So, um, has Lane Kiffin named a quarterback yet?
Arizona
Rich Rodriguez hasn’t named a starting quarterback yet. Senior B.J. Denker appears to be leading the race, but it’s possible two or even three QBs could see time in the opener. Whoever the quarterback ends up being, he has a heck of a weapon in the backfield in running back Ka’Deem Carey. Carey’s 1,929 rushing yards led the nation last season. Receiver Austin Hill is injured and likely out until at least November, leaving that unit fairly green. Expect the Wildcats to lean on Carey quite a bit. He’ll have three returning starters to open holes for him on the line.
Arizona runs an unusual 3-3-5 defense under coordinator Jeff Casteel, with a three-man line, three linebackers, and five defensive backs. Last season, Casteel’s first, the unit has major problems, allowing 499 yards per game and ranking last or second-to-last in the conference in basically all major stats. Eleven starters are back, although some will likely be reserves this season.
As if it needed more uncertainty, the team will be using a new kicker and punter this year.
Prediction: This team has lost too many players from last year not to take a step back. The good news is that the defense will likely be better in year two of the current scheme. 7-5.
Arizona State
Finally, a team that has a definite starting quarterback. Junior Taylor Kelly was responsible for 29 TDs last season and has a couple of returning targets at his disposal, as well as five from the 2013 signing class; it’s possible at least a couple of them could contribute. The team also has a couple of very capable running backs in senior Marion Grice (11 TDs last year) and sophomore D.J. Foster, and three returning starters on the offensive line.
The front seven of the defense is deep and has a ton of experience, with six starters returning. Among them is tackle Will Sutton, who had 13 sacks last season. Last year’s defense had one glaring weakness, though- stopping the run. ASU ranked first in the Pac-12 in pass defense and second in total defense, but just 10th in rushing defense. More experience up front should help. The pass rush should be excellent- which is good, as the secondary is less experienced.
Freshmen are very much in the mix for both kicking and punting duties.
Prediction: This defense should be excellent, and as long as someone emerges as a go-to receiver, the offense shouldn’t be too shabby either. 8-4.
Colorado
New head coach Mike MacIntyre takes the helm in Boulder. There’s currently a three-man battle at the quarterback spot, with 2012 starter Jordan Webb out for the year with a torn ACL, and MacIntyre plans to hold off on choosing a starter. Whoever wins will have receiver Paul Richardson at his disposal, after Richardson missed all of 2012 due to injury. Several talented running backs could see time and contribute. Four starting offensive linemen return, but standout David Bakhtiari is not among them, having gone to the NFL. With three sophomores and a freshman on the two-deep, depth along the line has to be a concern.
Last year’s defense had a lot of issues, none more glaring than an inability to stop the run. The Buffs gave up nearly 500 hundred yards of offense per game, well over 200 of them on the ground. The bright spot was pass defense, which was only fourth-worst in the Pac-12. The defensive line is in decent shape, but again, there are three sophomores and a freshman on the two-deep. Four starters return to a secondary that had just three interceptions last year.
All of the starting special teams players return.
Prediction: The Buffaloes should double their win total from 2012. Unfortunately, that only brings them to 2-10.
UCLA
Quarterback Brett Hundley returns after a stellar freshman campaign that saw him throw for 3,740 yards and score 29 total TDs. However, the Bruins lost stud running back Johnathan Franklin to the NFL. One player who could contribute t filling the void is Paul Perkins, Hundley’s high school teammate. The receiving corps is young but talented, and four starters return on what is a young offensive line.
The Bruins’ front seven is above average. Senior Anthony Barr returns after a 13.5-sack junior season and ‘s joined by several other 2012 starters. Linebacker Eric Kendricks had a whopping 149 tackles last year as a sophomore. The secondary, on the other hand, has potential but very little experience. The two-deep lists five freshmen, a sophom0re, and two juniors.
Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn needs to start the way he finished last season. The Bruins are breaking in a new punter, and lost a good return man to injury.
Prediction: If this team had a little more experience on offense and in the defensive backfield, I’d feel comfortable picking them to win the Pac-12 South. You know what? I’m going to anyway. 9-3.
