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Last week, I posed a question to the loyal Pacific Takes Twitter following to help pass the time before Pac-12 Media Days and the opening of fall camp:
PT fan survey time: Is there a Pac-12 team (not your own) that you like from afar & would be a fan of if your team didn't have to play them?
— Pacific Takes (@PacificTakes) July 20, 2017
Is there that one team you've always kinda had a thing for when your own team drives you crazy/does something dumb? Let us know!
— Pacific Takes (@PacificTakes) July 20, 2017
I’ve always been curious about this, and as a UCLA fan myself, I’m often driven crazy by my team’s weird ticks and frustrating habits. So instead of banging my head against the proverbial wall to watch UCLA trip up, I’ll find myself flipping the channel to see how the rest of the Pac-12 is doing.
Besides, life is too short to be driven crazy by UCLA! And the Pac-12 is too much fun to limit to one team.
So with that in mind, I turned it over to you and to the Pacific Takes staff for your answers. Thanks to all who chipped in - look how fun it can be to affirm each other every now and then and not be at each other’s throats like during the season!
Let’s get to your answers
(here’s me for full disclosure)
Utah because they have an endless supply of planet-eating d-linemen & Kyle Whittingham's God-like calves https://t.co/ttYfahAnXV
— Lane Thiccen (@nicogervasoni) July 20, 2017
Stanford was by far the most popular choice, and understandably so. It’s hard to not enjoy David Shaw and what he’s built in Palo Alto (unless you’re a Cal fan).
Have liked Stanford ever since visiting for a Utah-Stanford football game. Beautiful campus and classy fans. Similar playing style to Utah
— This Justin (@thiz_justin) July 20, 2017
I am a Sun Devil #ForksUp but I am always a fan of Stanford. David Shaw easily the best in the Pac12. Love how they play smash mouth FB
— rick cares (@CaresRick) July 20, 2017
Stanford. As a UCLA fan, I enjoy seeing what competence and smart planning look like. https://t.co/uMomTh1Qri
— Michael Hanna (@MichaelMHanna) July 20, 2017
Oregon fan, was jealous of Stanford's defense. They were/are smart & physical & tough. We got the better of them at times but not always.
— Mitchell Barnett (@MitchellBarnett) July 20, 2017
Utah and Colorado also got some love. The Rocky Mountain schools have been hand-to-glove fits in the Conference of Champions.
Also, don’t forget about Kyle Whittingham’s calves.
Utah. Love the stadium backdrop and location, not a long-time P12 rival.
— Ed Strong (@DawgoneCrazy) July 20, 2017
Colorado. Not many better college towns than Boulder. (ASU fan)
— Kyoei AZ (@rsheridan9) July 20, 2017
Colorado, because Ralphie https://t.co/x2HyjbYTFi
— ((IsaacRosenthal)) (@IsaacMRosenthal) July 20, 2017
Washington State, our favorite pirate ship in the Palouse, was another popular pick.
Wazzou...cause this guy pic.twitter.com/wbGOwVUOee
— The Bearded One (@HockeyBeard) July 20, 2017
Wazzu always amazed me. The tiniest town! How recruits get guys up there is a feat in itself.
— MATEO B. (@Agave310) July 20, 2017
Every school was picked at least once, even big, bad USC.
Villains are humans too, and we all need love and affirmation.
I really hate to admit it but If I didn't fall in love with Oregon I'd probably be a USC fan. The Pete Carroll era was really fun to watch
— Cyrus Smith (@CoolCyWrites) July 20, 2017
The best answers were from folks who grew up in Pac-12 families. Kinfolk of Champions!
ASU alum here but have a tie with Cal (for mom) and Stanford (for dad). Made for one very interesting Saturday each November growing up.
— Jeff Preston (@JeffPreston42) July 20, 2017
Big time. Mom's mom - also Cal. Mom's dad - USC. Mom's twin aunts - UCLA. Daughter just about to finish up at ASU #conferenceofchampions
— Jeff Preston (@JeffPreston42) July 20, 2017
Some of our Pacific Takes staff weighed in with their thoughts (affiliation in parentheses):
Gabey Lucas (Washington): “Oregon State forever and always because no true Husky fan doesn't also love Oregon State (but also because the OSU side of my family is fun to drink with).”
Jose Bouqett (UCLA): “Oregon State, they are orange and black like a certain team that I'm fond of [note: Jose is fond of Oklahoma State]. The Rodgers brothers [Jacquizz and James Rodgers] were fun to watch too, and I respect Stanford because they're pumping out pros left and right.”
David Colangelo (Arizona): UCLA, because they have all-time classic uniforms and because they consistently have fun and exciting players to watch (Maurice Jones-Drew/Marcedes Lewis era, Brett Hundley, Myles Jack, Josh Rosen, Takkarist McKinley etc.). Also, that they seem to perennially underachieve gives them a sort of lovable loser vibe. Being big, bad USC's crosstown rival doesn't hurt that cause either.
If you’re still holding in that secret crush, let it out. It’s okay, I promise.
Tweet at us at @PacificTakes with your Pac-12 secret crush before the season starts and you go back to hating everyone that isn’t your team.