Pac-12 Football 2012: Each Team's Offensive Player of the Year Candidate

While the college football season remains months away, the levels of anticipation are at an all-time high. USC is off of probation, stars Andrew Luck and LaMichael James are NFL-bound and prolific head coaches Mike Leach, Rich Rodriguez, and Jim Mora Jr. have all found new Pac-12 homes.

For as many changes that have been made, however, some things have stayed the same.

The offensive outputs in the Pac-12 will continue to be the story of conference play. Leach and Rodriguez each bring high-powered offensive attacks to Washington State and Arizona, respectively.

Additionally, the loss of running back LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas is unlikely to slow down Oregon, as Kenjon Barner and DeAnthony Thomas seem poised to bring in a new generation of Ducks. Oh, and some guy named Matt Barkley is heading back to Southern California for his senior season.

So who is going to stand out? While there is so much time for things to change, it's worth asking the question: Who is each team's player to watch in 2012? Furthermore, who has the best chance of winning the Pac-12's Offensive Player of the Year?

Some are obvious, while others may come as a surprise. Regardless, stars will be born, dynasties will begin and someone will reign supreme in the Pac-12. Let's find out which player from each team has the best chance at individual glory.

Note: No freshmen made this list. Sorry, folks, but I refuse to predict collegiate success based on high school success.

Arizona Wildcats: Ka'Deem Carey, Running Back

While Keola Antolin took most of the carries in 2011, Carey actually scored more touchdowns for the Wildcats. His year started out a bit slow as a freshman looking to prove himself, but once he got his opportunities he came up big.

His two-touchdown performance in a near upset of USC put him on the map for most Wildcat fans, and over the next two games, he found the end zone in both. In 2012, Carey is sure to find the end zone even more often with the run-first approach of new head coach Rich Rodriguez.

Arizona State Sun Devils: Cameron Marshall, Running Back

With star quarterback Brock Osweiler going pro, the Sun Devils' offense now rests promptly on running back Cameron Marshall's shoulders. After Marshall ran for 18 touchdowns in 2011, that shouldn't worry too many Sun Devil fans.

Marshall has the unique ability to run both in and outside of the tackles, possessing the lower body strength to take on lineman, linebackers and safeties alike. His combination of speed and strength helped him find the end zone quite often in 2011, and in 2012 that should be no different.

California Golden Bears: Isi Sofele, Running Back

Sofele is one of of three Cal players poised to have a big year, with the others being quarterback Zach Maynard and wide receiver Keenan Allen. In Sofele's case, however, we're not sure how he isn't a household name already.

Sofele will enter his senior year on the heels of a career year. The Salt Lake native ran the ball 252 times for 1,322 yards, good for fifth in a deep group of Pac-12 running backs. He added on 10 touchdowns, including five in Pac-12 play.

If he wants to help the Golden Bears win more than seven games in 2012, though, he'll need to become a reliable check-down option for lefty Zach Maynard.

Colorado Buffaloes: Nick Hirschman, Quarterback

Nick Hirschman scarcely played in 2011, but when he did he showed great composure.

Despite an offensive line that seemed to let any sign of pass rush run through, he managed to complete better than 50 percent of his passes while coming off of the bench cold turkey. In 2012, his experience in those situations should shine through as he attempts to pace the Buffaloes to the Bowl Season.

He has prototypical size at 6'3" and 230 pounds, and is more elusive than he seems. If he and receiver Paul Richardson can develop some type of rhythm, the Buffaloes could actually stand a fighting chance in the Pac-12 South. It'd take a monster year from Hirschman, but don't put it past him.

Oregon Ducks: DeAnthony Thomas, Utility Player

Forgive me for not listing a true position, but how can you limit the second-year player to just one?

As a running back, he ran for 595 yards and seven touchdowns on just 55 carries; that's good for a video game number of 10.8 yards per carry. As a receiver, he caught 46 passes for 605 yards and nine touchdowns. And finally, as a return man he averaged 27.3 yards per return and brought back two kicks for touchdowns.

So, you tell me: What position would you like to confine him to?

In 2012, Thomas will have a target on his chest thanks to LeMichael James' departure. Should he post similar numbers to a year ago, it'll be hard to argue his merit as Conference Player of the Year. Should he top them, it should be a foregone conclusion.

Oregon State Beavers: Sean Mannion, Quarterback

Not only did Sean Mannion average more passing yards per game than Andrew Luck, but he may be the more prototypical quarterback, as well. Okay, that might be a stretch, considering he was just a freshman it's hard not to be excited.

