Greg McElroy evaluates potential ‘chaos scenario’ in Pac-12

The Pac-12’s swan song is, well, very Pac-12. The league looks like the deepest in the country this year with six teams ranked in the AP Top 25, including three teams in the top 10.

With divisions officially gone, the race to the conference championship is very interesting. A big domino could fall this week when Oregon and Washington square off in a rivalry matchup Saturday afternoon. But there are other teams who could vie for the title, including USC and Utah, which begs the question of what happens with the College Football Playoff if three teams finish with one loss.

ESPN analyst Greg McElroy said with the way the schedule is shaking out, he doesn’t know if that will happen. However, for a team such as Washington — if the Huskies beat Oregon, of course — there could be some wiggle room when it comes CFP time.

“I actually think the league is crazy deep,” McElroy said on Always College Football. “So it’s very difficult for me to anticipate a spot where you have three one-loss teams or multiple undefeateds. If it does, it’s great. It’d be awesome. The last year of the Pac-12 should just burn up all the chaos scenarios that we can possibly find. And of course, we’re gonna get a lot more clarity this weekend. I mean, Washington, they play Oregon on Saturday. Let’s assume Washington wins that game at home. Then, let’s go on to assume that USC beats Washington when Washington travels to Los Angeles in early November. Then, let’s assume that Oregon beats USC the following Saturday on Nov. 11 when they host them in Eugene. I mean, that’s a real possibility.

“Now, you know I’m not sold on USC at the moment. But you look at Washington. Obviously, they’ve killed everybody. Their closest game right now is four touchdowns, nearly. Okay? They’ve, really, got five high-level games remaining for them and four will be played in November. So if they somehow come through this thing unscathed, I think they’re gonna get a lot of benefit of the doubt because of how back-loaded their schedule is.”

Why what lies ahead for Oregon, USC could impact Washington’s CFP chances

After facing Washington this week, Oregon’s schedule four top-25 teams, including a Nov. 11 game against USC. The Trojans, meanwhile, take on Notre Dame this weekend with Oregon and Washington both looming, along with UCLA. Those schedules aren’t easy, which is why McElroy said he doesn’t see three teams finishing with one loss.

Still, the CFP committee could give Washington some leeway regarding a CFP bid.

“Like I said, I don’t think this is likely whatsoever,” McElroy said. “I don’t think it’s going to happen. I just don’t see it. Because there are so many examples right now, when you look at look-ahead lines, I mean, Oregon and the Huskies are pretty significant favorites over the Trojans. And at the tiebreaker, I think it’d be very difficult to assume that Washington wouldn’t be given the benefit of the doubt if they win the game against Oregon this weekend.”

Greg McElroy reveals which Pac-12 team could have one loss and make things interesting

If there was a team to finish with one loss and make a case for the CFP, according to McElroy, it’s Utah. The Utes lost to Oregon State last time out, but haven’t had starting quarterback Cameron Rising. While his return could come soon, Utah is already 4-1 on the season with wins over Florida and UCLA.

If the Utes stay on an upward trajectory when they get Rising back, McElroy said they could find themselves in the mix and make things really interesting in the Pac-12.

“The one that you need to keep in mind though, is Utah,” McElroy said. “They are kind of a unique scenario. They are clearly very, very good. They’re going to get better as the season goes along. Cam Rising, of course, is going to get healthy at some point. Hopefully, it’s this week.

“They’re already 4-1 though without him. And if their offense could somehow find some juice, then look out. Maybe Utah is one of these one-loss teams at season’s end that we need to be considering out of the Pac-12 as well.”