he answer to the second-biggest question facing Al

Two down, four to go.Stanford and USC have secured victories in rivalry games this season, but there are four left in the Pac-12 with both berths in the league championship game still on the line.Colorado controls its own destiny when it hosts Utah on Saturday. With a win, the Buffaloes claim the Pac-12 South Division outright. If Colorado loses, it drops into a tie in the standings with USC, and the Trojans, who have finished conference play, will win the South because they beat the Buffaloes 21-17 back on Oct. 8.The showdown between Washington and Washington in the Apple Cup on Friday night will decide the Pac-12 North. Both teams are 7-1 in conference play.The league title game is set for Friday, Dec. 2, at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, California.Stanford won the Big Game against rival Cal 45-31 last weekend and now finishes the regular season at home against Rice, while the Golden Bears host UCLA. The Trojans, who beat the rival Bruins 36-14 at the Rose Bowl, host longtime non-conference rival Notre Dame on Saturday.A look at the conference rivalry games this weekend in the Pac-12:WASHINGTON-WASHINGTON STATESeries began: 1900.Series record: Washington leads 70-32-6.Trophy: Apple Cup.Why its a big deal: The game is for the Pac-12 North title, which has been claimed by either Sanford or Oregon since the league expanded and a conference championship game was created in 2011.Best game: The most memorable game in recent years came in 2012. Washington State trailed 28-10 in the fourth quarter but Cougars quarterback Jeff Tuel led his team to a pair of touchdown drives. After Andrew Furneys field goal tied it, Washingtons Travis Coons missed a 35-yard FG attempt and sent the game to overtime. Furneys field goal gave Washington State a 31-28 victory in the biggest comeback in Apple Cup history and gave Mike Leach the rivalry win in his first season with the Cougars. Of course, the 2002 triple-overtime marathon in Pullman is high on the list: The Huskies upset the No. 3 Cougars 29-26.This year: The game is crucial to the Huskies (10-1 overall) to preserve a shot at the College Football Playoff. Washington is currently No. 6 in both the CFP rankings and the Top 25 .OREGON-OREGON STATESeries began: 1894.Series record: Oregon leads 63-46-10.Trophy: Called the Civil War, the games unofficial prize is the Platypus Trophy, awarded each year to the alumni association of the winning team. Lore has it that the platypus was chosen because it has a duck bill and a beaver tail, so it represents the mascots of both schools.Why its a big deal: The winner will avoid finishing in the Pac-12 North basement. Three teams -- Oregon, Oregon State and Cal -- are currently 2-6 in league play with one game to go.Best game: The Ducks entered the 1994 Civil War tied with USC for the Pac-10 championship and needed a win to clinch their first Rose Bowl berth since 1957. Trailing 13-10, Danny ONeil drove the team 70 yards, hitting Dino Philyaw for a 19-yard touchdown with 3:47 to play, giving Oregon a 17-13 victory.This year: The Ducks have just four wins this season, but theyre coming off a 30-28 upset of No. 11 Utah. The chances are slim, but with a fifth victory Oregon could be considered for a bowl bid if there are not enough six-win teams to fill all the games.ARIZONA STATE-ARIZONASeries began: 1899.Series record: Arizona leads 48-40-1.Trophy: Territorial Cup, which is recognized by the NCAA as the oldest rivalry trophy.Why its a big deal: Its at Arizona Stadium, which is key because the home team has won in each of the past three seasons and the Wildcats are still looking for their first conference win. Arizona and Rutgers are the only two teams in the Power Five conference that are winless in their leagues.Best Game: Arizona was ranked No. 12 and Arizona State was No. 8 in 1975 when the two teams met with the Fiesta Bowl in reach. Arizona State receiver John Jefferson made an amazing catch to narrow Arizonas lead to 14-10. While the lead changed hands in the second half, Sun Devils quarterback Dennis Sprouls 1-yard keeper was the go-ahead touchdown that sent undefeated ASU on to a victory over Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl.This year: At 5-6 overall, Arizona State needs one more win to become bowl eligible. The Sun Devils have made the postseason for the last five straight years. Arizona hasnt gone winless in conference