Who won the 7-game schedule matchups?

The Pac-12 Hotline went waist deep into the scheduling waters last week, not once but twice. Let’s take one more plunge — specifically, into the 2020 schedule.

Our general view is that home field won’t carry the same advantage without fans, but we’re hardly prepared to ignore location — to view all games as neutral site matchups. That said, here are the winners and losers from the sevengame schedule, based on our highly-subjective view:

WINNlR >> Stanford. The Cardinal drew Colorado for the North-South crossover game and visits two of the toughest venues (Oregon and Washington) when they will be fan-free. Also, half of Stanford’s opponents — the Washington schools and Colorado — have new head coaches, new playcallers, new quarterbacks and did not conduct any spring practice because of the shutdown. Two of the other three, Oregon State and Oregon, have new quarterbacks.

LOSlR >> Oregon State. The crossover is at altitude (Salt Lake City) in December, when it’s nice and balmy. Also, the Beavers have a rugged four-game stretch in the middle of their lineup ( Washington, Cal, Oregon and Utah). If they don’t win the opener against WSU, the forecast could quickly turn gloomy.

WINNlR >> Oregon. The Ducks were originally supposed to face USC, but the framework of the revised schedule didn’t allow for that showdown. Instead, the Ducks get UCLA at home. They couldn’t have asked for a wider path to pursue an unlikely playoff berth.

LOSlR >> UCLA. Not only did the Bruins draw Oregon on the road as their crossover, it’s the second half of back-to-back Friday night games and follows the always-taxing matchup with Utah.

WILNlR >> PAol 3

Online: Jon Wilner writes about Pac-12 football and basketball almost every day of the year. Sign up for his newsletter and never miss a thing.

It’s easy and it’s free. Go to mercurynews.com/hotline.