Two down and 5 to go.

So far, the Pac-12’s postseason has been a mixed bag. Oregon State, dominant in a 30-3 Las Vegas Bowl win over Florida. Washington State, dominated in a 27-6 Los Angeles Bowl loss to Fresno State.

That leaves 5 teams left to have their fortunes decided one last time heading into 2023.

Here’s what is on the line for each of them.

Oregon: Can Ducks bounce back from emotional loss without key defensive stars?

Holiday Bowl, Dec. 28, vs. North Carolina

After losing to Georgia in a rout in Week 1, 49-3, the Oregon football team reeled off 8 consecutive wins to head to the top of the Pac-12 race. Then after a demoralizing loss to Washington in Week 11, the Ducks righted the ship with a 20-17 win over No. 10 Utah in Week 12.

Then the wheels came off once more one week late in the rivalry loss to Oregon State, a defeat that cost the Ducks a chance at the Pac-12 title. How will Oregon respond with a few weeks to get their heads back in the right space? While the Ducks’ heads might be in the right place, too many of their bodies won’t be. Oregon will be without the services of stud cornerback Christian Gonzalez, linebacker Noah Sewell and defensive end DJ Johnson.

If the Ducks were playing a different offense, that might not be so scary. Unfortunately for Dan Lanning and Co., they’ll be tested by stud quarterback Drake Maye. Like Oregon’s Bo Nix, Maye was a versatile threat in 2022, passing for  4,155 yards, 35 touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing for 653 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Washington: Can Huskies win 11 games for just 3rd time in 30 years?

Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, vs. Texas

It’s hard to truly capture the level to which Kalen DeBoer has raised the profile of the Washington Huskies in just 1 season.

This is not a program that has had lasting success over the past 3-plus decades, really since the days of Don James. For DeBoer to storm into Seattle and lead the Huskies to a 10-win regular season in his 1st season is one of the most impressive results in recent college football history. This is not Lincoln Riley returning USC to its former glory. The Trojans have fundamental advantages and a lengthier history than Washington.

Doing this in Seattle means the future is truly special. But a win in the Alamo Bowl over former head coach Steve Sarkisian would be more than just the cherry on the top of the sundae.

The difference between 10 wins and 11 wins is significant. So is the difference between 2 and 3 losses, Should DeBoer pull off the feat and win 11 games, it would be just the third time in the past 30 years.

UCLA: Can Bruins send Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Zach Charbonnet off on a good note?

Sun Bowl, Dec. 30, vs. Pitt

All signs point to UCLA being at nearly full strength for its Sun Bowl matchup with the Panthers, who will be missing several key contributors. That alone should tip the scales to the Bruins, but they’ll still need big-time performances from one of the best backfields the school has ever known.

It really can’t be overstated what the duo has meant to UCLA as the Bruins have reversed their fortunes under Chip Kelly. DTR’s maturation is arguably the single biggest key for the team’s turnaround.

Thompson-Robinson finished with a passer rating of just 122.3 as a true freshman back in 2018 and marginally improved as a sophomore, passing for 2,701 yards and 21 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. In 2020’s abbreviated campaign, he improved to a 156.3 passer rating and held strong the past 2 seasons, throwing for a combined 46 touchdowns and 13 interceptions as UCLA won 8 and 9 regular-season games, respectively.

He also formed a potent ground game along with Charbonnet, the transfer for Michigan who starred in Westwood for 2 seasons and is expected to test the NFL Draft waters. If the bowl is indeed his last performance for the Bruins, he made a lasting impact in his two years.

USC: Can Caleb Williams rebound — and more importantly, stay upright?

Cotton Bowl, Jan. 2, vs. Tulane

Lost in the dazzling dance moves of Caleb Williams is a simple question: Was all that escape artistry a good thing?

Williams drew comparisons to Patrick Mahomes for his ability to work his way out of trouble this season, but he only found himself in trouble when the Trojans were forced to play musical chairs up front.

Now, with star offensive linemen Andrew Vorhees and Brett Neilon missing the Cotton Bowl, Williams will be without his 2 most talented protectors. For all USC’s transfer portal success last year, the Trojans could’ve used more ready-made players up front. USC will have to turn to Bobby Haskins and Mason Murphy to fortify the line.

Luckily for the Trojans, pressure isn’t Tulane’s biggest strength as the Green Waves finished with just 24 sacks this year.

Utah: Can Utes exorcise their Rose Bowl demons?

Rose Bowl, Jan. 2, vs. Penn State

It’s one thing to lose in the Rose Bowl. It’s one thing to lose a close game. It’s another thing to allow 48 points, 500 yards and 6 passing touchdowns to even the best of quarterbacks, among which Ohio State’s CJ Stroud ranks. The Buckeyes’ 48-45 thrilling win last season was stuck in Kyle Whittingham’s craw for months as the Utes let the win slip away after OSU outscored them 17-7 in the 4th quarter.

This time, the Utes will face a Nittany Lions offense that has drastically less firepower than Ohio State’s. Utah will be missing some firepower of its own as stud tight end Dalton Kincaid is out with an injury. The Utes will also be missing key cornerback Clark Phillips III, who is preparing for the NFL Draft.