USA TODAY International Edition
Washington tops Pac-12 rankings
Stanford, Utah, USC to challenge for conference title
New recruits are on campus. Position battles have been settled, by and large. New coaches have acclimated themselves to their new surroundings.
Football is almost here. USA TODAY will spend the remaining weeks until late August breaking down the power rankings in each conference in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Next up is the Pac-12. No league outside of the Atlantic Coast Conference seems to have such a clear-cut favorite. In Washington, the Pac-12 has a team more than capable of making a return trip to the College Football Playoff.
1. Washington
The opener against Auburn will be a revealing test for a team pegged as the class of the Pac-12 and a strong threat to finish among the top four. What’s not to like? Washington has one of the nation’s elite coaches in Chris Petersen. One of the nation’s most experienced backfields in quarterback Jake Browning and running back Myles Gaskin. This should again be one of the top defensive units in the country. There’s talent, depth, experience and outstanding coaching. There’s a reason the Huskies will be tough to beat, not just in the Pac-12 but against any opponent in the FBS.
2. Stanford
Stanford is nipping at the Huskies’ heels, and it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the Cardinal take home another North championship. The offense is driven by the preseason Heisman Trophy favorite in running back Bryce Love. The defense lost some star power, including wildly underrated lineman Harrison Phillips, but it’s foolish to expect anything less than a top-level performance on that side of the ball. Some relative youth at quarterback is worrisome, but there’s no doubting the talent level K.J. Costello brings to the table.
3. Utah
Here’s a sleeper pick to take home the South. There’s a line of thought that pegs Utah as the team to beat not in 2018 but a year down the road, when a young roster adds another year of experience. But the division is so unsettled that the Utes might have the best chance of reaching the conference title game. As always, Kyle Whittingham will have Utah ready to go come September.
4. Southern California
The big issue for USC is at quarterback, where it’s only fair to expect a significant decline in production in the transition from Sam Darnold to true freshman J.T. Daniels. But the talent is there. The defense is an unquestioned strength. And there is speed and athleticism to burn at the offensive skill positions, so the Trojans could make another run at a New Year’s Six bowl if Daniels lives up to his massive expectations.
5. Oregon
Oregon is a solid step behind Washington and Stanford yet still a realistic contender to net eight wins during the regular season and eventually squeeze into the back end of the Amway Coaches Poll. Much of the optimism stems from the play of junior quarterback Justin Herbert, who could be one of the nation’s best if he stays healthy. Another asset? The Ducks draw Washington and Stanford at home.
6. Arizona
It’s intriguing to consider the fit between new coach Kevin Sumlin and quarterback Khalil Tate, who stands just behind Love among the league’s Heisman contenders. Sumlin has used a wide-open offense before; that suggests the relationship will be a fruitful one. Yet there are holes on this roster that Sumlin must address on the recruiting trail. In addition, question marks abound on a defense that must get out of the bottom third of the Pac-12.
7. Washington State
Washington State shouldn’t be viewed as a valid contender in the North, though anything less than another bowl trip and seven or eight wins would be taken as a disappointment. The offense will roll, since Mike Leach’s offenses always do, and the Cougars’ stretch of home games in the second half could lead to a strong close to the regular season. But Oregon’s rise and California’s improvement makes wins harder to come by.
8. UCLA
The first year of the Chip Kelly era brings tempered expectations. Given the personnel on the roster, and how the returning offensive contributors fit Kelly’s scheme, it’s idiotic to assume anything more than a bowl berth. What will be more interesting to follow is how the Bruins grasp Kelly’s system, on the field and off, and how the program develops in advance of what should be a more competitive 2019 season.
9. California
Justin Wilcox should be praised for the work he did last fall, his first with the program. Few expected Cal to be in the bowl mix in November. The next step is moving into the postseason, and the Golden Bears have that potential in 2018. One issue, however: the schedule. Cal draws North Carolina and Brigham Young in September before taking on a particular daunting conference slate. It still wouldn’t be a surprise to see this team at six wins come December.
10. Arizona State
Are you excited? I am. And you should be, too. If nothing else, Herm Edwards’ tenure promises to be interesting. That’s good enough. Whether ASU can be a factor in the South is another matter. While the personnel is strong in spots, particularly at receiver, the Sun Devils remain one of nation’s great enigmas due to Edwards’ inexperience on the college level.
11. Colorado
Colorado’s division title in 2016 seems much longer than just two years ago. The Buffaloes enter a make-orbreak year for coach Mike MacIntyre, who was unable to capitalize on the goodwill accumulated during that great season, and will begin the year at the bottom of the South.
12. Oregon State
On paper, Oregon State is firmly among the weakest Power Five teams in the country. It’s not ridiculous to also list the Beavers among the weakest teams in the FBS, period. It’ll be a long and often painful process for first-year head coach Jonathan Smith as the new staff attempts to lift OSU off the bottom rung in the Pac-12.