Aside from the SEC this season, the Pac 12 is probably considered the best conference in college football. There are two teams ranked in the preseason top-five, and five teams ranked in the top-25. Last preseason the Pac 12 had the No.1 ranked team in the country in the USC Trojans, but that didn’t last long. This season’s crop of highly ranked preseason teams in Oregon and Stanford might have more merit behind them.
In fact, many believe that either one of these two teams have what it takes to match the size and speed out of the SEC. The Pac 12 is pretty deep this season, and when it comes to predicting the North Division, South Division, and ultimately the conference champion, it can be a bit of a toss up; especially with the Ducks and Cardinal in the same division. We give a rundown of all 12 teams in the conference this season, and some key points to highlight with the start of the season about to begin.
The Oregon Ducks might possess the most speed of any team in the country on both sides of the ball. Offensively, we know that the Ducks will continue the up-tempo philosophy installed by Chip Kelly despite the fact that he is not gone to the Eagles. Oregon was 2nd in the country in scoring offense last season, putting up 49.2 points per game. Quarterback Marcus Mariota returns, as does running back De’Anthony Thomas. The Thursday night trip to Stanford might be where the North Division is decided.
Stanford draws comparisons to many SEC teams for their style of play. They run a pro style offense under head coach David Shaw, and play some great defense. The defense ranked 11th nationally in points allowed. This is a defense that returns eight starters. They also return seven starters on offense, so there will be plenty of experience. Stanford’s fate will likely be decided over a four-week stretch, beginning with four preseason ranked teams in UCLA, Oregon State, Oregon, and USC.
USC comes in with significantly lower expectations this season than last, but that’s ok with Lane Kiffin and his program. The Trojans are still trying to figure out a starting quarterback, and will play two in their season-opener against Hawaii on the road. Offensively at the skill positions USC is loaded with talent in receiver Marqise Lee, and running back Silas Redd. For The Trojans to challenge for the Pac 12 conference though, they will have to get that quarterback situation set.
Arizona had one of the most prolific and balanced offenses in the country in 2012, ranking 23rd in passing and 15th in rushing. That culminated into an average of more than 38 points per game. Arizona returns all 11 starters on the defensive side of the ball, so there can likely be some improvement expected on that side of the ball. The Wildcats avoid Stanford on the schedule, but do have to play Oregon from the North Division, at home. Arizona ends with Oregon and Arizona State to cap of the season.
There are a lot of people high up on Arizona State this season. The Sun Devils bring back 15 total starters, including quarterback Taylor Kelly who anchored the nation’s 15th ranked scoring offense. The defensive line should be among the best in the Pac 12 with Wll Sutton and Carl Bradford ready to get after quarterbacks and shut down the run. Arizona State does not play Oregon but they does go on the road against Stanford in Week 3. Non-conference games against Wisconsin and Notre Dame are also intriguing.
The Bruins drew the short straw for the Pac 12 schedule for 2013. They get both Stanford and Oregon from the North division as their two opponents from that side. Not only that, they have to go on the road to play them. And what’s more, they are in back-to-back weeks in the middle of October. UCLA has 12 starters coming back including quarterback Brett Hundley.
Oregon State squeaked into the preseason top-25, ranked No.25 in the country. The Beavers are an interesting team this season, overshadowed by Stanford and Oregon in the North. Oregon State will get their shot a both, with the season-finale on the road against Oregon in the Civil War. Running back Storm Woods was a near 1,000-yard rusher last season, and receiver Brandin Cooks had almost 1,200 yards. Both of those guys are back and will warrant attention.
Washington was overlooked in the preseason poll but they could be a team that many are looking at during the season. With 18 starters coming back, the Huskies could make some noise in the Pac 12. Quarterback Keith Price leased the way, as well as running back Bishop Sankey. Washington gets Stanford and Oregon right in a row in October. The Huskies open up against Boise State, which will set the tone.
Utah is a team being overshadowed in the South division, and come into the 2013 season with something to prove. The Utes will have several fresh faces, as only six starters on each side of the ball return. Oregon and Stanford are both on the schedule so that makes things difficult outside of their South division matchups. Utah went just 3-6 in conference play last season, but have the chance to improve on that and reach a bowl game.
Sometimes a schedule is just plain tough, and that happens to be the case with the Cal Bears. Entering the season, the Bears have three top-five teams to play. Aside from Oregon and Stanford who are both in the division, Cal will host No.2 Ohio State in Week 3. That’s after opening up at home against another Big Ten ranked team in Northwestern. The Bears have their work cut out for them. It could be a tough road ahead.
The good thing for Washington State is that they return 18 starters, nine on both sides of the ball. The bad news is that those starters last year didn’t amount to much. They were 108th in the country in points scored, and 101st in the country in points allowed. That’s not a recipe for winning games. There will need to be significant improvement. It might be tough for the Cougars to make a bowl game this year.
Colorado had the worst record in the Pac 12 last season, managed just one win in conference with a 1-8 record. They were 120th in scoring, and 124th in defense out of 125 total teams. There are 16 starters coming back for the Buffaloes, so it will be interesting to see how they make adjustments and improvements. It can’t be much worse than 2012, so we will all wait and see for 2013.