USC
I assume by now everyone knows that Lane Kiffin hasn’t named a starting quarterback yet, since receiver Marqise Lee publicly denounced that decision as “crazy”. Keeping things in-house may not be a strength of Lee’s, but catching a football definitely is. Whoever the quarterback turns out to be, he’s lucky to have a guy like Lee (1,721 yards and 14 TDs) to throw to. On the ground, senior Silas Redd returns after a 905 yard, nine TD season a year ago. Five starters return on the offensive line.
New defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast switched to a 5-2-4 scheme. Among the talented front seven players he inherits is Morgan Breslin, who finished 2012 with 13 sacks. The secondary, however, has several question marks. Only one starter returns, and one safety is being converted from linebacker.
The Trojans will feature a new kicker and punter.
Prediction: This team should have been much better than 7-5 last season. Even with a new quarterback and new defensive scheme, I think they’ll improve to 8-4.
Utah
Having one quarterback for the whole season would be nice for the Utes, who had to use three last year. Starter Travis Wilson was pressed into service and started seven conference games a s a true freshman, going 3-4. He’ll have two experienced starters returning at wideout in juniors Kenneth Scott and Dres Anderson, which could help the Utes move out of the Pac-12 basement in scoring offense. Running back is a question mark, with 1,000-yard rusher John White gone., and to compound that, there’s a lack of experience on the offensive line as well.
The Utah defense ranked between second and seventh in he Pac-12 in various categories. However, just four starters return from that defense, and stud tackle Star Lotulelei isn’t one of them, having been a first-round draft pick. In fact, both tackle positions will have new starters. The linebacking secondary units will be lacking in experience as well.
The kicking game is up in the air. Kyle Whittingham wasn’t happy with either kicker on the roster in the spring.
Prediction: The Utes have a brutal schedule, including road games at Oregon, Arizona, and USC. 4-8.
California
True freshman quarterback Jared Goff was named the starter. He was one of three candidates, none of whom had played a down of college football. Sophomore Bryce Treggs is the only returning receiver. Running back Brendan Bigelow didn’t see much time last season, but when he did, he averaged over 9 yards per carry. The offensive line has just two starters back, and the battle for the other three spots could go on for awhile.
New coordinator Andy Buh is switching the defense to a 4-3 this season. The star of the line is 6’5″, 320-pound senior tackle Deandre Coleman.Inside linebacker Nick Forbes is having back problems and is unlikely to play in the opener. Outside linebacker Khairi Fortt returns after transferring from Penn State last summer but missing the 2012 season with a knee injury. The secondary has just one starter back and no seniors on the two-deep.
Kicker Vincenzo D’Amato tied for second in the Pac-12 in made field goals, with 16.
Prediction: With home games versus Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon State, and USC, and road games at Stanford and UCLA, I can’t see the Golen Bears finishing above 5-7.
Oregon
New head coach Mark Helfrich walks into about the best situation a new head coach would have, with sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota and junior running back De’Anthony Thomas. Mariota threw for 2,677 yards and totaled 38 TDs as a freshman, with a completion percentage of 68.5. Ridiculous. Thomas is on the small side and may not be an every-down back, but he’s quick and shifty and has capable guys on the depth chart below him. Senior receiver Josh Huff and junior tight end Colt Lyerla return, and they too are capably backed up on the depth chart. Three starters are back on the offensive line, as well as left guard Mana Greig, who was injured early last season.
Most of the defensive line is back from a unit that in the top half of the Pac-12 in all the major stats last season. There are questions at linebacker, where graduation and the NFL draft claimed several players and left just one senior on the two-deep. The secondary should be in excellent shape, with all four starters and several reserves returning.
The Ducks have a new punter and a competition at kicker. De’Anthony Thomas is a fantastic kick returner, but with an expanded role in the offense, Helfrich may be looking for someone else.
Prediction: I see three games that could trip up the Ducks- road trips to Stanford and Arizona, and Oregon State at home. I like them to take at least one of those games, maybe two. 10-2.
Oregon State
Sean Mannion was named starting quarterback earlier in the week. He lost receiver Marcus Wheaton to the NFL, but Brandin Cooks returns, along with tight end Connor Hamlett and a number of other options at the wideout spot. Running back Storm Woods had a strong debut season as a starter, nearly hitting the 1,00-yard plateau as a freshman. He’ll have an experienced offensive line opening holes for him, with four starters returning.
