Pac 12 Conference Season Preview

Projected Standings

North

1.  Oregon Ducks
Schedule Strength:  Moderate
Key Losses:  RB DeAnthony Thomas, WR Josh Huff, DE Taylor Hart, and CB Terrence Mitchell
NFL Draft Prospects:  QB Marcus Mariota, RB Byron Marshall, WR Bralon Addison, TE Pharoah Brown, LT Tyler Johnstone, C Hroniss Grasu, DE Arik Armstead, OLB Derrick Malone, OLB Tony Washington and CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
Summary:  Every year for the Ducks it's National Championship or bust. We know all about the Ducks offense and star QB Marcus Mariota. The real questions is whether the Ducks can replace longtime Defensive Coordinator Nick Allioti (retired) and can they get past Stanford.  Defensively they have the talent and stayed in house for the DC position, while they get Stanford at home in Autzen. Look for the Ducks to take part in the first ever College Football Playoff.

2.  Stanford Cardinal
Schedule Strength:  Tough
Key Losses:  RB Tyler Gaffney, RT Cameron Fleming, LG David Yankey, DE Ben Gardner, OLB Trent Murphy, S Ed Reynolds
NFL Draft Prospects:  QB Kevin Hogan, WR Ty Montgomery, TE Luke Kaumatule, LT Andres Peat, DE Henry Anderson, OLB James Vaughters, ILB AJ Tarpley, CB Alex Carter, CB Wayne Lyons, and S Jordan Richards
Summary:  Despite losing a ton of talent to the NFL, the Cardinal are poised to make another run at the Pac 12 Title and are a darkhorse contender for the National Title.  The Cardinal really took a hit along the offensive line and have to replace four starters. With the offensive line being the key cog in the offense it's imperative that they gel fast, especially with USC week two. But with QB Kevin Hogan and WR Ty Montgomery back and the defense is stocked with talent, they'll be fine.

3.  Washington Huskies 
Schedule Strength:  Moderately Easy
Key Losses:  RB Bishop Sankey and TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins
NFL Draft Prospects:  WR Kasen Williams, DE Hau'oli Kikaha, DT Danny Shelton, OLB Shaq Thompson, ILB John Timu and CB Marcus Peters
Summary:  Here is your trendy pick for a sleeper in the North because of a relative weak schedule and their hiring of Chris Peterson. If we learned anything from Peterson's days at Boise State is that he loves to run the ball.  Having four returning starters along the offensive line will be key to helping the run game that lost RB Bishop Sankey.  Defensively they are loaded with talent at all three levels. Keep an eye of Shaq Thompson who is an do everything linebacker and a potential star.

4.  Oregon State Beavers
Schedule Strength:  Moderate
Key Losses:  WR Brandin Cooks and DE Scott Crichton
NFL Draft Prospects:  QB Sean Mannion, RB Storm Woods, TE Caleb Smith, C Issac Seumalo and CB Steven Nelson
Summary:  Last season the Beavers beat everybody they were suppose to (except Eastern Washington) but lost all their games against the top tier Pac 12 teams. If this season is going to be any different they need to replace their two best players from last year (Cooks and Crichton).  Getting four year starter Sean Mannion to take the next step would really help out, but he looks nothing more than above average. Defensively they need to develop their defensive line and find somebody to sack the QB.  Otherwise it could be a struggle to get bowl eligible.

5.  Washington State Cougars
Schedule Strength:  Moderately Tough
Key Loss:  S Deone Bucannon
NFL Draft Prospects:  QB Connor Halliday, WR Vince Mayle, DT Xavier Cooper and ILB Daryl Monroe
Summary:  It's only a matter of time before Mike Leach has the Cougars contending for a division title. Now that time isn't going to be this year.  But getting back to back bowl games (for the first time since the early 2000s) would be a great accomplishments.  QB Connor Halliday is back for a second year as a starter, but as most Leach lead teams the defense will be key.  Six starters return but they lost first round pick Deone Bucannon who was their sole playmaker.  That should keep them towards the bottom rather than the middle.

6.  California Golden Bears
Schedule Strength:  Tough
Key Losses:  TE Richard Rodgers and ILB Khairi Fortt
NFL Draft Prospects:  WR Chris Harper, LG Jordan Rigsbee and OLB Jalen Jefferson
Summary:  After watching the Golden Bears the past two years it is hard to imagine this program use to pump out NFL player after NFL player.  Especially this past season where they only won a single game and had only two more games that were close.  Sonny Dykes has shown he can built a program, but he needs to hit a few home runs on the recruiting trail otherwise he'll be looking for a new job in two years.

South

1.  UCLA Bruins 
Schedule Strength:  Tough
Key Losses:  WR Shaq Evans, LG Xavier Su'a-Filo, DE Cassius Marsh, OLB Anthony Barr, and ILB Jordan Zumwalt
NFL Draft Prospects:  QB Brett Hundley, RB Jordan James, WR Devin Fuller, LG Malcolm Bunche, C Jake Brendel, DT Ellis McCarthy, ILB Erick Kendricks and SS Anthony Jefferson
Summary:  It's amazing that the Bruins have the most experience coming back (17 starters back) in the Pac 12 despite having five players drafted. UCLA is the clear front runner for the South and are a contender for the four team playoff.  New faces along the offensive line could be an issue mainly because they had to move defenders over last year to help move the ball on the ground.  Luckily they have QB Brett Hundley who is a difference maker whose mobility can cover up some line deficiencies.  They do have a tough schedule, but the talent is there to still win the division.

