Pac-12 Roundup: Colorado can take the top spot this weekend

The Colorado Buffaloes fell from No. 20 to No. 24 in this week’s AP Top 25 poll, following a win over USC and a loss to UCLA. Colorado climbed in the NCAA’s NET rankings from No. 20 to No. 17.

Two other Pac-12 teams were ranked in the Top 25; Oregon fell from No. 11 to No. 14 and Arizona entered the rankings and now sits at No. 23.

Stanford did not make the Top 25 but received the 35th-most votes.

Two of Colorado’s non-conference opponents made the Top 25; Kansas remained at No. 3 and Dayton improved from No. 7 to No. 6. Northern Iowa received the 31st-most votes, but did not make the Top 25.

The Buffs will play California at 6 p.m. on Thursday and Stanford at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Both games will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks.

PAC-12 STANDINGS

1. No. 14 Oregon (7-3)
2. No. 24 Colorado (6-3)
3. USC (6-3)
4. Stanford (5-3)
5. No. 23 Arizona (5-3)
6. UCLA (5-4)
7. Arizona State (4-4)
8. California (4-4)
9. Washington State (4-6)
10. Utah (3-6)
11. Oregon State (3-7)
12. Washington (2-8)

GAMES TO WATCH

USC @ No. 23 Arizona
7 p.m. Thu., ESPN2

USC is still tied with Colorado for second in the Pac-12, despite the Buffs winning the first of two head-to-head matchups last weekend.

Meanwhile, Arizona is only half a game back of USC and Colorado and the Wildcats surging. Arizona began the conference season by losing two of its first three games but it’s only lost one of the four since then.

Last weekend, the Wildcats completed the first sweep of a road trip by any Pac-12 team this season.

This young Arizona squad seems to be finally living up to its metrics but the Trojans should provide a heat check.

UCLA @ No. 23 Arizona
8 p.m. Sat., ESPN2

UCLA has won four of its last five games and climbed up into the middle of the Pac-12 pack. The one loss in that stretch was on the road against Oregon.

Another young, talented team, the Bruins could be hitting their stride, or they may have just taken advantage of a heavy dose of home games.

If they can take their success on the road this weekend, they could find themselves back in title contention.

Arizona, as mentioned above, is also surging, and will be particularly tough to beat in Tucson.

No. 14 Oregon @ Oregon State
8:30 p.m. Sat., Pac-12 Networks

On paper this matchup shouldn’t be competitive.

The Ducks are among the most talented and experienced teams in the nation and the Beavers are not, but the game will be played in Corvallis and rivalry games can get weird, especially this season.

That’s why, in a weak slate of Pac-12 games, this one is worth tuning into, at least until the Ducks pull away.

If the Ducks win, Colorado can tie them for first place by sweeping its two home games this weekend.

If the Ducks lose, the door is open for Colorado to become the lone school atop the conference standings.

Don’t forget, the Buffs will travel to Oregon to take on both of these teams next weekend.