*Editor’s note: Previous Conference previews on the ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, and SEC are available by clicking the name of each conference.
There are many excited for Pac-12 football this season. The conference features pre-season number 1 the USC Trojans, led by the favorite to go first overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, Quarterback Matt Barkley. However don’t expect USC to run away and hide and a late season game with perennial contender Oregon will likely decide who wins the conference. There is also intrigue at Stanford where the Cardinal try to replace Andrew Luck. In addition, will one of the lesser lights in the conference emerge as a contender? With just days until football starts, we’ll soon have less questions and more answers in the Pac-12.
USC TROJANS
2011-12 Record: 10-2 (7-2 Pac-12, no bowl game due to NCAA sanctions)
Returning Staters: 8 on offense, 7 on defense
Key Loss: Offensive tackle Matt Kalil (NFL)
Key Addition: RB Silas Redd, a transfer from Penn State. In a classic case of the rich getting richer, he’ll accompany 1,000-yard rusher Curtis McNeal in the backfield.
Of Note: USC is still limited by the NCAA to 75 scholarships; however, they return to bowl eligibility this season.
Can’t-Miss Game: November 3 vs. Oregon should be the most exciting game on the Trojans’ schedule.
CAL GOLDEN BEARS
2011-12 Record: 7-6 (4-5 Pac-12)
Returning Starters: 6 on offense, 5 on defense
Key Loss: Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year DE Mychal Kendricks, All-Conference LT Mitchell Schwartz, two-time Ray Guy Award finalist P Bryan Anger (NFL)
Key Addition: 5-Star WR recruit Bryce Treggs could make an impact this season. His father is former Cal WR Brian Treggs.
Of Note: QB Zach Maynard and WR Keenan Allen are half-brothers.
Can’t-Miss Game: The Bears make a rare trip east to take on Ohio State September 8.
UCLA BRUINS
2011-12 Record: 6-8 (5-4 Pac-12)
Returning Starters: 4 on offense, 8 on defense
Key Loss: Coach Rick Neuheisel was fired after going 21-29 during his tenure.
Key Addition: A young offensive line should be helped by Xavier Su’a-Filo, who returns from his Mormon mission.
Note: Redshirt freshman Brett Hundley beat out Richard Brehaut and Kevin Prince, both seniors, for the starting QB position.
Can’t-Miss Game: November 24 vs. Stanford
STANFORD CARDINAL
2011-12 Record: 11-2 (8-1 Pac-12)
Returning Starters: 6 on offense, 7 on defense
Key Losses: QB Andrew Luck, OG David DeCastro (NFL)
Key Addition: OL Andrus Peat, a five-star recruit ranked #32 overall by Rivals.com
Of Note: Junior QB Josh Nunes beat out sophomore Brett Nottingham as the starter. The Cardinal have road games at Oregon and Notre Dame, with USC at home.
Can’t-Miss Game: October 20 at Cal
OREGON DUCKS
2011-12 Record: 12-2 (8-1 Pac-12)
Returning Starters: 4 on offense, 6 on defense
Key Losses: QB Darron Thomas, RB LaMichael James (NFL)
Player To Watch: Redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota was named the starting QB last week
Of Note: Head Coach Chip Kelly turned down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers job over the winter.
Can’t-Miss Game: October 6 vs. an improving Washington team
OREGON STATE BEAVERS
2011-12 Record: 3-9 (2-6 Pac-12)
Returning Starters: 6 on offense, 8 on defense
Key Loss: A big chunk of last year’s offensive line
Key Addition: OL Isaac Seumalo, ranked #52 overall by Rivals.com; could start right away
Of Note: OSU has road games at Washington and Stanford, with Oregon at home; they escape USC this season.
Can’t-Miss Game: The Civil War, as Oregon rolls into town November 24.
ARIZONA WILDCATS
2011-12 Record: 4-8 (2-7 Pac-12)
Returning Starters: 5 on offense, 4 on defense
Key Losses: QB Nick Foles, QR Juron Criner (NFL)
Key Addition: New coach Rich Rodriguez, whose offense should be more successful in the Pac-12 than it was in the Big Ten.
Of Note: The indefinite suspension of junior DL Justin Washington for a violation of team rules will hurt an already-inexperienced defense.
Can’t-Miss Game: October 27 vs. USC will provide a test for both the offense and defense
ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS
2011-12 Record: 6-7 (4-5 Pac-12)
Returning Starters: 4 on offense, 4 on defense
Key Losses: Starting QB Brock Osweiler, the top 3 WRs, 3 offensive linemen, 2 safeties, and 3 linebackers.
Key Addition: New coach Todd Graham
Of Note: Given the number of departing players from a team that was average last season, a 6-6 record and bottom-tier bowl game would have to be considered a good year for the Sun Devils.
Can’t-Miss Game: November 23 at Arizona will definitely be the best game of the night, seeing that it’s a Friday
WASHINGTON HUSKIES
2011-12 Record: 7-6 (5-4 Pac-12)
Returning Starters: 5 on offense, 6 on defense
Key Losses: RB Chris Polk (NFL). OL Colin Porter was diagnosed with a degenerative shoulder condition in the spring and had to quit football.
Key Addition: DE Hau’oli Jamora returns from a knee injury; 5-star DB recruit Shaq Thompson, #4 overall at rivals.com, could play or even start in the backfield.
Of Note: The Huskies are replacing their entire kicking/punting unit.
Can’t-Miss Game: September 8, as the Huskies travel to the Bayou to take on the LSU Tigers.
WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
2011-12 Record: 4-8 (2-7 Pac-12)
Returning Starters: 4 on offense, 7 on defense
Key Addition: LB Darryl Monroe returns from an Achilles injury.
Player To Watch: Kicker Andrew Furney was 14-of-16 on field goals last season.
Of Note: The Cougars’ last bowl game was in 2003.
Can’t-Miss Game: November 23 vs. Washington
UTAH UTES
2011-12 Record: 8-5 (4-5 Pac-12)
Returning Starters: 8 on offense, 7 on defense
Key Losses: Both starting offensive tackles; DTs Chaz Walker and Matt Martinez, their leading tacklers in 2011.
Key Addition: QB recruit Travis Wilson has worked his way up to second on the depth chart.
Of Note: The Utes’ road schedule is relatively soft; they travel to Arizona State, UCLA, Oregon State, and Washington
Can’t-Miss Game: The Holy War vs. BYU, September 15
COLORADO BUFFALOES
2011-12 Record: 3-10 (2-7 Pac-12)
Returning Starters: 3 on offense, 6 on defense
Key Losses: WR Toney Clemons (NFL) and WR Paul Richardson (spring knee injury) leave the Buffs extremely short on experienced pass-catchers.
Player To Watch: Kansas transfer Jordan Webb has been named starting QB just a month after arriving in Boulder. (He graduated from Kansas, making him eligible to play for Colorado this season).
Of Note: Three of the last four games on the Buffs’ schedule include road trips to USC, Oregon, and Arizona
Can’t-Miss Game: October 11 vs. Arizona State should at least be competitive
PAC-12 OVERVIEW
Conference Champion: USC
Best Bet to Contend: Oregon
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Matt Barkley, USC
Defensive Player of the Year: DT Star Lotulelei, Utah
Coach On The Hot Seat: I really don’t see one in the Pac-12, where seven of the twelve coaches have been in their current position for no more than three seasons, and the remaining five are all well over .500.
