Matt Murschel:
Toughest Pac-12 nonconference schedules.
New Oregon coach Willie Taggart will face the toughest slate among Pac-12 teams.
Check out our rankings of the Pac-12 nonconference schedules from toughest to easiest. OREGON Schedule: Sept. 2 vs. Southern Utah; Sept. 9 vs. Nebraska; Sept. 16 at Wyoming
The Buzz: The rebuilding Ducks look to snap a two-game losing streak to Big Ten teams when they host Nebraska in a rematch of last season’s 35-32 loss in Lincoln. Oregon will close nonconference play with a matchup against muchimproved Wyoming program. UTAH Schedule: Aug. 31 vs. North Dakota; Sept. 9 at BYU; Sept. 16 vs. San Jose State The Buzz: Utah renews its Holy War rivalry with BYU in hostile Provo, where the Utes have won 10 of the past 14 games. Utah will later look to extend a fourgame win streak against San Jose State. USC
Schedule: Sept. 2 vs. Western Michigan; Sept. 16 vs. Texas; Oct. 21 at Notre Dame The Buzz: USC is one of just two teams in the Pac-12 that will face two teams from Power 5 conferences: Texas and Notre Dame. The Trojans had a tougher slate last season (Alabama, Utah State and Notre Dame), but all three of the 2017 opponents are still formidable. UCLA
Schedule: Sept. 3 vs. Texas A&M; Sept. 9 vs. Hawaii; Sept. 16 at Memphis
The Buzz: For the second consecutive year, UCLA opens against Texas A&M, this time at the Rose Bowl on a Sunday night. The Bruins dropped last season’s matchup 31-24, snapping a four-game win streak against teams from the Southeastern Conference. CALIFORNIA
Schedule: Sept. 2 at North Carolina; Sept. 9 vs. Weber State; Sept. 16 vs. Ole Miss
The Buzz: Cal opens the season on the road for the second consecutive season, but Chapel Hill, N.C., is an easier road trip than last year’s opening journey to Sydney, Australia. COMMENTARY The Golden Bears will later look to improve on a 6-11 record against SEC teams when they face Ole Miss. OREGON STATE
Schedule: Aug. 26 at Colorado State; Sept. 2 vs. Portland State; Sept. 9 vs. Minnesota
The Buzz: Oregon State has momentum entering the season opener at Colorado State. The Beavers are 13-3 alltime against teams from the Mountain West, including a 4-1 record away from Corvallis. Oregon State will later look to avenge last season’s 30-23 loss at Minnesota. WASHINGTON STATE Schedule: Sept. 2 vs. Montana State; Sept. 9 vs. Boise State; Sept. 23 vs. Nevada
The Buzz: Washington State has dropped its past five season openers, including the past two against FCS foes (Portland State, Eastern Washington). The Cougars will try to end that streak against Montana State before facing strong Boise State and Nevada teams. ARIZONA STATE
Schedule: Aug. 31 vs. New Mexico State; Sept. 9 vs. San Diego State; Sept. 16 at Texas Tech
The Buzz: Arizona State is one of four Pac-12 teams that won’t face an FCS team in 2017. The Sun Devils will be tested by defending Mountain West champion San Diego State and Texas Tech’s high powered passing attack. ARIZONA
Schedule: Sept. 2 vs. Northern Arizona; Sept. 9 vs. Houston; Sept. 16 at UTEP The Buzz: Arizona is one of three teams (Colorado, Washington State) in the league without a contest against a team from a Power 5 conference on its nonconference schedule. A second week showdown with Houston will likely be the Wildcats’ biggest challenge. STANFORD
Schedule: Aug. 26 vs. Rice; Sept. 16 at San Diego State; Nov. 25 vs. Notre Dame
The Buzz: For the second consecutive year, a Pac-12 team will kick off the season in Australia — this time with Stanford taking on Rice. The Cardinal will later face strong San Diego State and Notre Dame squads. COLORADO
Schedule: Sept. 1 vs. Colorado State (at Denver); Sept. 9 vs. Texas State; Sept. 16 vs. Northern Colorado
The Buzz: Colorado’s nonconference schedule doesn’t include another Power 5 team and the toughest matchup will be against in-state rival Colorado State, a team the Buffaloes have defeated three out of the past four years. WASHINGTON
Schedule: Sept. 1 at Rutgers; Sept. 9 vs. Montana; Sept. 16 vs. Fresno State
The Buzz: The defending Pac-12 champions will open the 2017 season at rebuilding Rutgers. The Huskies will return home with the goal of extending their streak of 15 consecutive home wins over nonconference foes. The Insider: Colleges