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Ranking the 2016 Pac-12 offensive lines: USC has best line in the Pac-12

Ranking the Pac-12 offensive lines from top to bottom.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. USC (T Zach Banner Sr. T Chad Wheeler Sr. Damien Mama Jr. C Toa Lobendahn Jr. G Viane Talamaivao Jr.) The Trojans' stellar recent recruiting is paying off up front as they will be putting a very nice unit out there in 2016. Banner is the best offensive lineman in the conference, Wheeler isn't far behind and Mama, Lobendahn and Talamaivao all could be among the best interior offensive linemen in the conference. This could be one of the best Trojan offensive lines in recent history if all goes right.

2. Utah (T J.J. Dielman Sr. G Isaac Asiata Sr. C Salesi Uhatafe Jr. T Sam Tevi Sr. G Garrett Bolles Jr. G Hiva Lutui Sr.) The Utes have a nice unit led by first-team All-Pac-12 type Dielman and second-team type Asiata. Uhatafe, Tevi and Lutui bring excellent size and experience and Bolles could be the catalyst here if he is ready as the top incoming JC recruit in the nation.

3. Stanford (G Johnny Caspers Sr. T Casey Tucker Jr. G Brandon Fanaika Jr. T David Bright Sr. C Jesse Burkett Jr.) This unit took a huge blow with center Graham Shuler passed on his last season but Caspers is a first-team all-conference guy and Tucker could easily turn into the next Cardinal All-American tackle. The rest of the gang has potential, but might not have the raw talent of other recent Cardinal offensive linemen.

4. UCLA (T Conor McDermott Sr. G Kenny Lacy Jr. T Kolton Miller So. C Scott Quessenberry Sr. G Simon Goines Sr.) This group is an interesting group that has a lot of experience even though UCLA lost most of their starters from 2015. The leader is McDermott who is right there with Banner as the best lineman in the conference.

5. Washington (C Coleman Shelton Jr. T Trey Adams So. G Jake Eldrenkamp Sr. T Kaleb McGary So. G Shane Brostek Sr.) The Huskies return four starts from a line that helped Myles Gaskin run for more than 1,000 yards and got a lot better as the season went on. Adams and McGary are 6'8 bookends with unlimited potential and Shelton is one of the most-versatile linemen in the conference.

6. Oregon (G Cameron Hunt Sr. T Tyrell Crosby Jr. C Doug Brenner Jr. G Jake Piscarcik Jr. T Evan Voeller Jr.) This unit has a lot of familiar names and players who could progress into first-team all-conference types in Hunt and Crosby, but it is lacking the Grasus, the Fishers and the Johnstones which have made Oregon offensive lines great recently. Still, it's one of the better ones in a really weak year for Pac-12 offensive lines.

7. Washington State (T Cole Madison Jr. C Riley Sorenson Sr. G Eduardo Middleton Sr. G B.J. Salmonson Jr. T Andre Dillard So.) The Cougars made massive strides on the offensive line with their pass protection in 2015 and they return a lot of starters from that unit. Madison and Sorenson lead the way as honorable mention all-conference selections in 2015.

8. Cal (G Chris Borrayo Sr. T Steven Moore Sr. T Aaron Cochran Jr. C Dominic Granado Sr. G Patrick Mekari So.) Borrayo is a veteran and one of the best guards in the conference and the same could be said for Moore. The rest of the gang has experience excelling in the Bear Raid and blocking for Cal's wealth of running backs.

9. Arizona (T Freddie Tagaloa Sr. G Jacob Alsadek Jr. T Layth Friekh Jr. C Zach Hemmila Sr. T Gerhard De Beer Jr.) Not a hyped unit, but an experienced one, led by Cal transfer Tagaloa. Could pave the way for a lot of rushing yards for Nick Wilson in 2016.

10. Arizona State (T Evan Goodman Sr. C Stephon McCray Sr. T Sam Jones So. T Zach Robertson Fr. G Steven Miller Fr.) This unit has a lot of talent, led by former blue chip recruit Goodman, but  hasn't quite put it together. It could easily move into the top half if they progress.

11. Colorado (C Alex Kelley Sr. G Shane Callahan Sr. G Gerar Kough Jr. T John Lisella So. T Sam Kronshage Jr.) The Buffs have had a tough time on the offensive line for a while, but they are putting it together. This is a solid group.

12. Oregon State (T Dustin Stanton Sr. G Fred Lauina Jr. T Will Hopkins Jr. G Sean Harlow Sr. G Kammy Delp So.) The Beavers have really struggle on the line recently, especially because of injury, but they can build some stability in 2016 if they can stay healthy up front.