PAC 12 Preview and Predictions

North

1. Oregon

            Oregon heads into another season where expectations couldn’t be any higher. They are preseason favorites by nearly every magazine, to not only be the best in the PAC-12 but a sure representative in the College Football Playoff. Returning star quarterback Marcus Mariota commanding the best offense in the country (despite the fact they lost All-American Bralon Addison to an ACL injury this spring). One thing not talked about nationally is the fact that defense has significantly improved over the years, and this maybe Eugene’s best unit to date. If the Ducks defense can match the offense, the Ducks can finally live up to those expectations. Oh, they just have to figure out how to beat Stanford.

2. Stanford

            Once again Stanford is predicted to finish below their northern rivals. Despite beating Oregon the past two seasons, and having both Kevin Hogan and Ty Montgomery anchoring potentially most explosive offense Stanford has had in years Stanford seems unable to capture the eye of the nation (let’s not make any mistakes, not anywhere near as explosive as Oregon…or when John Elway quarterbacked). One problem with Stanford this year is that they return only 12 starters, another is that they have road games against Washington, Arizona State, UCLA and have to travel to Eugene on November 1^st.  Head Coach David Shaw has proven to reload the o-line and defense, and he gets the most out of his players as much as any big time coach in the country. Stanford will stumble at times this year, but make no mistake, November 1^st will decide the North.

3. Washington

            In Chris Peterson’s first year at Washington he hopes to re-create the magic he had at Boise State. Peterson inherits a very talented group thanks to former head coach Steve Sarkisian who has now departed for USC, but it was Sarkisian who has restored a sense of winning in Washington and Peterson looks to continue to elevate that standard. Just one year ago, Washington brought Oregon into the 4^th quarter with a lead, but that game proved to be a microcosm of their status, just not yet ready to win those big games. All Chris Peterson ever did at Boise State, was win big games. He has to replace a lot of production on offense, with Bishop Sankey and Austin-Seferian Jenkins now playing in the NFL. If Peterson’s system can take shape quickly Washington may be able to win those big games, and be a dark horse contender in the North.

4.  Oregon State

            Every year Mike Reilly’s Beavers show promise, talent in the right places, but never seem to get over that proverbial hump in the PAC-12. Unfortunately Oregon State plays in one of the toughest divisions in College Football and have to travel to both USC and Stanford before they even get to their Civil War matchup with the Ducks. The good news is that Oregon State has been to back to back bowl games and they should be able to make three straight. While nobody in Corvallis is expecting Oregon State to contend for a title, last year Oregon State almost defeated their in-state rivals, 35-36, this year Oregon State can expect, and should expect the Beavers to win one of those big games.

5. Washington State

            Mike Leach has done a wonderful job by giving the Cougars something they have desperately needed in the past ten years…an identity. Last years 3 win improvement gave Cougar fans hope at a brighter future, the offense is starting to look the like offenses Leach built years ago at Texas Tech. Connor Holiday returns with almost all of his receivers and running backs returning. This could be Washington State’s best offensive season yet and if Washington State is on the rise, perhaps they can briefly contend in the PAC-12 North.

6. California

            Usually I have something mean or sarcastic to say about whichever team I project to finish in last place, but I only have positive things to say about California…except for the fact that they will most likely finish in last place. Despite the fact that head coach Sonny Dykes went 1-11 in his first season, things can only get better at Berkley. There are some positive signs. For one, California always manages to get an Elite 11 quarterback to attend their school. Sophomore Jared Goff was one of those guys, and last year, despite starting as a freshman, Goff threw 3500 yards, had a 18 TDS, and 10 INTs, while completing 60% of his passes.  California got him some help this offseason when they brought in 4-star recruit Eric Brown, a positive sign that Dykes can recruit with the upper echelon of PAC-12 teams. Now while the Golden Bears still will have growing pains this year, they will be heading in the right direction.

