Marcus Mariota and Oregon couldn't wrap up a spot in the Pac-12 Championship. (Scott Enyeart/NT)

Both games were placed in loud atmospheres in which the fans realized the implications of their team’s victories. Oregon and UCLA hosted what became their semi-final matchups for the Pac-12 Championship Game.

The Eight-Clap was out and rolling in Pasadena, while the Nike Complex in Eugene was ready to erupt all night, with the Ducks high-tempo offense. But in Eugene, the evening was not as fun and exciting as it was for Bruins fans.

WHAT HAPPENED, CHIP KELLY?

Oregon's freshman sensation QB Marcus Mariota looked rattled against the Stanford defense, which ranked No. 1 in the nation against the rush. Mariota gashed off a huge 77-yard run on the opening drive but could not convert that drive into points.

Stanford freshman starter, Kevin Hogan outplayed Mariota, throwing for more yards (211 to 207), while also having a much higher completion percentage. In his first true road start, Hogan played very efficiently and only turned the football over once.

Stanford controlled the time of possession with a strong running game. Stepfan Taylor carried the rock 33 times for 167 yards. The Cardinal offense was able to rush the ball 46 times on the night, actually outrushing the top-ranked Oregon attack, 200 yards to 198.

The Ducks will be beating themselves up for many missed opportunities, most notably two missed field goals by Alejandro Maldonado, including a 37-yard shot in overtime.

Oregon head coach Chip Kelly looked despondent after the game and was close to breaking down in tears. To reach the Pac-12 Championship Game, the Ducks will now need to defeat a hot Oregon State club and pray that the young Stanford Cardinal can lose to UCLA next week in Pasadena.

Johnathan Franklin's 185 total yards kept UCLA's Rose Bowl hopes alive. (James Santelli/NT)

The Bruins jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. UCLA even countered USC’s third-quarter run to cut the game to 24-20. UCLA scored late in the fourth to push the lead to ten, which would be enough for the 38-28 win.

UCLA's Brett Hundley played like the better quarterback and outdueled fifth-year senior Matt Barkley. Hundley was composed, confident and even used his legs to escape the pressure supplied by USC. Johnathan Franklin remained quite the running back, breaking tackles at will against the USC defense. Franklin is continuing his surprise Heisman campaign with 1441 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

Not only was UCLA strong offensively, but the defense also came ready to play. Free safety Tevin McDonald played like a shutdown corner, putting constant pressure on Marqise Lee making life tough on the elite wide receiver. Adam Scott recorded his first interception of the season, setting the stage for UCLA’s first score.

UCLA defeated its cross-town rival for the first time since 2006, and in doing so, won the Pac-12 South Division. Not only did UCLA win, Jim Mora looked like the more competent coach that had a firm grasp on the direction of the program.

The atmosphere in Pasadena was electric, as more than 83,000 packed the Rose Bowl watched UCLA's victory. It may have been one game, but the intensity exhibited by the UCLA fan base was admirable (while also incredibly impressive) given their years in the Los Angeles football cellar

Lane Kiffin says he has been assured he will be back in 2013. (James Santelli/NT)

Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin's post-game press conference was somber and despondent, like many this season. The man sitting fresh on the coaching hot seat delivered no sense of security or leadership at a dangerous time for USC football. Although athletic director Pat Haden gave Kiffin a vote of confidence for 2013, which could be the kiss of death, the coach has many questions to answer.

First and foremost, how can a team not be prepared for the ultimate matchup vs. UCLA? Secondly, will Matt Barkley tie up the laces this week or will redshirt freshman Max Wittek take center stage against No. 1 Notre Dame? Finally, how will you convince star recruits to stay around in the future after playing such undisciplined football?

The mojo that made USC football dominant in the early decade has disappeared. The 2012 team simply did not fulfill expectations, with a state of under-performing players taking center stage.

If USC were to lose their next game, the 7-5 Trojans would have the worst record ever for a preseason No. 1 ranked team. Regardless, an entire season of disappointment could be perfectly summated by the ebbs and flows that occurred against UCLA.

REST OF PAC NOT TOO SHABBY

-- Oregon State looked impressive over Cal, winning 62-14 behind four touchdowns by Sean Mannion. Mannion started this week after sitting behind Cody Vaz a week ago, and he played like a motivated gunslinger. Give credit to head coach Mike Riley, who has done an excellent job of turning this Oregon State program into an elite Pac-12 program whom will most likely play in the Holiday Bowl.

Next week’s Civil War versus Oregon could give the Beavers a chance to tie up a top-15 campaign and deprive Oregon of a shot in the Pac-12.

-- Washington is the final ranked team in the Pac-12 after walloping Colorado. And what else is new, quarterback Keith Price loved playing Colorado, dishing out five touchdown passes with only seven incompletions.

With a game remaining against Washington State, Washington looks to become the fourth Pac-12 team (or fifth if USC pulls the upset over Notre Dame) to win 8 games. That would set a new Pac-12 record, and this conference will have the talent to compete during bowl season.

Reach Staff Writer Evan Budrovich here or follow him on Twitter.