How to win the Pac-12 South: ASU controls destiny, UA needs Utah loss

The Pac-12 South standings looked like a mess heading into the third-to-last week of the regular season, but the picture looks less convoluted thanks to the USC Trojans.

The perennial powerhouse fell, 15-14, at the hands of the Cal Golden Bears on Saturday, making things less murky for the three teams remaining in the race to win the division: Arizona State, Arizona and Utah.

As the hot seat at USC catches fire under head coach Clay Helton and Colorado’s Mike MacIntyre at the bottom of the Pac-12 South, here’s how the three teams still in the race can make it to the conference championship game.

Arizona State (6-4, 4-3 Pac-12)

Games left: Saturday at Oregon, Nov. 24 at Arizona

How do they win the south?: It’s quite simple for coach Herm Edwards’ Sun Devils, who control their own destiny and can win out to secure their spot in the title game. They face the Ducks (6-4), who have lost three of their last four, on the road.

Facing the Wildcats (5-5, 4-3 Pac-12) in Tucson will be a challenge as well. Arizona has won two in a row heading into a Saturday game in Pullman, Wash., and its offense has been clicking, scoring 44 and 42 points against Oregon and Colorado, respectively.

If ASU loses against Oregon on Saturday, it would require a Utah loss to Colorado earlier in the day and a Sun Devil win over Arizona in the final game of the year to eek out the Pac-12 South title thanks to tiebreakers over other potential 5-4 teams.

Arizona (5-5, 4-3 Pac-12)

Games left: Saturday at Washington State, Nov. 24 vs. ASU

How do they win the south?: The Wildcats need some help from Colorado to set up a play-in game for the Pac-12 South in the Duel in the Desert.

On Saturday, the Buffaloes host the Utes at 11:30 a.m., and UA requires a Utah loss to stay alive.

If Utah loses, Arizona will need to score an upset over No. 8 Washington State on the road Saturday night and then beat ASU to close the year.

Utah (7-3, 5-3 Pac-12)

Games left: Saturday at Colorado, Nov. 24 vs. BYU

How do they win the south?: The Utes lead the south heading into the penultimate week of the regular season at 5-3 in conference play and close out the regular season with a nonconference rivalry game against BYU.

They need a win over the Buffs and a loss by ASU to either Oregon or Arizona to win the division.

Follow @AZSports