The Seer, a little while ago Dins posted his prediction for the Pac 12...
Dins wrote:1. Vacant
2. Vacant
3. Stanford
4. Utah
5. Everyone else
While that was at least somewhat meant tongue-in-cheek, I'd say it should be about right, although I'd obviously swap Stanford for Vacant Number Two.
Unless Utah shows surprisingly well, either USC or 'Zona should be the class of the Pac 12 South. More than anything, it's down to experienced QB play. Between Nick Foles and his group of returning stud receivers and the Barkley/Woods combo, those two teams ought to have a major advantage over the rest of the division.
Clearly USC is a total wildcard. Who the hell hell knows how they will respond to Season Two of this deal? Certainly they ought to be better defensively, if for no other reason than the simple fact that this year they're actually tackling during practice. Last year Kiffin tried to save his players by eschewing tackling in practice; as a result, come game time they couldn't tackle JTR. Offensively, as long as Barkley can avoid last season's nagging injuries, they'll have to be better this time around.
Bare minimum, Kiffin owes USC a win in South Bend. That debacle in the Coliseum last season has to be redressed.
Arizona seems to be the program that is on the rise. I respect redass extraordinaire Mike Stoops, and senior leadership at the QB position—particularly when the QB is very good—counts for a whole lot in BTPCF. The Cats could easily pull another 'Zona (or ASU) and fall on their faces amid high expectations, but I don't think they'll tank this time. They get USC at home, and I look for them to win the South.
As always, your team's fortunes ride on that revolving door behind center. Can any of those guys stay upright long enough to build any consistency? Over the past few seasons, no, the Bruins really haven't been able to trot out the same guy long enough to form any sort of offensive identity.
If UCLA does fail again, and assuming it's not due to injuries, Neuheisel must go. He's had too much talent at his disposal to continue along this same path. It's time for his better-than-decent recruiting classes to come to the fore in the form of dominating wins.
It starts with Houston. If UCLA is going to be worth a shit, the Cougs should pose little problem for them. UCLA should be able to put a physical beatdown on a C-USA team. Yes, they're going to give up points to that offense, but their D should also be able to harrass Keenan into turnovers and short fields. Offensively, UCLA should be able to run the ball down their throats.
Nice little barometer game.
I expect little to nothing from Colorado, not this soon. Utah? I don't know enough about them to have much of a worthwhile opinion. Coming out of the Mountain West, I know they're looking at a week-to-week uphill battle, at least compared to what they've normally faced in conference play.
ASU? Second fiddle, even in their own state. Erickson likely isn't long for that spot, not after this season. Slutty coeds and ridiculous new unis will be all they have on which to hang their stupid new myriad of helmets.
I'll be surprised if Oregon loses a conference game, and I'll be equally surprised if Stanford loses in-conference to anyone other than Oregon.
