Pac-12 preview: Four unbeaten teams facing threats in Week Four

There are four unbeaten teams in the Pac-12.

There are five Pac-12 unbeaten teams: Oregon State, UCLA, USC, Washington and Washington State. One of them is guaranteed to be 4-0 when the weekend concludes: the USC-Oregon State winner. Two more are double-digit favorites: Washington (over Stanford) and UCLA (against Colorado). The last one, WSU, is a home underdog against Oregon.

Washington and Washington State are unbeaten. If they win and if Washington and UCLA do their business, the Pac-12 will have four 4-0 teams for the first time since 2017.

The Pac-12 has a good correlation between hot starts and good finishes. In 2013, the conference placed six teams in the final AP poll and produced five 10-game winners. It also placed Oregon to the College Football Playoff and in 2017, it sent nine teams into the postseason and placed two in New Year's Six bowls.

The Pac-12 has four teams in the current AP top-25 poll and three undefeated teams that aren't ranked. The conference owns three victories over ranked opponents. Only the SEC has more top 25 wins.

Washington State is the first team to start the season 3-0 and not crack the AP top-25 poll. The team won over then-No. 19 Wisconsin in Week 2. Michigan State received more votes (91) than Washington State (62).

Arizona has won six straight games against Cal. If Oregon State beats USC, it will be 4-0 for the first time since 2012.

Stanford has won five of the last six games against Washington when the Huskies were ranked.

Send suggestions, comments and tips to [email protected] or call 408-920-5716.

The Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference.