and will send a total of eight teams to bowls in the last year with its current membership.

The Pac-12 Conference is having a heck of a final kick. No. 3 Washington and No. 5 Oregon are two of the four conference teams ranked in the AP Top 25. They meet Friday for an almost certain spot in the College Football Playoff.

Oregon State has promoted defensive coordinator Trent Bray to head coach, quickly replacing Jonathan Smith after he left for Michigan State.

The Washington state Supreme Court has granted a request by the University of Washington and the Pac-12 to put on hold a lower court’s ruling that gave Oregon State and Washington State control of the conference.

But Friday’s game at Autzen Stadium could be the last for the foreseeable future. Sixth-ranked Oregon is departing for the Big Ten next season, and No. 15 Oregon State will stay as one of two remaining teams in the Pac-12.

The final Pac-12 version of the Civil War will play a role in which team plays No. 4 Washington in the Pac-12 championship game. Win and the Ducks are in. Lose and No. 16 Arizona beats Arizona State, the Wildcats head to Las Vegas.

Oregon will clinch a spot in the Pac-12 championship game with a victory over the rival Beavers

The last Apple Cup with both schools as members of the same conference arrives with No. 4 Washington looking to make history. No Washington team has ever finished the regular season 12-0.

The final season of Pac-12 football is coming down to a thrilling conclusion. The conference wraps up regular-season play this week before the title game in Las Vegas on Dec. 1.

Michael Penix Jr. threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and No. 5 Washington remained undefeated and clinched a spot in the Pac-12 championship game with a 22-20 victory over No. 10 Oregon State