How Can UCLA Football Win The Pac-12 South Division?

There is still a lot of Pac-12 football to be played which makes the race for the Pac-12 South Division very interesting. It is still a five-team race and there are several combinations of wins and losses that could sway the Division in one team’s favor or another. For UCLA, to win the South and secure that spot to the Pac-12 Championship Game, they not only have to win out, but they need the four other contenders for the Pac-12 South Division to do a few things as well. Let us first look at the standings:

Pac-12 South Division Standings

UCLA’s remaining schedule: Nov 8 at Washington, Nov 22 vs USC, Nov 26 vs Stanford

Discounting Colorado, as they have been out of the race for a few weeks now, let us analyze the the four other teamsin the race for the Pac-12 South Division. First off, if UCLA loses any of the next three games, the road to the Pac-12 Championship Game gets a lot more complicated and almost impossible to attain, so for now, let us imagine that the Bruins win out. With that, here are the scenarios that need to happen for the Bruins to get to the Pac-12 Championship Game.

Arizona State Sun Devils

FanSided

Head-To-Head vs UCLA: 62-27 Loss

Games Remaining: vs #8 Notre Dame, at Oregon State, vs Washington State, at #21 Arizona

What Needs To Happen For UCLA To Win The Pac-12 South Division:

If UCLA wins out, in case of a tie-breaker, the Bruins would advance to the Pac-12 Championship. Before that can happen, ASU needs to lose one more game. The game against Notre Dame will not count in conference, but could have an impact as to how the Sun Devils handle their momentum going into their last three Pac-12 games. They then play the worst two teams in the North Division, so a loss there is not likely. The only hope for UCLA after that is for Arizona to beat their in-state rival the last game of the regular season.

USC Trojans

Head-To-Head vs UCLA: November 22

Games Remaining: at Washington State, vs Cal, at #18 UCLA, vs #8 Notre Dame

What Needs To Happen For UCLA To Win The Pac-12 South Division:

Since these two teams are yet to meet, it comes down to their head-to-head battle, so if both win their games up until that match-up, all the Bruins have to do is beat USC. Easy enough.

Nov 30, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) eludes Southern California Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams (94) to score on a 4-yard touchdown run in the third quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Utah Utes

Head-To-Head vs UCLA: 30-28 Win

Games Remaining: vs #5 Oregon, at Stanford, vs #21 Arizona, at Colorado

What Needs To Happen For UCLA To Win The Pac-12 South Division:

Now here is where things get sticky for the Bruins. Utah beat UCLA at the Rose Bowl, so they have the tie-breaker, but the Utes just lost to ASU, which gives them the same amount of losses as the Bruins. If UCLA wins out, Utah needs to lose one more for the Bruins to go the Pac-12 Championship Game. That is where it gets sticky for Utah. The toughest part of their schedule is the next four games which includes Oregon, Stanford and Arizona, which goes without saying, will be brutal. Then again, if the Utes do win out, they rightfully deserve to go to the Pac-12 Championship. They just need to lose one more game to gives UCLA the advantage.

Arizona Wildcats

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Head-To-Head vs UCLA: 17-7 Loss

Games Remaining: vs Colorado, vs Washington, at #20 Utah, vs #11 Arizona State

What Needs To Happen For UCLA To Win The Pac-12 South Division:

The Bruins have the tie-breaker which they won this past weekend, so if both teams win out, the Bruins win the South. If that does happen, the Wildcats will also be helping the Bruins with wins over Utah and Arizona State, making the path to the Pac-12 Championship Game  a lot smoother for UCLA.

Who knew that having two ugly losses on your resume would still make you eligible for the conference championship? But that is what makes football in the Pac-12 South Division so good… it is loaded with talent, has surprises around every corner and on any given night, a new team can take control of their fate while others get knocked down a peg or two. Go Pac-12.