/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46368360/usa-today-8065698.0.jpg)
Let's take a look at the easiest schedules in the Pac-12. And they are by no means easy! But they are going to give these teams an additional advantage to get an extra win on the schedule.
1. UCLA Bruins. Despite losing Brett Hundley, Eric Kendricks and a few other key Bruins, UCLA figures to be pretty good next season, and the schedule appears to be stacked up. The schedule is also favorable--UCLA's non-conference schedule will subtract Texas and Memphis (both stiff tests last season), and add 2-11 UNLV and 8-5 BYU. 5-7 Virginia remains, and UCLA's road game will be in Las Vegas.
UCLA also subtracts Oregon and Washington from their schedule and puts up Oregon State and Washington State, a huge bonus. The Bruins should be heavily favored in their entire home slate and have a very good road to getting at least eight wins.
But this is the Pac-12. And their road slate (Arizona, Stanford, USC, Utah) ranks among the toughest in the conference.
2. Oregon State Beavers. The Gary Andersen era begins with much promise thanks to probably the easiest of the Pac-12 nonconference schedules. They will get two gift games against Weber State and San Jose State, although they will face a rebuilding Michigan squad in the Big House.
Oregon State avoids two Pac-12 south contenders in USC and Arizona State, and draws fellow losing teams Cal, Colorado, Washington State (two on the road, so they have a chance to land critical victories away from Corvallis). They have a road to get to five or six wins for sure that way, and then they just have to land an upset or two to get to bowl eligibility--Stanford, UCLA and Washington all come to Corvallis.
3. Oregon Ducks. Oregon probably has the stiffest non-conference test in East Lansing, but if they can get past that their path to ten wins is all lined out. They avoid Arizona and UCLA. Aside from Stanford, they should be heavily favored against Arizona State, Washington and Colorado. Their other two non-conference games (Eastern Washington and Georgia State) will be a romp. Utah, Washington State, Cal, USC, and Oregon State is almost a guaranteed 4-1 home Pac-12 slate. Aside from Michigan State, Stanford and USC, Oregon should roll through this schedule. Don't expect the pain to stop this year.
4. Arizona Wildcats. Nevada in Reno could get a bit tricky, but aside from that Arizona should have their way with UTSA and Northern Arizona. They catch UCLA and Stanford early in the season and avoid Oregon. Their road slate is not going to be easy come November (at Washington, at USC, Utah, at Arizona State is brutal), but they should have earned bowl eligibility well before that point.