Fall camp is just around the corner, and that means football is back! Here are your PAC-12 pre fall camp power rankings:
1. Stanford
- After such a dominating performance in the Rose Bowl, it's hard not to like the Cardinal to win the PAC-12 again. The only question is how will they replace Kevin Hogan? There's not much concern however, as two great players are battling it out, Keller Chryst and Ryan Burns. As long as Stanford has good production in the QB position, they will be a hard team to beat especially with Christian McCaffery.
Pre-camp prediction: 12-0 (9-0)
2. UCLA
- There's not much to be concerned about with this team. QB Josh Rosen should have another excellent year, and the Bruin offense looks to be great, as long as Rosen can find some receivers to through to. The defense should be one of the best in the PAC-12. Stanford's greatest competition for the PAC-12 title is UCLA.
Pre-camp prediction: 11-1 (8-1)
3. Utah
- Utah's defense will be one of the best in the PAC, if not the best. Same with their special teams. With Utah, you always have questions on offense. Utah will be replacing a 4 year starter, Travis Wilson, but Travis wasn't a great QB to begin with, and the 3 candidates all look better than Wilson ever was. (JC transfer Troy Williams, Jr. Brandon Cox, Fr. Tyler Huntley) Also a problem is Utah's wide receivers, as there doesn't appear to be any that could be team leaders. If Utah can figure out their offense, they could be in the race for the PAC-12 title.
Pre-camp prediction: 10-2 (7-2)
4. USC
- Many again consider USC to be in the race for the nation championship, but will they be that good? Breaking in a new quarterback will be difficult for the Trojans. There's too many questions still to predict the Trojans as a top 10 team nationally, let alone the top of the PAC-12 South. Perhaps fall camp will give us a better idea of where they Trojans stand, but with all of the talent they have it seems difficult to push them out of the top 1/3 of the PAC.
Pre-camp prediction: 8-4 (6-3)
5. Washington
- There is a lot of hype surrounding the Huskies this off-season, will they live up to it? I don't think they will. I still think they have too much inexperience to soundly say they will be a top 20 team this year. They finished off the season strong, but can they sustain that momentum and bring it into 2016? We won't know for sure until the season begins but for now it's safe to say the Huskies will be good but not great. Will they compete for the North? Absolutely.
Pre-camp prediction: 9-3 (6-3)
6. Oregon
- It's honestly difficult to put Oregon this low, but for now it seems deserving. After blowing a 31-0 lead against TCU in the Alamo Bowl, the defense seems to be in question. Same with the offense, after having to replace Vernon Adams. Many expect the starting position to go to Dakota Prukop, a transfer from Montana State University. Although he looks like he'll be a good fit in Oregon, he doesn't seem to be quite as good as Adams. Until he can prove himself in games, and the defense works out some problems, Oregon will be an average PAC-12 team.
Pre-camp prediction: 8-4 (5-4)
7. Washington State
- Mike Leach will put a spectacular offense on the field again this season, led by QB Luke Falk. Washington State's defense seems to be getting better, but we won't know for sure until we get to see them play. If the defense is able to stop teams then this could be a very tricky opponent to beat, and could definitely compete for the PAC-12 title.
Pre-camp prediction: 7-5 (5-4)
8. Arizona
- Anu Solomon looks to have another great year as the starting QB, but what about the rest of the team? After having a less than great year last year, Arizona hopes to find more success. But what needs to happen for them to do so? The defense must be better or else Arizona will not be able to win games. Towards the end of the season they seemed to be progressing but will there be a relapse this year?
Pre-camp prediction: 6-6 (3-6)
9. Colorado
- The Buffaloes seem to be improving. The team needs to be more consistent, and if that happens this team could be a trap game for more than 1 team. If the Buffs are able to put it together this fall, and Sefo Liufau is able to play, this team could go bowling.
Pre-camp prediction: 5-7 (3-6)
10. Arizona State
- The PAC-12 Souths 6th spot could belong to Arizona State at seasons end. Arizona State has a huge question mark at the QB position as it is a battle between SO Manny Wilkins, and FR Brady White, Bryce Perkins, and Dillon Sterling-Cole. None of them have ever thrown a pass before at the collegiate level, and Arizona State could be in for some trouble. If the defense can keep them in games they could have a season well above this #10 ranking.
Pre-camp prediction: 4-8 (2-7)
11. California
- I expect Cal will be a better team than this during the season, but for now I'm not sure where else to put them. It seems like other teams are a bit more solid than Cal right now, and they fall down to 11. Think of this as a worse case scenario for the Golden Bears, who also have a high ceiling. Look for answers to this team during fall camp.
Pre-camp prediction: 3-9 (1-8)
12. Oregon State
- Oregon State should be a better team this year. But... I don't think they will be able to beat anybody in the PAC this year. Oregon State should be able to stay competitive throughout most games, especially those at home. There may be an upset or two throughout the year, but there isn't anything to say they will win.
Pre-camp prediction: 1-11 (0-9)
Tell me what you think in the comments... Or email me at fanofpac12sports@gmail.com
