With fall camps starting within the next two weeks, it’s time for 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 being better than Oregon, but I use the QB as the tiebreaker and Justin Herbert is much better than Tyler Huntley. C.J 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 college football playoff dark horse. With that being said, they sit atop these power 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 candidate 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 being said, they return with a better QB than they had last year. 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 on offense, someone will need to emerge as a number one wide-out. The Huskies will also need to replace legend Myles Gaskin. The defense remains stout up front, but after losing key linebackers, they need to find replacements at the position.
4. Stanford
They sit at four for one simple reason. I believe K.J 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 J.J Arcega Whiteside, but he should be able to adjust. Osiris St. Brown looks most likely to replace Whiteside. 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 Cardinals as they lost their two top tacklers from last year.
5. USC
This is a vote of confidence for Clay Helton and J.T 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 two. I’m not worried about the Trojans offense at all. I think the USC offense may rank as one of the best groups in the entire country 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
If 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
If Chip Kelly’s offense works out, the Bruins soar. The defense continues to be a liability and 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 wideout in the conference, Leviska Shenault, to shine. Or he falls apart as 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 conference. 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 off-season. That being said, I don’t think I can take this team seriously until I actually see them win more than four games.
