2014 midseason All-Pac-12 team: Oregon leads the way with five selections

First Team

Offense

QB Marcus Mariota Jr. Oregon

It has been a remarkable year for Pac-12 quarterbacks so even getting like sixth or seventh team All-Pac-12 would be quite an honor. Mariota has just been his usual self in 2014 despite a couple of games with a really struggling offensive line and despite losing an early game, he still has the Ducks in as good of a spot for the College Football Playoff as any Pac-12 team halfway through the season.

Others considered: Connor Halliday Sr. Washington State, Anu Solomon Fr. Arizona

RB Javorius Allen Jr. USC

The Pac-12's only true star at running back right now, Allen has been a horse for the Trojans and has just one game where didn't run for at least 100 yards, but he made up for it with more than 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. He is also doing this without a great offensive line.

RB Paul Perkins So. UCLA

Very tough call here with how many great young backs there are in the league and there are about five that I could make a case for. I give the nod to Perkins right now for being the most consistent. He has maintained his production against all levels of competition with a bad offensive line.

Others considered: Nick Wilson Fr. Arizona, D.J. Foster Jr. Arizona State, Royce Freeman Fr. Oregon

WR Nelson Spruce Jr. Colorado

Spruce is pretty much everything for the Buffs and his 62 receptions for more than 700 yards and 10 touchdowns is evidence. He has put together some ridiculous games this season and kept Colorado in games almost by himself.

WR Vince Mayle Sr. Washington State

Mayle has been absolutely electric for the Cougars as a guy big enough to go over defenders for catches, but also fast enough to burn defenses deep. He benefits from playing in an air-it-out offense, but who doesn't these days?

Others considered: River Cracraft So. Washington State, Jaelen Strong Jr. Arizona State, Cayleb Jones So. Arizona

TE Pharaoh Brown Jr. Oregon

Maybe the worst year ever for Pac-12 tight ends, but Brown has three touchdowns and has been one of the Ducks' best receivers.

Others considered: Connor Hamlett Sr. Oregon State

OL Andrus Peat Jr. Stanford

Stanford's offensive line hasn't been as good as they have been in recent history and Peat has been banged up, but he is still the best lineman in the conference and a possible Top 5 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

OL Jake Fisher Sr. Oregon

Fisher has missed a couple of games, but has more than showed his worth. He has long been an underrated commodity and the best linemen along the Duck front.

OL Jamil Douglas Sr. Arizona State

Another underrated player who is doing a great job of blocking for D.J. Foster and protecting the Sun Devil quarterbacks.

OL Mickey Baucus Sr. Arizona

Arizona is excellent on the ground even without Ka'Deem Carey and their line should get a lot of credit, particularly a veteran like Baucus.

OL Hroniss Grasu Sr. Oregon

Grasu has struggled at times, but it is not a strong year for offensive linemen across the conference and he is the center point of the conference's leading rushing attack, so he still belongs on first team.

Defense

DL Danny Shelton Sr. Washington

The conference is loaded with excellent defensive linemen and Shelton in my opinion is playing at an even higher level than Leonard Williams right now. He is in the Top 10 in the Pac-12 in tackles at 335 pounds, near the top in sacks and tackles-for-loss and my personal choice for Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year right now.

DL Leonard Williams Jr. USC

Williams is still mister everything along the USC defensive line, but he could really use some help from the rest of his defense. Still my pick to be the first guy taken in the 2015 draft.

DL Hau'oli Kikaha Sr. Washington

The nation's sack leader is a nightmare off the edge. Kikaha looks almost unblockable at times and even was able to beat Stanford's offensive line a number of times.

DL Nate Orchard Sr. Utah

Very tough call to give out this last spot with how many great defensive linemen there are in the conference, but Orchard actually leads the nation in sacks per-game. He is a big part of why the Utes have had a very good defense in the first half.

Others considered: David Parry Sr. Stanford, Henry Anderson Sr. Stanford

LB Shaq Thompson Jr. Washington

Four touchdowns on defense, simply ridiculous. Thompson has also made great strides in standard run and pass defense.

LB Eric Kendricks Sr. UCLA

Kendricks has been the rare UCLA player this year that is living up to or exceeding expectations. He has been  a very solid presence in the middle for them.

LB Scooby Wright So. Arizona

Wright is quickly becoming a star and playing a big part in turning around Arizona's defensive reputation. His strip of Mariota to seal Arizona's win over Oregon might be the defensive play of the year thus far.

Others considered: A.J. Tarpley Sr. Stanford

DB Marcus Peters Jr. Washington

Peters is tied for leading the conference in interceptions with three while missing a game due to suspension and is looking like he could be the nation's best cornerback. He has the rare combination of size, speed and competitive streak.

DB Su'a Cravens So. USC

Cravens has quickly turned into a star and will leave USC as one of the best safeties to ever play there and that is saying a lot.

DB Jordan Richards Sr. Stanford

Stanford's veteran presence in the back is a big part of why the Cardinal still have an incredible defense.

DB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu Sr. Oregon

I am on the fence about Ekpre-Olomu. Teams, especially Washington State went right at him and made him look really bad at times and I have seen him plummet in mock drafts but college football writers are sticking with him as an All-American type so I guess I am going along with the horde.

Others considered: Jared Tevis Sr. Arizona

Special Teams

K Andy Phillips So. Utah

P Tom Hackett Jr. Utah

R Kaelin Clay Sr. Utah