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2019 Top Pac-12 Offenses: Oregon’s offense loaded at Quarterback, Running Back, and Offensive Line

Ranking the Pac-12’s top offensive units heading into 2019.

By Jack Follman
NCAA Football: Oregon at Oregon State Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
  1. Oregon - An offensive line with five starters back, including four seniors, a first round pick QB and two running backs capable of cracking 1,000 yards, a hole at receiver is the only thing keeping this unit from maybe being the nation’s best. Justin Herbert and the offensive line taking the step from good to great is what this unit needs to fulfill high expectations.
  2. Washington State - The Cougars should be around here every year, even when they rebuild at quarterback. They have a deep and skilled receiver group, a strong and experienced offensive line and a legit threat at running back with Max Borghi, all should be lights out again in Mike Leach’s system.
  3. Washington - Washington’s offense has had it’s issues the past few seasons, but it will now have a quarterback with NFL intangibles for the first time in the Chris Petersen era in Georgia transfer Jacob Eason. Even if Eason isn’t perfect, they have a veteran offensive line with five returning starters, one of the Pac-12’s best WR/TE units, and a deep and diverse running back pool.
  4. USC - I expect the Trojans to turn up the heat on offense with a new air it out system and three great receivers. They should put up yards even if their offensive line and running backs can’t put it together.
  5. UCLA - Chip Kelly is slowing putting things together in Westwood. Dorian Thompson-Robinson should be a year better at QB and running back Joshua Kelley could easily already be in the NFL and be the conference’s best back. It’s just about coaching up the talented pieces around them now.
  6. Stanford - The Cardinal have major holes to plug with Bryce Love, Nate Herbig, JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Kaden Smith off to the NFL, but David Shaw has stocked the shelves with blue chip talent. They might have the Pac-12’s best QB in KJ Costello coming back, an All-American, first round tackle in Walker Little and a system that’s dominated the Pac-12 for nearly a decade now.
  7. Utah - Like Washington, Utah’s offense has held back their lights out defense, but this could be the year they break through. Keeping seniors QB Tyler Huntley and RB Zack Moss will be the key. Replacing three starters on the offensive line and finally getting more out of their receivers and tight ends will go a long way too.
  8. Arizona - The Wildcats still have the ghosts of the RichRod era that keep their offense humming and Khalil Tate and JJ Taylor. Those two should help new receivers and offensive linemen flourish around them in 2019.
  9. Colorado - Laviska Shenault alone gets the Buffs a lot of points. Don’t sleep on senior QB Steven Montez though and an underrated offensive line. They Buffs should be just fine on offense this year.
  10. Arizona State - This is all about Eno Benjamin and the nice pieces ASU has on the offensive line. They need to find a new quarterback and some playmakers at WR/TE.
  11. Oregon State - I like the Beavers’ offense more than this slot suggests. Jermar Jefferson is a star in the making, they have good receivers and a solid offensive line. Let’s see what happens at QB.
  12. Cal - The Bears are the clear number 12. They struggled on offense in 2018 and lose a lot of experience. They need more from QB Chase Garbers too.

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