Bo Nix threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, securing No. 6 Oregon a spot in the Pac-12 championship game with a 31-7 victory over No. 15 Oregon State.
Michigan State hired coach Jonathan Smith away from No. 15 Oregon State. The former Beaver QB was 34-35 over six seasons at Oregon State, including an 8-4 mark this year as the program earned at least eight wins in consecutive seasons.
The best college football games this week involve Pac-12 teams. No. 8 Oregon visits No. 7 Washington for their first meeting when both are in the top 10.
The leadership at Washington State and Oregon State believe they will have information within the next 30 days that they need to evaluate whether it makes sense to rebuild under the Pac-12 brand.
The Pac-12 has three Top 25 matchups in the same week for the first time and just the 10th time in any conference. No. 19 Colorado at No. 10 Oregon tops the bill.
Michael Penix Jr. and the No. 8 Washington and traveling to East Lancing to visits Michigan State on Saturday. Both teams are 2-0. Washington is favored by 16 1/2 points.
No. 23 Washington State will host Northern Colorado on Saturday. It's a bridge game for the Cougars between last week's upset of Wisconsin and next week's Pac-12 Conference opener against No. 16 Oregon State.
The past 18 months have been a whirlwind for Washington State coach Jake Dickert and the entire Cougars program. Washington State is hoping for some stability this season even as its future conference affiliation remains up in the air.