Pac 12 Championship: Oregon over Utah

Pac 12 North

1. Oregon Ducks

Projected Record: 12-1 (8-1 Pac 12)

I’m all in on Oregon. They have a top three quarterback and one of the best offensive lines in the country. As long as the defense finishes similar to last year’s 55th ranking they are going to be alright. With seven returning starters on defense and almost everybody back on offense… this team is going to be good.

2. Washington Huskies

Projected Record: 10-2 (7-2 Pac 12)

Washington has major changes on the defensive side as they have to replace nine starters on defense. I think going from Jake Browning to Jacob Eason will actually be an upgrade to the quarterback position though. Washington takes a step forward on offense, but a step back on defense.

3. Stanford Cardinals

Projected Record: 8-4 (6-3 Pac 12)

Stanford has a young team this year. They are replacing a lot of starters on the defensive side and will have to find some new offensive weapons. QB K.J. Costello and a solid offensive line makes this team a contender in the Pac-12.

4. Washington State Cougars

Projected Record: 6-6 (3-6 Pac 12)

No Gardner Minshew and replacing a lot of defensive starters adds up to this not being a 11-2 cinderella team like last year. The offensive line is experienced, but expect Mike Leach to fall back closer to .500. Going to Houston will be a tough non-conference game for the Cougars.

5. California Golden Bears

Projected Record: 5-7 (3-6 Pac 12)

Cal has one of the best secondaries in the Pac-12, but other than that the Golden Bears are pretty underwhelming. The defense and CB Camryn Bynum will have to lead this team to some low scoring wins.

6. Oregon State Beavers

Projected Record: 2-10 (0-9 Pac 12)

The defense is bad and the offense is not good. There is still a lot of work to Oregon State being decent again.

Pac 12 South

1. Utah Utes

Projected Record: 10-3 (7-2 Pac 12)

Utah has one of the best and deepest defensive lines in the country. Their defense is going to give teams problems this year in the Pac-12. Offensively they return a lot of starters including QB Tyler Huntley and 1,000 yard rusher Zack Moss. Utah will win the division again.

2. USC Trojans

Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Pac 12)

QB JT Daniels should make an improvement and he has a ton of weapons including Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tyler Vaughns, and Michael Pittman. This USC team is just not as talented as other USC teams in the past as they’ve taken a step back in recruiting. Expect a more competitive USC team than last year.

3. Arizona State Sun Devils

Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Pac 12)

Arizona State was surprisingly decent last year. This year they will start a true freshman highly recruited QB Jayden Daniels. Expect growing pains early, but a strong finish in the Pac-12.

4. UCLA Bruins

Projected Record: 6-6 (4-5 Pac 12)

UCLA was awful last year as they transitioned to Chip Kelly’s offense. They return a ton of starters and will be better than last year’s 3-9 season. Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s development as a quarterback will be the key for a UCLA improvement.

5. Arizona Wildcats

Projected Record: 5-7 (3-6 Pac 12)

Can Khalil Tate be as dynamic as he was his Sophomore season? That is a huge question as this defense will again be not very good. Expect Arizona in a lot of shootouts especially  with the offense led by 1400 yard rusher J.J. Taylor.

6. Colorado Buffaloes

Projected Record: 5-7 (3-6 Pac 12)

Colorado has the top player in the Pac-12 with WR Laviska Shenault and that is about it. Senior QB Steven Montez has been solid,  but the offense will have to improve from it’s 75th ranked finish last year. Defensively, they replace a lot of key starters. Colorado will be an OK team this year, but a non-conference matchup against Nebraska keeps them just out of bowl bound.