The Pac-12 Is Still in the Mix For a Playoff Spot, but the Margin For Error Is Slim Posted Oct 20, 2017 Washington State’s 37–3 loss at Cal on Friday wasn’t just a shocking result for a Cougars team that had surged into the top 10 of the polls with six consecutive wins to open the season. It was a huge setback in the Pac-12’s quest to avoid missing the College Football Playoff for the second time in in three years. The conference nearly suffered another blow to its playoff hopes on Saturday. (Sports Illustrated)