South

1. UCLA

            While all the talk in the PAC-12 is centered around the expectations of Oregon, their annual battle with Stanford, and the reemergence of USC, people tend to forget just how good UCLA is. Back for the Bruins is All-American QB Brett Hundley who could be the best/quietest QB prospect to come out in years paired with running back/linebacker sensation Myles Jack, the Bruins have superstar potential throughout the roster. UCLA also draws Oregon and Stanford from the North but they get them at home, as well as USC. The schedule is favorable, the talent is fair, and UCLA is the one team that nobody seems to be talking about. It’s a great formula for success.

2. USC

            USC enters the first year of the Steve Sarkisian era, which cannot come soon enough after the abysmal tenure of Lane Kiffin. Sarks inherits one of the best defense units in the country which should by him some time to revamp the offense into something similar as it was when he was an assistant under Pete Carroll. If USC can find a way to beat Stanford in the second game of the season, the schedule is very manageable until they travel to L.A. to battle with the Bruins for the PAC-12 title. USC’s nightmare looks to be coming to an end, but they still have a ways to go to get back to what they once were.

           

3. Arizona 

            Rich Rod seems to have found his mojo once again and he only had to go to the desert to find it. Arizona has won 8 games in back to back seasons and look to take another step forward in 2014. The offense may not have the same polish as his West Virginia teams did, they are still potent enough to make a good run in the PAC-12. There are a couple of freshman to keep an eye like Notre Dame transfer DaVonte’ Neal, who is only a sophomore with great speed and should be a perfect fit in Rich Rod’s offense. Now if he can only find a quarterback to get him the ball, the Wildcats could be rolling into bigger things.

4. Arizona State 

            While Arizona looks to find a signal-caller, their in-state rivals, the Sun Devils have one of the best in the business in Taylor Kelly. The PAC-12 is littered with good quarterbacks, and Kelly is one who flies under the radar, but could lead a very productive offense in 2014. Just a season ago Arizona State hosted the PAC-12 title game going 7-1 in the conference, and this year most experts have them from anywhere from 3-5 in the conference. This Sun Devils team returns only 8 starters, so the odds are stacked against them. But this is a team that comes in with a big chip on their shoulder, especially since more people want to talk about the upstart Wildcat program next door. Head Coach Todd Graham should have one motivated team.

5. Utah

            I’m not sure if Utah misses playing the Mountain West or not, but after going 9-18 in PAC-12 play, perhaps Utah wishes life was more like a video game and that they could just simply change the difficulty level, because they have clearly not been ready for the level play in this conference. The Utes have had their moments like when the beat Stanford last year, (and they always play well against Colorado) but Utah has too much working against them to make any progress this season.

6. Colorado

            Colorado has been so bad in recent memory it is too upsetting to mock their awfulness. But if they can win four games again perhaps that is something Boulder can have as a positive. 




                                                           Games to Watch


1. Oregon vs. Stanford

             Must watch television. The biggest game of the year outside the SEC.


2. UCLA vs. USC

             What should be must watch television and one game that nobody seems to be hyping up. But if both teams play the way they are expected to play, this game could have National Title implications. 


3. Oregon vs. Washington

            In what will be Chris Peterson's first true test as coach in Washington, the Huskies travel to Eugene on October 9th in what could be a trap game for Oregon. Just the week before Oregon travels UCLA, and that would have been a great matchup to post, but I have this game circled for good reason. This could be a glimpse into the future as Washington may finally have all it needs to become a power in the conference. We may get a glimpse of that on the 9th. 



                              PAC 12 Title Game: UCLA vs. Oregon

            In what will be a rematch of their October 2nd game, Oregon and UCLA will pair up again in the conference title game where the winner should go on to play in the playoff. Both Mariota and Hundley should light up the scoreboard at the 49ers new stadium and its almost a certainty that scouts will be drooling over this game if it should come to fruition. UCLA control of the PAC-12 South could be coming to an end with USC again on the rise. But this UCLA team has something that is very unique with the talent of Brett Hundley and Myles Jack. It will be the talent of the Bruins, that will shine in the title game and help them overcome the Mighty Ducks (not the Emilio Estevez squad) and win the PAC-12, and go on to the College Football Playoff.