A couple of Pac-12 teams that have already combined for six losses can still have an impact on the College Football Playoff race.
No. 22 Southern California (7-3) is at No. 23 Oregon (7-3) Saturday and both teams can still win their respective Pac-12 divisions. The conference already has dim playoff hopes after Stanford and Utah each lost league games for the second time last week. If the Trojans and Ducks were to find their way to Santa Clara, California, for the Pac-12 title game those chances go from slim to none.
But the beauty of the playoff is the trickle-down effect. No. 5 Notre Dame (9-1) beat USC in October. The Irish could use the Trojans to finish strong and bolster their playoff case. No. 9 Michigan State (9-1) knocked off Oregon back in September and a continued resurgence by the Ducks would make the win look even better for the Spartans.
Of course, the Spartans and Irish have their own business to take care of over the next few weeks.
Michigan State plays its biggest game of the season at No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday. Notre Dame goes to Fenway Park to play Boston College.