Pac 1! Power Rankings – Preseason

By David K.

With the first Pac-12 team, new member Utah, set to rush off in under two hours [FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: The Utes notched the maiden ever win by a Pac-12 team, 27-10 over Montana State], it`s time for some last-minute Pac-12 power rankings.I`ll be breaking teams down by division this season, like about other bloggers and pundits are doing.I`ll have a brief explanation for each slot.

eel free to hold or criticize in the comments.

NORTH
1. Oregon
The final Pac-10 champion and failure of live year`s BCS championship game, the Ducks return 13 starters including QB Darron Thomas and Heisman hopeful RB LaMichael James.If they can avoid distraction from the off-field troubles of the season, particularly those involving agent Willie Lyles, the Ducks appear to repeat much of their success from last season, assuming of line they aren`t sidelined by NCAA sanctions before season`s end.

2. Stanford
The other juggernaut of the Pac-12, Stanford`s only blemish last season was a departure in Eugene to the Ducks.The full word is the Cardinal get Oregon at home this season, and present a ticket of teams that are unbelievable to gainsay them, aside from USC and perhaps Notre Dame.A key to the Cardinal`s success will be the functioning of Heisman Trophy hopeful QB Andrew Luck, but they are also breaking in a new head coach this season after Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL. [P.S. BY BRENDAN: Stanford is also breaking in three new offensive linesmen.]

3. Washington
The Huskies rallied from a 3-6 season start to win their last 4 games of last season, including a rematch upset of Ne in the Dawgs` first bowl game since 2002.The head is whether 3rd year coach Steve Sarkisian can proceed to positive way for the Huskies against another tough slate of opponents, 6 of whom had 10 wins last season.The Huskies are breaking in a new QB, but a much improved O-Line and denial could help clear up for the inexperience there.The return visit to Nebraska looms large, and the Huskies will face four of the strongest teams in the conference down the stretch (Utah, Stanford, Oregon and USC).There is little tolerance for error for the Huskies team hoping to give to its status as a power team in the league and avoid a slide back into the mediocrity of the preceding decade.

4. Oregon State
The Beavers are one of the hardest teams to call each year.One game they shine, the following they fizzle.They have produced some stunning upsets (just ask USC) and some inexplicable losses (just ask Washington State).Returning QB Ryan Katz and WR James Rogers will be the players to see on an offence that returns 8 starters.On the other hand, Rogers` past problems with injuries may limit his possible impact, and the defence is much shakier. Inexperience and size could be issues for the Beavers.

5. California
Will Jeff Tedford and the Cal bears continue to disappoint, or rebound after last year`s bowl-less season?I`m leaning towards the former.The Bears will be led by new QB Zach Maynard, who transfered from Buffalo after the 2009 season.On top of that, some changes in the offensive staff and playbook could fix the Bears versatility.Adding to the trouble is a season played, not at home Memorial Stadium which is being renovated this year, but in San Francisco at AT&T Park, a facility they won`t yet be practicing in during the week.The Bears could very likely end up in net point in the Pac-12 North by the end of the season.

6. Washington State
Cougar coach Paul Wulff may be on the hottest place in the conference right now with an abysmal 5-32 record over the concluding 3 seasons at WSU.Anything less than a bowl berth is probably going to be the end of the argument for the coach, but this could be the Cougar team to deliver him.QB Jeff Tuel is experienced and skilled and he has some good receivers to assist him out.Washington State is helped out by a very winnable slate of games to begin the temper and a few more down the extend that gives them lot of opportunities to get the required six wins, despite facing both Stanford and Oregon, along with newcomer Utah.It wouldn`t surprise me to see the Cougs reach 6 wins and a stadium by season`s end, likely finishing above both Oregon State and Cal in the process. But until they`ve proven it on the field, they get the #6 spot.

SOUTH
1. USC
Regardless of where the Trojans finish, they are still bowl-ineligible (and ineligible to compete in the inaugural Pac-12 title game) thanks to the idiocracy that is the NCAA, but USC is, as usual, loaded with talent.Games against Utah in week 2 and at Arizona State in week 4 could get huge impacts on the run for the title, even if the Trojan`s can`t officially win it.More good news is that the Trojans will skip regular thorn in the side Oregon State this season.The bad word is they face Oregon and Washington, two teams that they have had little success against in recent years,before closing out the season against UCLA.

2. Utah
Newcomer Utah will get its opportunity to rise it belongs and has, in my opinion, a legitimate shot at representing the Pac-12 South in the first Pac-12 championship game.An ineligible USC and an ASU team being hampered by injuries provides a key opportunity for the Utes to launch a key for themselves.Getting to lose games against both Pac-12 North contenders Oregon and Stanford also plays to Utah`s advantage.A win in week two against USC in the Pac-12 opener could set the leg for a dominant season and silence Utah`s critics once and for all.

3. ASU
An early presumptive favorite to win the Pac-12 South crown, ASU has been hampered by a bit of injuries to key players (QB Steven Threet is out for multiple concussions) and some distractions off the field, particularly those involving the always controversial Vontaze Burfict.However, all may not be confused for the Sun Devils. With USC out of the race, and UCLA and Colorado unlikely to get a genuine threat, ASU need only finish ahead of Utah and Arizona to win the division crown, and could do so without a stellar record.

4. Arizona
The Wildcats have never been to the Rose Bowl, and the route to Pasadena has gotten just a bit harder with the change to divisions and a title game.While they won`t get to share with USC as a competition for the top spot this season, they do face the Trojans early on. In fact, after their cupcake opener against Northern Arizona, the Wildcats head to Oklahoma State before returning home to host Stanford and Oregon.A 1-4 start for Mike Stoops and co. is a very real, very likely possibility.The full word is it would think very small in price of the run for the division championship, and evening with that behind a start, if the Wildcats can save themselves motivated, can work out down the stretch against a lots more winnable slate, much alike the one that allowed them to rise into the top level of the rankings last season.An experienced QB in Nick Foles is a benefit, but the offence is overall very new, especially on the line, which could limit his power to create plays.Really, it could go any way for the Wildcats.

5. UCLA
Facing a seemingly do-or-die season for Slick Rick, the Bruins shook things up in the offseason with some coaching changes, including Neuheisel taking over as QB coach and hiring two new coordinators.Recently QB Kevin Prince was named the starter, a movement which was not exactly met with enthusiasm, as many were hoping for star recruit Brett Hundley to fill the spot.Talent-wise, the Bruins have the pieces, but it remains to be seen whether the coaching staff can revolutionize and use them to really win games.

6. Colorado
Good news Buffs, the Dan Hawkins era is officially ended and you are no longer stuck with Texas calling all the shots.Bad news Buffs, your team is breaking in a new coach, facing a whole new slate of conference foes, and look at a big change in offensive style.The Buffaloes return a lot of experienced players and take a risk to establish themselves in their new conference.I`m picking them for death now as a bit of an unknown quantity with a lot of question marks, but Colorado could surprise and go up the ranks.I`d be very surprised, however to see them compete for the top of the division. Simply earning a bowl berth would be a big step in the proper direction.