North
1. Oregon Ducks, 12-0 (9-0)
If Chip Kelly would have not run the zone read exclusively at the goal line against Auburn I might be talking about Oregon as the defending National Champions. However they aren't, but don't expect the Ducks to fall back. Oregon brings back practically their entire offense and most of their defensive parts. If they can get past LSU in the season opener and Stanford during conference play they should be back in the BCS Title Game.
2. Stanford Cardinal, 11-1 (8-1)
What Jim Harbaugh did for the Stanford program has to be one of the best program boosts in recent college football history. Stanford routinely finished at the bottom of the Pac 10, then Harbaugh comes in and turns takes them to a BCS Bowl and now top level high school prospects are coming to Palo Alto. However Harbaugh has moved on to the San Francisco 49ers and he brought with him DC Vince Fangio who is very highly regarded and made the Cardinal defense one of the best in the Pac 10. However Stanford was able to keep Andrew Luck around for at least another year. Luck is arguably the best college quarterback since Peyton Manning. He'll lead the offense and they should only get better from the previous two years. Their biggest game will come November 12th when they play against Oregon. If they can win that game they have a shot at playing for a National Title game, if not they'll likely get back to their second BCS Bowl in a row.
3. Washington Huskies, 7-5 (5-4)
The hire of Steve Sarkisian was a great hire for the Huskies who made it to their first bowl game since 2002. Sarkisian has attracted more talent and made the Huskies a lot more competitive. Even though they lost 4 year starting QB Jake Locker they should continue to improve and are lead by RB Chris Polk who is one of the best running backs in the nation and underrated WR Jearmaine Kearse. Look for the Huskies to build off their Holiday Bowl victory over Nebraska and have another good season that ends with a second straight bowl appearance.
4. Oregon State Beavers, 6-6 (4-5)
Oregon State always overachievers and gets the most out of their talent. However they are going to struggle on offense now that star JaQuizz Rodgers has left they don't really have many weapons. JaQuizz's brother James is still there but he is coming back from a bad concussion and might not be ready for the start of the season. Ryan Katz is a solid QB, but he is going to have to carry a big load if the Beavers are going to be successful this season.
5. California Golden Bears, 5-7 (2-7)
You would think with all the NFL talent that has come out of the Golden Bear program that they would be bigger contenders for Pac 10 titles. However they have constantly underachieved. A big part of that is due to the QB play. Jeff Teadford is supposedly know for being a QB guru, but he hasn't produced a top level QB since Aaron Rodgers or Kyle Boller. This year should be very similar to the last couple of years. The Bears will be competitive but they'll struggle against top tier Pac 12 teams and either barley make it to a bowl game or miss out. I wonder if the University will start thinking it might be time for a new regime to take over? Just a thought.
6. Washington State Cougars, 2-10 (0-9)
Back in 1997 Washington State was Pac 10 Champion and playing in the Rose Bowl against eventual Co-National Champion Michigan. In 2002 the Cougars were back in the Rose Bowl after another Pac 10 Championship. However HC Mike Price took off to become the HC at Alabama (were he was fired before he even coached a game) and the program hasn't been the same. They hired very successful Paul Wulf who was very successful at Eastern Washington, but he just hasn't been able to have any success while at WSU. This year should be no different. Despite having vastly underrated QB Jeff Tuel the Cougars are void of any other talent. It will be a long year for the Cougars and they'll probably be looking for a new HC for the 2012 season.
South
1. USC Trojans, 9-3 (6-3)
The Trojans have a roster that's full of talent and a three year starter at QB. However no matter how they finish they will not be able to make it to the inaugural Pac 12 Title Game or a bowl game due to NCAA sanctions as a part of the Reggie Bush situation. Which is too bad because none of these players were even on the team when those violations occurred. But that won't stop the Trojans from playing and they should have a good season. QB Matt Barkley is the real deal and he has all the weapons to be successful. The defense should be strong again with another year under legendary DC Monte Kiffen. S TJ McDonald, LB Chris Galippo, and DE Nick Perry should make it difficult for opponents.