2.  USC Trojans
Schedule Strength:  Moderate
Key Losses:  WR Marqise Lee, C Marcus Martin and OLB Devon Kennard
NFL Draft Prospects: QB Cody Kessler, RB Javorius Allen, WR Nelson Agholor, TE Randall Telfer, RG Audrey Walker, C Max Tuerk, DE Leonard Williams, DT Antwaun Woods, ILB Hayes Pullard and CB Josh Shaw
Summary:  Steve Sarkisian inherits a team that is poised to make a run at the South Division title. Cody Kessler gives them stability at QB while they continue to have NFL level talent at WR and RB.  Defensively their talent along the defensive line is key.  Leonard Williams is one of the ten best players in the nation and has the ability to take over games.  UCLA might have more overal talent, but the Trojans have the easier schedule.

3.  Arizona Sun Devils
Schedule Strength:  Moderately Easy
Key Losses:  RB Marion Grice, DT Will Sutton, and OLB Carl Bradford
NFL Draft Prospects: QB Taylor Kelly, WR Jaelen Strong, and LT Jamil Douglas
Summary:  A seven game winning streak to end the regular season was the key for the Sun Devils to win the South Division. To get back this season will take a lot of work. Only returning eight total starters and losing their impact players is really going to cause the defense to take a step back. They have to hope their offense behind the duo of Kelly and Strong can pick up the slack and take some of the pressure off. Schedule wise Arizona State should be helped by avoiding the top teams in the North, but they still don't look like they can beat USC and UCLA.

4.  Arizona Wildcats
Schedule Strength:  Moderate
Key Losses:  RB Ka'Deem Carey, OLB Marquis Flowers, and CB Shaquille Richardson
NFL Draft Prospects:  WR Austen Hill, LT Mickey Baucus, S Tra'Mayne Bondurant and S Jared Tevis
Summary:  Rich Rodriguez has gotten results since taking over for Mike Stoops, and has some good talent at key positions. But until he finds his next Pat White (Scroggins isn't that guy) they'll continue to be a middle of the pack team. Fifteen starters back and a manageable schedule at best they could make a run at third place.

5.  Colorado Buffaloes
Schedule Strength:  Moderate
Key Loss:  WR Paul Richardson
NFL Draft Prospects:  WR Nelson Spruce, RG Daniel Munyer, DT Josh Tupou and CB Greg Henderson
Summary:  I like the hiring of Mike MacIntrye because he is a program builder and that's what this program needs. But it's going to take some time. Sixteen starters back will help, including QB Sefo Liufau.  Liufau threw for nearly 2,000 yards last season and should improve on those numbers.  But they'll need Spruce to pick up the slack since they lost last years top WR Paul Richardson.  But best case scenario is the Buffaloes don't finish last in the division.

6.  Utah Utes
Schedule Strength:  Tough
Key Losses:  OLB Trevor Reilly and CB Keith McGill
NFL Draft Prospects:  QB Travis Wilson, WR Dres Anderson, LT Jeremiah Poutasi, DE Nate Orchard and CB Eric Rowe
Summary:  Before joining the Pac 12, the Utes had enjoyed two straight ten win seasons and a Sugar Bowl victory. Since joining the Pac 12 they've only won 18 games in three years.  So much that you have to wonder if another bad year is going to cost Kyle Whittingham his job. Dres Anderson is a talented WR, but they just don't have the depth of talent you need to win in this conference. QB Travis Wilson and Anderson give them a dynamic deep threat, but that is only going to get you so far.  Look for another year without a bowl game.

Conference Title Game

Oregon over Arizona State

Coach of the Year:  Jim Mora Jr, UCLA
Coordinator for Hire:  Scott Frost, Oregon (Offensive Coordinator)
Coach on the Hotseat:  Kyle Whittingham, Utah

Top 20 Prospects for the 2015 NFL Draft

1.  Marcus Mariota QB Oregon
2.  Leonard Williams DT USC
3.  Hroniss Grasu C Oregon
4.  Andres Peat OT Stanford
5.  Jordan Richards S Stanford
6.  Hau'oli Kikaha DE Washington
7.  Ty Montgomery WR Stanford
8.  Brett Hundley QB UCLA
9.  Ifo Ekpre-Olomu CB Oregon
10. Xavier Cooper DT Washington State
11. Shaq Thompson OLB Washington
12. Marcus Peters CB Washington
13. Nelson Agholor WR USC
14. Jaelen Strong WR Arizona State
15. Dres Anderson WR Utah
16. Alex Carter CB Stanford
17. Arik Armstead DT Oregon
18. Josh Shaw CB USC
19. Byron Marshall RB Oregon
20. Tyler Johnstone OT Oregon