play since 1957.UTAH-COLORADOSeries began: 1903.Series record: Colorado leads 31-28-3.Trophy: Its been called the Rumble in the Rockies, but theres no official trophy. The rivalry was dormant for several decades before it was revived when both teams joined the Pac-12 in 2011.Why its a big deal: Utahs true rivalry game is the Holy War against BYU. Colorado has the Rocky Mountain Showdown against Colorado State. But a win against a Pac-12 recruiting foe never hurts.Best game: In 1961, the Utes were just 5-3 heading into the game against No. 8 Colorado in Boulder. The undefeated Buffaloes jumped out to a 6-0 lead but Utah scored three unanswered touchdowns and held off the Orange Bowl-bound Buffaloes 21-12.This year: The No. 21 Utes fell out of the running for the Pac-12 South title with a loss to Oregon last weekend. The No. 9 Buffaloes, who havent been ranked this high since 2002, must win outright to claim the Pac-12 South and secure a spot in the league championship game. Should Colorado win the title game, it goes to the Rose Bowl for the first time ever.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. Larry Allen Jersey . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. Randy White Jersey . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. http://www.shoptheofficialcowboys.com/Elite-Chuck-Howley-Cowboys-Jersey/ . After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. Roger Staubach Jersey . Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup. Tony Dorsett Jersey . Sulaiman, 44, was chosen unanimously Tuesday in a vote by the leadership, the World Boxing Council said. Sulaiman becomes the sixth president of the organization. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Thursday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- DENVER -- Von Miller faces Cam Newton again in the 2016 NFL opener as the Denver Broncos host the Carolina Panthers, whom they beat 24-10 in the Super Bowl seven months ago. Kickoff is 8:30 p.m.- Ryan Lochte is banned from swimming through next June and will forfeit $100,000 in bonus money that went with his gold medal at the Olympics, part of the penalty for his drunken encounter at a gas station in Brazil during last months games.- NEW YORK -- A year after her Grand Slam bid ended in the U.S. Open semifinals, Serena Williams is back at that stage, pursuing a record 23rd major title. She faces Karolina Pliskova, while No. 2 Angelique Kerber meets two-time runner-up Caroline Wozniacki in the second womens semifinal.- NEW YORK -- Having flopped with the New York Jets, Tim Tebow will try to resurrect his career as an outfielder with the New York Mets.- ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Khalil Mack followed a solid rookie season with a historic second campaign for the Raiders. Now he sees even more room for growth after getting 15 sacks and becoming the first player to be a first-team All Pro at two positions in 2015.- CARMEL, Ind. -- Rory McIlroy goes after a second straight FedEx Cup victory when the BMW Championship begins at Crooked SStick.dddddddddddd- CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Formula One is getting a new owner, one based in the U.S., no less. The change at the top should mean that Liberty Media will take a new approach toward bringing the racing league into the North American market.- TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The answer to the second-biggest question facing Alabamas backfield on opening week: Damien Harris. While most of the focus was on the top-ranked Crimson Tides quarterback competition, Harris grabbed the early edge in the battle of former five-star tailbacks vying to replace Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry.- PHOENIX -- The early portion of the college football season is filled with games between elite teams and lower-tier programs, leading to numerous blowouts. How the coaches handle those blowouts can vary greatly.- SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Shaquille ONeal, Allen Iverson and Yao Ming head the class of inductees introduced for the Basketball Hall of Fame.- BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Manny Pacquiao is determined to fight on, even without Floyd Mayweather or HBO. The 37-year-old Filipino senator says he needs the money hell make when he returns in November to fight for Jessie Vargas WBO welterweight title in a pay-per-view bout staged by his promoter, Top Rank. ' ' '