The No. 8 Oregon Ducks (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) were able to enjoy a nice off day this past Saturday as they prepare to play No. 7 Washington (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12), who also were off in Week 6, in Seattle next Saturday.

However, eight of the conference’s 12 teams were in action during Week 6 and there were still plenty of headlines from the Pac-12.

Colorado outlasts Arizona State in 27-24 win

The Buffaloes’ (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12) first conference win under head coach Deion Sanders was not a pretty one, but they got the job done. A last-minute field goal from Alejandro Mata sealed the dramatically low-scoring win for Colorado. The Buffaloes’ defense stepped up on Saturday after back-to-back games of allowing more than 40 points. Colorado only had 295 total yards of offense in the win, but snapped its losing streak as the Buffs look to prepare for their Week 7 game against Stanford (1-4, 0-3 Pac-12).

Saturday’s loss was one of the better efforts the Sun Devils (1-5, 0-3 Pac-12) have produced so far this season. They didn’t turn the ball over for just the second time all season, and the defense was able to limit one of the top offenses in the conference. But it’s still a loss and Arizona State will still be looking for its first conference win since Oct. 29, 2022, when the Sun Devils play No. 7 Washington in Week 8.

No. 9 USC survives triple-overtime duel with Arizona 43-41

Week by week, the Trojans look less and less like a true conference contender. USC started Saturday’s game off by falling behind 17-0 to the Wildcats — who were playing their backup quarterback for the entire game. The Trojans were able to erase the deficit and go on to win, but it’s not unrealistic to think that USC might really struggle as its schedule gets harder. A road trip to play No. 21 Notre Dame (5-2) awaits the Trojans — now ranked No. 10 — in Week 8.

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita looked good filling in for injured Jayden de Laura. Fifita threw for 303 yards and five touchdowns in the loss. The Wildcats defense, however, was unable to get even a single stop in overtime, and crucial penalties really hurt Arizona (3-3, 1-2 Pac-12). However, now having lost to Washington and USC by a combined nine points, the Wildcats could be a sleeper team to play spoiler as conference play winds on. Arizona will face No. 19 Washington State (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) next Saturday.

UCLA upsets No. 13 Washington State with 25-17 win

The Bruins (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) didn’t need to play their best ball to down Washington State on Saturday. Quarterback Dante Moore is still yet to establish himself as a true starting quarterback in the Pac-12 as he had a pair of interceptions. But, UCLA still got a win over a ranked team and has some momentum building as the Bruins travel to Corvallis, Ore., for a clash with No. 15 Oregon State (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12) next Saturday.

Aside from an 88-yard interception touchdown by Kapena Gushiken, the Cougars really lacked excitement in Week 7. Quarterback Cameron Ward underperformed, tallying just 197 passing yards and two interceptions during the loss. Now falling to No. 19, the Cougars will look to regroup against Arizona in Week 7.

No. 15 Oregon State earns 52-40 win over California

The Beavers led for most of their game against Cal on Saturday, but a 17-point fourth quarter provided some cushion to close out the Golden Bears. Oregon State’s defense allowed Cal to rush for 241 yards in the win, and could turn out to be a weakness later in the season. But if the Beavers keep scoring 38.5 points per game like they’re currently averaging, they could still be formidable. Oregon State hosts UCLA in a top-20 ranked game next week. 

At least Cal (3-3, 1-2 Pac-12) can be thankful for Jaydn Ott. The running back has been a bright spot for the Golden Bears this season with 556 rushing yards and five touchdowns so far this season. Unfortunately for Cal fans, the schedule gets no easier as No. 16 Utah (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) awaits the Golden Bears next week.