Warning: Shake-up below.

I’ve reconfigured the bowl projections based on changes in expected results over the final two weeks.

Much of that change is based on Stanford’s finish, which itself is based on 1) Bryce Love’s gimpy ankle and 2) the Cardinal’s vulnerable run defense facing Notre Dame’s powerhouse ground game.

The outcome is irrelevant to the Pac-12 race but for the bowl selections.

There is no change at the top:

No reasonable path exists for USC to sneak into the playoff … or for the Pac-12 to send a second team into the New Year’s Six.

Fiesta Bowl/New Year’s Six: USC

Comment: Expecting the Trojans, rested and ready after two weeks to prepare, to win the conference championship and advance to the NY6. The Cotton is an option, albeit unlikely. Can’t envision the selection committee sending USC to Atlanta for the Peach. That wouldn’t make much sense.

Alamo Bowl: Washington

Comment: I’ll believe Washington State can beat the Huskies in the Leach-Petersen era when I see it. For now, the Hotline projects UW to win the Apple Cup and Stanford the division (then losing to USC in the title game). The Huskies, at 10-2 and ranked in the top 15 or so, are the best option for the Alamo.

Holiday Bowl: Arizona

Comment: Picking the Wildcats to beat Arizona State and finish 6-3, which puts them in play for any of the non-NY6 games so long as USC jumps into the NY6. (The Trojans would be slotted ahead of Arizona in the Alamo-Holiday-Foster Farm selections because of the two-game difference in conference record). Guessing the Holiday passes on skidding Stanford and Washington State (2016 participant) and welcomes Arizona.

Foster Farms Bowl: Washington State

Comment: Given the choice of WSU or Stanford, which did not draw well for its 2014 appearance — and will have just played in Levi’s Stadium in the title game — the Foster Farms invites WSU and gets Luke Falk in his final game.

Sun Bowl: Arizona State

Comment: At 5-4, the Sun Devils aren’t an option for the Sun with 7-2 Stanford available, except conference rules are meant to be broken. To avoid a Stanford repeat in El Paso, the Pac-12 arranges a swap that sends ASU to the Sun. It’s not ideal, but the Devils, who have fired Todd Graham after a 6-6 season and Territorial Cup defeat, agree in the best interest of the greater good. Related Articles UCLA fires Jim Mora: On the Chip Kelly calculation, Dan Guerrero’s legacy, the China factor and this moment in time

Saturday Night Five: Bowl updates, Heisman hopes fade, USC’s big edge, Herbert for MVP and the byes had it

The 2018 football schedule is out, and it’s better … much better

Las Vegas Bowl: Stanford

Comment: With Love out/hobbled, the Cardinal loses to Notre Dame, then gets beat by the well-rested Trojans in the title game to finish 8-5, with a two-game losing streak. The Holiday and Foster Farms pass, and the Sun begs off. But it’s not all bad: The Cardinal hasn’t played in Las Vegas.

Cactus Bowl: Oregon

Comment: The Ducks roll Oregon State, finish 7-5 and are atop the Cactus Bowl’s wish list. (Their last appearance: Never.) The bowl’s other option, UCLA, is a distant second.

At large: UCLA

Comment: Bruins could head to the Weed-Eater Beef Jerky Gasket Bowl, it wouldn’t matter. The extra practices are what matters, so the returnees can be better prepared for the onset of the Les Miles era.

(Kidding!)

At-large: Colorado.

Comment: The rested Buffaloes commit four turnovers and 11 penalties but qualify for the postseason by beating Utah in 50-below temperatures in Salt Lake City (kickoff: 8 p.m. MT) when Utes coach Kyle Whittingham plays it safe and opts for a PAT with no time left … only to have it clank off the left upright in a 31-30 loss.

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