2012 NCAAF Conference Previews Part 12

-PAC 12 Conference-

Predicted Finish
NORTH
1)Oregon
     They officially return 11 starters but Oregon should have no problem winning the North division this year. On offense, the Ducks should be just as good as always despite losing QB Darron Thomas and RB LaMichael James. Senior RB Kenjon Barner will now be the featured back and,if healthy, should rack up atleast 1200 yards. Throw in RB/WR/KR DeAnthony Thomas and the Ducks will be hard to defend. It will be interesting to see how Freshaman QB Marcus Mariota performs as he has been called great by more than a few without ever playing a real game. Don't be surprised if QB Bryan Bennett ends up making a big difference for this team. The talk is always about the offense but this year's defense should be the best the Ducks have had in awhile. Safety John Boyett is back as well as a solid group of linebackers led by Michael Clay and Rose Bowl MVP Kiko Alonso. Also, don't forget about Dion Jordan and newcomer Arik Armstead on the D-Line. This team should have no problem winning 11+ games and a trip to the BCS Title Game is a legitimate possibility.
2)Washington
      Washington loses some key parts but benefit from the departure of Andrew Luck at Stanford as I have them at the #2 spot in the North. QB Keith Price now has over a full year under his belt and I expect him to have a breakout year throwing to guys like TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins. If the defense can make big plays, the Huskies should be in good position to finish better than Stanford and Cal. Should be noted, however, that the Huskies will have to play all their home games away from Husky Stadium as it is renovated.
3)Cal
      I switched Cal into the third spot over Stanford at the last minute and expect potential to start to bring success to the Bears. QB Zac Maynard has shown he's a talented kid and WR Keenan Allen is an underrated receiver in the Pac-12. Coach Tedford has gotten away with putting sub-par teams on the field recently and expect him to turn it around this year.
4)Stanford
       Stanford has done a great job recruiting but I just don't think you can lose who they lost and still compete for a Pac-12 title. To the delight of the rest of the conference, Stanford will not be the elite team they were with Andrew Luck around. Having said that, don't expect Stanford to not be in the mix for the #2 and #3 spots in the North.
5)Washington St
       With the addition of coach Mike Leach, there is a lot of excitement in Pullman. Leach brings his successful spread offense to the Cougars and I expect to QB Jeff Tuel and WR Marquis Wilson to benefit from his scheme. The team will be improved but not great yet. A bowl appearance would be classified as a major success for WSU.
6)Oregon St
       I have the Beavers last in the division coach Mike Riley usually has his best teams when we least expect it. I don't see the talent to compete with the league's best but with 15 returners, the Beavers could be bowl eligible by year's end.

SOUTH
1)USC
      This is the obvious choice here as USC is not only the favorite in the South but the favorite to win the entire conference and a favorite of many to win the BCS Title. This is because the AP #1 ranked team is returning almost the entire team from last year's 10 win squad. Highlighting the returners is Heisman frontrunner QB Matt Barkley. Barkley threw for 3500 yds and 39 TDs last year and will have his top two targets returning in Robert Woods and Marquis Lee. The team also returns a 1,000 yd rusher in Curtis McNeal and recently bolstered the back position by adding Penn State transfer Silas Redd. The defense will also be good, anchored by Safety TJ McDonald and LB Dion Bailey. The snag the Trojans might hit is the lack of depth. With reduced scholarships, injuries during the season may greatly affect USC's shot at the Pac-12 and BCS Titles. On the scheduling side, getting Oregon at home is nice.
2)Utah
     The Utes return 15 starters and are a team that I am extremely high on. Among those returnees are QB Jordan Wynn and RB Jon White. White rushed for 1500 yards and 15 TD last year and I think has the ability and experienced O-line to be one of, if not the best running back in the conference. On defense, the line and backs will be the strength and DL Star Lotulelei is a name to watch for. Utah avoids Oregon and a Thursday meeting with USC in October could be the difference between this team finishing first or second in the division. A 10-win season is very possible and an 11 win season not out of the question.
3)UCLA
     Ucla returns 16 starters and with good QB play from speedy Brett Hundley, this team should surpass the 6 win mark of last year. They avoid both Oregon and Washington and play USC in the Rose Bowl. 1000 yard rusher Jonathan Franklin and TE Joseph Fauria are going to be keys to success.
4)Arizona
     I think there is some seperation between the top 3 and bottom 3 in the South division but I have Arizona bringing up the pack. I like that new coach Rich Rodriguez will have mobile QB Matt Scott to work with in the spread and I just think they will have more consistency than ASU and Colorado.
5)Arizona St
    The Sun Devils return only 8 and RB Cameron Marshall may be the lone consistent star for them this season. Look for how QB Michael Eubank comes along.
6)Colorado
    I think the Buffaloes are on their way up but they are still at #6 as they have a long way to go. They only have 9 returning starters and have to play on the road against Oregon and USC and have to close the season against Washington and Utah.