2012 Pac-12 Football Schedule: Matchups Guaranteed to Shape BCS Title Picture

Thanks to an SEC BCS National Championship, the Pac-12 is already thinking about the 2012 regular season. The schedules are out.

Here are the most important matchups guaranteed to paint next year’s BCS picture (via Pac-12.org).

USC at Stanford: Sept. 15

Matt Barkley returned to USC, but Andrew Luck is gone. This game will show if the Cardinal will be able to continue to hang with the nation’s top teams or if they’re in for a drop off.

Arizona at Oklahoma State: Sept. 22

In Rich Rodriguez’s second game at Arizona, he’ll have a chance to knock off a powerhouse. If a lack of film can aid the Wildcats in knocking off the Cowboys, it would shake up the college football universe.

Oregon at Washington State: Sept. 29

Like Rich Rod’s first big matchup, Mike Leach has a chance to shock the nation with a win over the powerhouse Oregon Ducks. De’Anthony Thomas will be a preseason Heisman favorite, but at home, Leach’s offense may just stun the Ducks D.

Stanford at California: Oct. 20

California’s leading passer, rusher and receiver are all returning next season, so expect a big improvement from the Bears. As long as Stanford is still relevant, the Big Game is bound to have a big affect on next season’s Pac-12 standings.

Oregon at USC: Nov. 3

This one doesn’t need too much explaining: Oregon vs. USC is the game of the year in the conference, and the two may just face off again in the Pac-12 title. LaMichael James may be gone, but Barkley, Robert Woods and Darron Thomas will still put on a show.

Stanford at Oregon: Nov. 17

Stanford will finally get their chance at revenge in mid-November. They couldn’t defend their home turf this year, losing 53-30, but they’ll fly north into Duck-country looking to pull their own upset.

USC at UCLA: Nov. 17

This California rivalry hasn’t been too heated in recent years, as USC has won five straight contests.  The last time a BCS National title was on the line in 2006, though, UCLA denied the Trojans and will have an opportunity to trigger some déjà vu.

Notre Dame at USC: Nov. 24

Notre Dame has to be better than they were this season…right? With Manti Te’o and many others coming back, the Fighting Irish will be a major threat to knock off USC in each team’s regular season finale.

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels