STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Tavion Thomas ran for four TDs in the first half, TJ Pledger scored on a school-record 96-yard run and Utah ran past Stanford 52-7. The game was a mismatch from the start as the Utes scored TDs on their first two drives and didn’t allow the Cardinal to get a first down until it was 21-0 in the second quarter. Utah just added on from there, scoring five TDs and one field goal on seven drives in the first half with the only stop coming on a botched snap. The Cardinal suffered their most lopsided loss since a 57-7 defeat to Notre Dame in 2003.

UNDATED (AP) — No. 7 Oregon travels to Washington after earning the No. 4 spot in the initial College Football Playoff rankings of the season. The preseason predictions had this game underlined, circled and bolded as the one to possibly go a long way in deciding the Pac-12 North. A win by Washington creates a logjam at the top. A victory by Oregon would firmly put the Ducks in the driver’s seat. Oregon has won the last two meetings between the two rivals, and 14 of the last 16.  Utah running back Tavion Thomas is a player to watch this week after rushing for a career-most 160 yards and four TDs in a win over UCLA. 

UNDATED (AP) — Opponents of the Oregon Ducks are keying in on defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, including Washington coach Jimmy Lake, who called Thibodeaux a “game-wrecker.” Seventh-ranked Oregon visits the Huskies on Saturday after earning the No. 4 spot in the initial College Football Playoff rankings of the season. But it’s not just opponents paying attention to Thibodeaux. He is getting attention from the NFL, too. He is expected to be a top pick in the draft next year if he decides to got pro.

UNDATED (AP) — After a 14-year run of ranked-vs.-ranked matchups, the Alabama-LSU rivalry has now been relegated to an afterthought for two straight seasons. The No. 3 Crimson Tide are again a huge favorite against the struggling Tigers. Alabama handed LSU the most lopsided defeat in the series since the 1920s last year when the Tide won 55-17 in Baton Rouge. Alabama-LSU is just another game on the Week 10 schedule, which features only one ranked-vs.-ranked matchup, but a few intriguing upset opportunities. No. 12 Auburn visits No. 13 Texas A&M; No. 5 Michigan State goes to upset-minded Purdue and No. 7 Oregon plays at rival Washington.

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington and Oregon are set to renew their rivalry Saturday after last year’s game was canceled due to COVID-19 issues among the Huskies. The seventh-ranked Ducks are leading the Pac-12 North, while the Huskies are looking to turn around what’s been a disappointing season. Washington coach Jimmy Lake added a little fire to the rivalry when he said any recruiting battles the Huskies have with Oregon are overblown. He said Washington recruits against schools with more academic prowess. Oregon coach Mario Cristobal chose not to engage in the ensuing conversation. 

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Utah has seized control of the race for the Pac-12 South but knows one small let up could open the race back up again. The Utes can take a big step toward locking up a spot in the Pac-12 title game next month in Las Vegas with a victory on Friday night at Stanford. The Cardinal are mired in another disappointing season. They have shown flashes this year that have caught the attention of Utah.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Oregon State will make attempt No. 2 at reaching bowl eligibility. The path is way more uphill for Colorado, with four straight wins now necessary to be in the picture. It starts this weekend at Folsom Field against the Beavers. Oregon State had a chance to reach win No. 6 last weekend but lost 35-29 at California as its dominant ground game suddenly turned stagnant. The Beavers haven’t been to a bowl since 2013. The Buffaloes are attempting to reach back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2004-05.

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Southern California lost its coach after two games, dropped three games in the past five. Arizona State seems to have lost it focus, giving up 56 straight points over the span of two ugly losses. Somehow, the Trojans and Sun Devils still have a shot at winning the Pac-12 South. But now the margin for error has become paper thin, turning their game Saturday into an elimination game of sorts. Arizona State is a game behind Utah in the Pac-12 South and USC is 1 1/2 games behind.

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