2. Arizona State Sun Devils, 9-3 (6-3)
This is the year that Sun Devil fans have been waiting for. Arizona State has an improve team with impact players on both offense and defense. Add in a weak South Division, they could find themselves playing in the first Pac 12 Title Game. On offense they are lead by QB Brock Osweiler who really impressed at the end of last season and they have high hopes that he can take the next step and get the offense back to the Rudy Carpenter days. But they have to have their skill players step up and help him out or he could still struggle. On defense they have ILB Vontaze Burfict who is an all around mean as hell tackling machine, who might be the best defensive player in the country. This could be the year in Tempe, but we've thought that before and have been disappointed.
3. Arizona Wildcats, 6-6 (4-4)
Arizona was looking like they were going to be making the move into the top their of teams in the Pac 10 but they struggled and dropped their final four games. This year they are going to have to prove that last year was a fluke and not lose to teams like Arizona State or Oregon State. Luckily they still have Nick Foles who will be entering his third year as a starter and he has talented WRs in Juron Criner and Dan Buckner. However they have to replace three key defensive lineman that were a big part of their defensive success. If the Wildcats and improve their defense then they could find themselves in the hunt for the South Division crown, otherwise they'll be going to a lower bowl game for a second straight year.
4. Utah Utes, 7-5 (4-5)
The Utes come into the Pac 12 looking to show that they can compete every weekend in a BCS conference after being a BCS buster the past ten years. They'll get their chance in the weaker of the two division, but it will be an uphill battle. On paper USC, Arizona and Arizona State are all better teams. However never count out the Utes. HC Kyle Wittingham is an excellent defensive mind and newly hired OC Norm Chow is looking to get some redemption after being fired from UCLA. Utah has a chance, but it looks like they might have to wait for another year.
5. Colorado Buffaloes, 5-7 (3-6)
Colorado is often overlooked when people talk about teams in new conferences, but the Buffaloes have to be happy to be a part of the Pac 12 where they feel like they are better suited. They've always recruited the west coast pretty hard and they have a lot of their alumni living out in California. As for their chances this season, its going to be tough. They have a new HC in John Emrey who has been with the Washington Redskins that past few seasons. They do have some talent, but the have really underachieved the past three seasons. If Emery can light a fire under them and get some consistent QB play they could surprise. But don't count on it. They'll be at the bottom of the standings.
6. UCLA Bruins, 4-8 (2-7)
I know some people have the Bruins finishing at the top of the South standings, but I'm not seeing it. The Bruins have really been underachievers and the constant assistant coaching changes have lead to no continuity. Add in injuries and inconsistent QB play and that's a recipe for disaster. UCLA is going to have a hard time in the new Pac 12 and they could be another team looking for a new HC for the 2012 season.
Offensive Player of the Year: Andrew Luck, Stanford
Defensive Player of the Year: Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State
Freshman of the Year: Kyle Prater, USC
Coach of the Year: Steve Sarkisian, Washington
All Pac 12 Team
Offense
QB: Andrew Luck, StanfordRB: LeMichael James, Oregon
RB: Chris Polk, Washington
TE: David Paulson, Oregon
WR: Juron Criner, Arizona
WR: Jermaine Kearse, Washington
T: Jonathan Martin, Stanford
G: Devin DeCastro, Stanford
C: Kai Maiava, UCLA
G: Ryan Miller, Colorado
T: Matt Kalil, USC
Defense
DE: Junior Onyeali, Arizona State
DT: Alameda Ta'amu, Washington
DT: Justin Washington, Arizona
DE: Travis Long, Washington State
LB: Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State
LB: Shayne Skov, Stanford
LB: Mychal Kendricks, California
CB: Cliff Harris, Oregon
S: TJ McDonald, USC
S: Tony Dye, UCLA
CB: Desmond Trufant, Washington
Specialists
K: Erik Folk, Washington
P: Bryan Anger, California
KR/PR: Chris Owusu, Stanford