Coach Mike Reilly brought in some juco players to shore up the defensive line. Starting ends Scott Crichton and Dylan Wynn return. The outside linebacker spots are filled with returning starter, but inside is a question mark. Three starters return in the secondary, including senior Rashaad Reynolds, who had three INTs last season.
Kicker Trevor Romaine improved greatly on his 2011 season a year ago. Punter Keith Kostol is back as well. Return man Jordan Poyer needs to be replaced.
Prediction: The Beavers are very, very close to truly being competitive with Oregon and Stanford in the Pac-12 North. 8-4, but they could overachieve and scrape together another win or two.
Stanford
The good news for Stanford is that other than sophomore left tackle Andrus Peat, a top recruit out of high school, last season’s offensive line remains intact. Sophomore Kevin Hogan, who started for part of 2012, is back. There’s lack of experience at the receiver position, although the Cardinal throw to the tight end(s) more anyway, but with Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo gone to the NFL, there’s a lack of experience there, too. Two senior running backs are available in Anthony Wilkerson and Tyler Gaffney, but they have big shoes to fill with Stepfan Taylor gone to the NFL.
The Cardinal’s defense was among the best not just in the Pac-12 but in the country last season. Shayne Skov and A.J. Tarpley are dominant inside linebackers, and outside ‘backer Trent Murphy had 10 sacks last season. The front three led a unit that ranked first nationally in sacks, and yet the best unit may be the secondary. Junior safety Ed Reynolds snagged six INTs last season, and ran three of them back for TDs.
Kicker Jordan Williamson returns having kicked the game-clinching OT field goal to beat Oregon last season.
Prediction: If you’re a Pac-12 fan, or if you just like entertaining football, clear your calendar for November 7 when Stanford faces Oregon in Palo Alto. The winner will almost certainly win the division. 10-2, but I like the Ducks over the Cardinal.
Washington
Keith Price returns at quarterback, but he needs to play more like he did in 2011 rather than last season. A new up-tempo offense was installed to better take advantage of Price’s strengths. He’s got two pretty good targets available in receiver Kasen Williams and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, each of whom had over 800 receiving yards last season. Seferian-Jenkins has a broken finger and hasn’t been cleared to play yet, however. At running back, Bishop Sankey returns after taking over for an injured Jesse Callier last year and outperforming everyone’s expectations. Sankey finished the season with 1,439 yards and 16 TDs. Four starting offensive linemen return.
Last year’s defense was stronger than the offense, and they have seven starters coming back. End Andrew Hudson and tackle Danny Shelton each had 6.5 sacks as sophomores, and they have three speedy linebackers behind them in Travis Feeney, John Timu, and Shaq Thompson. According to Athlon Sports, all three were moved from safety to linebacker last year by then-new defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox. Three seniors and a sophomore will start in the backfield.
Freshman kicker Cameron Van Winkle could see time early.
Prediction: Even if Price can rebound, the Huskies have a brutal schedule, with road games at Stanford, Arizona State, Oregon State, and UCLA. 7-5 would be a respectable season.
Washington State
Connor Halliday takes over at quarterback for the departed Jeff Tuel. Halliday saw playing time last year and threw 15 TDs. However, he also threw 13 INTs. New starters are coming in at both receiver, where Gabe Marks had 49 catches last season as a true freshman, and running back. That’s good news for the run game, as the Cougars ranked last in the country last year with- are you ready for this?- 29.1 yards per game. Trust me, I confirmed that on multiple websites because I didn’t think it was possible either. Their net rushing yardage for the year was just 349. Just two starters return on the line, but with those rushing numbers, I’m not sure that’s a terrible thing.
The 2012 defense was less inept than the offense, but they still allowed an average of 425.9 yards per game. Eight starters return, and they have two 300-pounders, Toni Pole and Xavier Cooper, at the tackle spots. Three starters at linebacker and in the secondary. The Cougars intercepted 15 passes last year, four of them to returning safety Deone Bucannon.
Kicker Andrew Furney hit a 60-yard field goal against Eastern Washington last season.
Prediction: Mike Leach is only in his second season in Pullman, and he’ll probably need more of his own recruits on board, particularly on offense, before they experience success. 3-9.
Conference Prediction:
Pac-12 North:
1. Oregon
2. Stanford
3. Oregon State
4. Washington
5. Cal
6. Washington State
Pac-12 South:
1. Arizona State
2. UCLA
3. USC
4. Arizona
5. Utah
6. Washington State
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