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1. Washington (Stars: QB Jake Browning Jr. RB Myles Gaskin Jr. WR Dante Pettis Sr. C Coleman Shelton Sr. T Trey Adams Jr. T Kaleb McGary Sr.)
The Huskies lost outrageous athlete and big play machine John Ross from 2016, but not too much else. Browning and Gaskin come back with another year of experience and Pettis is poised to be the new number one target after scoring 16 TDs in 2016. The offensive line returns four starters include the two best offensive linemen in the conference in my opinion in Shelton and Adams.
2. Colorado (RB Phillip Lindsay Sr. WR Shay Fields Sr. T Jeromy Irwin Sr. QB Steven Montez So. G Gerrad Kough Sr.)
The Buffs lose four-year starter at quarterback Sefo Liufau, but Steven Montez might already be better than Liufau and hopefully less injury prone. Lindsay and Fields could easily be the best running back and receiver in the conference. The offensive line returns a ton of talent, including first-team-level tackle Irwin.
3. USC (QB Sam Darnold So. RB Ronald Jones Jr. WR Deontay Burnett Jr. G Viane Talamaivao Sr. C Toa Lobendahn Jr. TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe So.)
Sam Darnold looks like the biggest difference maker in the conference coming into 2017 and that goes a long way. They have a lot of stars to replace, but the Trojans have blue chip talent waiting in the wings and a quarterback who is a defensive nightmare.
4. Washington State (QB Luke Falk Sr. G Cody O’Connell Sr. WR Tavares Martin Jr. Jr. T Cole Madison Sr.)
Luke Falk comes back for a victory lap with Mike Leach’s offense and he has a very good offensive line led by All-American O’Connell. They need some new players to step up at receiver and Martin Jr. is a great candidate to do that. They have an underrated stable of productive running backs.
5. Oregon (RB Royce Freeman Sr. QB Justin Herbert So. WR Darren Carrington II Sr. WR Charles Nelson Sr. RB Tony Brooks-James Jr.)
The Ducks had a bad season last year, but they are still loaded on offense. Herbert looks to be their next star at quarterback and he has great weapons in the backfield and at receiver. The line which was loaded with freshman last year is a year older, wiser and stronger.
6. UCLA (QB Josh Rosen Jr. C Scott Quessenberry Sr. WR Darren Andrews Sr.)
Josh Rosen coming back healthy is the big difference here. There is a ton of talent and experience everywhere on the offense, but the pressure is on to turn up production.
7. Stanford (RB Bryce Love Jr. TE Dalton Schultz Sr.)
There is a big question mark at quarterback and the offensive line grossly underachieved last year, but this unit should be at least okay. A lot hinges on the development of a quarterback and the offensive line and Love’s ability to replicate the great recent Cardinal running backs.
8. Arizona State (RB Kalen Ballage Sr. RB Demario Richard Sr. WR N’Keal Harry So.)
The Sun Devils have talent on offense if they can just find a quarterback. Ballage and Richard is a deadly RB combo and Harry might be the most-talented receiver in the conference.
9. Arizona
The Wildcats were a disaster last year, but the pieces are there for the offense to bounce back. The key will be if junior quarterback Brandon Dawkins can turn the corner and be a consistent weapon.
10. Utah
The Utes aren’t known for their offensive prowess and this year shouldn’t change that as they have to replace Joe Williams, Tim Patrick and almost completely reload the offensive line.
11. Cal
The Bear Raid and Davis Webb are gone and now the Bears restart without a ton of weapons and a new system.
12. Oregon State
The Beavers have to replace Victor Bolden Jr. and a lot of their offensive line. Ryan Nall and a hopefully-healthy Darell Garretson could go a long way.