With one look at the 6'5" quarterback, it's hard to imagine anything less than success. While the expectations aren't high for the Beavers, having Mannion behind center and Markus Wheaton at wide receiver has to inspire hope in the OSU faithful.

Mannion and Wheaton are sure to make a few highlight reels, and if Mannion can bring down the number of interceptions he throws, he might be able to bring a few wins their way as well.

Stanford Cardinal: Stepfan Taylor, Running Back

Masked by the hype surrounding Andrew Luck was the brilliance of running back Stepfan Taylor. The 5'11" running back was fourth in the Pac-12 with 1,330 yards rushing, and in Stanford's heartbreaking Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma State, was the best player on the Cardinal sideline. Yes, including Andrew Luck.

Taylor ran the ball 35 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns against the Cowboys, giving the Cardinal the lead with each of his scores. We can only imagine he'll continue to build on that success.

While Barry Sanders Jr. will certainly bring a high-profile name to the depth chart, there's no reason Taylor shouldn't keep his starting job and continue to produce as a senior.

UCLA: Johnathan Franklin, Running Back

In 2011, Franklin and Derrick Coleman were one of the best running back tandems in all of college football.

They combined to run for 1,741 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading an inconsistent UCLA unit to the Pac-12 Championship. In 2012, there's a good chance Johnathan Franklin will post those numbers on his own.

He's not a great check-down option, but he showed improvement over the course of the season as he learned where to be and when. As a runner, he's capable of running within and outside of his blockers, showing an excellent burst in the open field.

He is fully capable of being the centerpiece for the Bruins' offense under new head coach Jim Mora Jr.

USC Trojans: Robert Woods, Wide Receiver

Forgive me for going against the grain, but don't forget we've seen this before. The last time a Heisman-worthy USC quarterback decided to come back for his senior year, he ended up being passed in the Heisman voting by a fellow teammate.

This year may not be any different, mainly because of Robert Woods.

Woods led the Pac-12 with 111 receptions and 15 touchdowns, as well as ranking fourth in yards. While he's likely to receive a lot of double coverage early in the season, breakout freshman Marquise Lee did enough in 2011 to merit attention from opposing defenses.

Because of that, Woods should have no problem finding openings. Another monster year should be on it's way.

Note: This is just a friendly reminder that Matt Barkley is going to be a Heisman favorite. Educate yourself on him before you're the last person in the room going, "Wait, who?"

Utah Utes: John White IV, Running Back

After reaching 100 yards in just three of his first seven games, JW4 erupted with 100-yard performances in five out of the final six games, including 115 yards and the game-winning touchdown run against Georgia Tech in the Hyundai Sun Bowl.

In 2012, it's hard not to expect more of the same.

Of the eight times John White IV topped 100 yards rushing, only two games saw him run for less 150 yards. In those two games, he ran for a game-winning touchdown and a fourth quarter score to put the game out of reach.

What I'm saying is this: John White IV is clutch, consistent and most of all, Conference Player of the Year material.

Washington Huskies: Keith Price, Quarterback

In 2011, Keith Price put up Heisman-worthy statistics and we'll get to why Robert Griffin III would agree in a second. Price threw for 3,063 yards, 33 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 66.9 percent of his passes.

He was second in the Pac-12 to potential first-overall draft pick Andrew Luck when it came to quarterback efficiency, topping 2012 Heisman favorite Matt Barkley. His 33 touchdowns tied Oregon's Darron Thomas for third in the Pac-12.

Now, back to RG3. The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner was the deserving winner, and there's absolutely no question about it. When Griffin's Baylor Bears met Price's Washington Huskies in the Valero Alamo Bowl, however, it was Price who looked the part of "best in the nation."

Despite dropping the game 67-56, Price showed everyone why he's the next elite quarterback. Keith Price accounted for seven touchdowns. Seven.

He threw efficiently, completing 23 of his 37 passes en route to 328 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. On the ground, he ran the ball five times for 39 yards, scoring three rushing touchdowns.

That's seven touchdowns.

Washington State Cougars: Marquess Wilson, Wide Receiver

Marquess Wilson has posted elite receiving numbers in both of his first two seasons, and now that he has offensive guru Mike Leach as his head coach, it's hard to imagine he won't duplicate this success.

After posting 55 receptions for 1,006 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman, Wilson took the leap to elite as a sophomore. His 82 receptions ranked third in the Pac-12, and 1,388 yards were second to Arizona State's Gerrell Robinson.

He also ranked second with 12 receiving touchdowns. Expect all of those to improve as the 6'4" wide out becomes Leach's new Michael Crabtree.