With fall camps starting within the next two weeks it’s time for the return of the Pac 12 power rankings. This will also serve as my Pac 12 preview. Enjoy.
1. Oregon: The hands down most talented roster in the Pac 12. You could make a case for Utah but I use the QB as the tie breaker and Justin Herbert is much better than Tyler Huntley. CJ Verdell should take a massive step forward at running back in year two after showing flashes of brilliance last year. I expect this team to win the Pac 12 and be a potential CFB playoff dark horse. That’s why they sit atop the rankings.
2. Utah: Utah returns most of there starters in 2019 and because of that are considered the favorite to win a relatively weak Pac 12 South. Running back Zack Moss is a Heisman sleeper. He could do real damage as one of the Pac 12’s top running backs in 2019. The biggest concern I have about this Utah team is the offensive line and a relatively thin wide out core. On the defensive side of the ball the Utes defensive line is absolutely stacked however linebacker remains an issue for them after losing Cody Barton and Chase Hansen to the NFL.
3. Washington: Washington is very much rebuilding. That said they return with a better QB than they had last year and for that reason I put them solidly at three. Jacob Eason is going to be great behind one of the most experienced offensive lines in the country. Outside of those positions though on offense someone will need to emerge as a number one wide out and the Huskies will need to replace legend Myles Gaskin. The defense remains stout up front but after losing key linebackers needs to find replacements at the position.
4. Stanford: They sit at four for one simple reason. I believe KJ Costello is going to have an incredible season that leads to him being taken in the top two rounds of the NFL draft. Yes he lost his favorite target in JJ Arcega Whiteside but he should be able to adjust. Osiris St. Brown looks most likely to replace White Side. Losing Bryce Love at RB also hurts but Cameron Scarlett showed flashes last year and should be an adequate replacement. The defense is a real concern for the Cardinal as they lost there two top tacklers from last year.
5. USC: Again this is a vote of confidence for Clay Helton and JT Daniels. Down the stretch and really throughout last year I saw real progress and growth from Daniels and think he will be even better in year 2. I’m not worried about the Trojans offense at all I think they may rank as one of the best groups in the entire league in 2019. The defense will need to improve though as they have not been great over the past few years.
6. Washington State: This is where the jumble starts. From 6-10 it’s pretty much up for grabs. So here is one reason all these teams might be good and one reason they might be bad. Washington State: Mike Leach returns and has recruited well. They might be bad if Gabe Gubrud doesn’t work out.
7. Arizona: Khalil Tate gets hot and the offense takes off again this team could be a sleeper to win the South. If Khalil Tate gets hurt or is forced into throwing the ball the season could very much go off the rails again.
8. UCLA: Chip Kelly’s offense works out. The Bruins soar. The defense continues to be a liability this could be an experiment that’s over for Kelly by mid November.
9. Colorado: One reason for both scenarios. Steven Montez. Either he’s an above average QB who uses the top wide out in the conference Leviska Shenault to shine. Or he falls apart like he did down the stretch last year and the team craters.
10. Arizona State: Herm Edwards took this team to new heights last year. He returns with an improved defense and potentially the best running attack in the entire league. QB is a major question mark after the departure of Manny Wilkins.
11. Cal: The defense remains one of the top units in the Pac 12. The offense has an open QB battle during fall camp and struggles to keep up with the rest of the high scoring league.
12. Oregon State: Grabbed a ton of talented transfer players in the offseason. That being said, I don’t think I can take this team seriously until I actually see them win more than four games.