On the run: Pac-12 not just about passing

"We have to get more out of those plays," Arizona coach Mike Stoops said.

At Stanford, quarterback Andrew Luck has garnered most of the attention and for good reason. The senior returned to Stanford instead of bolting for the NFL and is a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, throwing for 786 yards and eight touchdowns with one interception.

But the Cardinal's forte is its powerful running game, led by a physical offensive line and fast but strong back Stepfan Taylor, who's averaging 5.4 yards per carry on a team that nets 196 yards rushing and 285 passing.

"That's who we are and who we've always been," Shaw said. "When coach Harbaugh first got here, we talked about establishing a balanced attack and it's been constant, what we've tried to do from the beginning."

It's turned into a pretty good blueprint.