College Football 2011: Power Ranking the New Pac-12 Conference
I would like to make it clear that this is no longer the Pac-10 conference; rather, it is the Pac-12 conference.
The additions of Utah and Colorado expand the conference's membership to 12 teams. This will be a historic year for the conference, and there should be no lack of elite talent out west this year either.
I will let you know where every team will finish up in 2011. From Oregon to Stanford, the comprehensive rankings are right here.
12. Washington State
1 of 12
To say that Washington State had a bad season in 2010 would be an understatement. The Cougars only had two victories, and one of those wins came in a 23-22 thriller against Montana State.
Head coach Paul Wulff is in his third season with the school, and he could really use a positive season to keep the heat from boiling on his seat.
Quarterback Jeff Tuel is back and should once again be the focus of the Cougars' offensive game plan. Wide receivers Marquess Wilson and Jared Karstetter should assist Tuel at quarterback.
Washington State will need to get better play out of a defense that gave up 35.8 points per game in 2010. Tuel will provide help on offense, but the offense does not have the firepower to win shootouts.
A bowl game is not realistic; rather, those around the program are hoping that Washington State can tack a few extra wins onto the 2011 ledger compared to the two victories it compiled in 2010.
11. California
2 of 12
Head coach Jeff Tedford experienced his first losing season in his nine years at Cal last season.
Tedford and the Golden Bears will no doubt be looking to rebound from last season’s disappointing campaign, but it will prove to be uphill sledding for this Cal team.
Star running back Shane Vereen is gone, as is quarterback Kevin Riley on offense.
The defense only gave up 22.6 points per game last season and proved to be serviceable for California. Even more responsibility will be given to the defense in 2011 with all the uncertainty on offense.
California does not have a Jahvid Best, DeSean Jackson or Aaron Rodgers on its roster right now. The lack of a truly elite playmaker sets the Bears back. Unless the defense plays inspired football, it is hard to imagine Cal making any noise worth hearing in the Pac-10 next season.
10. UCLA
3 of 12
It is clear that head coach Rick Neuheisel is on the hot seat at UCLA. Neuheisel has had an unimpressive tenure thus far with the school that only resulted in a victory in the EagleBank Bowl.
The 2011 season is a make or break year for the coach, and it is important that UCLA takes a step forward next fall.
All the skill players return on offense, headlined by All-Pac-10 running back Johnathan Franklin. As is the case with other teams on this list, UCLA will need to get consistent play from an inexperienced offensive line if it hopes to have success on offense.
Eight returning starters on defense bodes well for this Bruins defense. However, UCLA did give up 30.3 points last season, so those same defensive players will have to step up their games collectively next season.
A bowl appearance seems like a must if Neuheisel hopes to keep his job. UCLA has the talent to reach a bowl game, but any hope of a prestigious invite is probably wishful thinking.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
9. Colorado
4 of 12
Like Utah, Colorado is making the transition to the Pac-12 conference.
The Buffaloes shuffled up the deck and hired Jon Embree to replace Dan Hawkins in Boulder.
Embree will have the benefit of having an experienced Buffalo team that makes its debut performance in the Pac-12.
The offense will run through senior running back Rodney Stewart as Tyler Hansen tries to provide stable play at the quarterback position. The fact that Colorado returns four offensive linemen from last season should only enhance the Buffaloes' rushing attack.
Colorado’s defense is also fairly experienced, although the departure of cornerback Jimmy Smith in the secondary leaves a hole that will need to be filled. The Buffaloes' strength on defense will be on the defensive line, where Colorado returns three starters.
Colorado will not challenge for one of the top spots in the Pac-12, but a bowl game is not out of the question for Embree and the Buffaloes.
8. Arizona
5 of 12
Arizona tries to take the next step under Mike Stoops and rebound from a 2010 season that saw the Wildcats lose their last five games.
The pass-catching combination of quarterback Nick Foles and wide receiver Juron Criner is lethal and should give defenses fits all year. Arizona will also be aided by an experienced backfield. All this skill position talent will mean nothing if Arizona cannot get good blocking out of an offensive line that only returns one starter.
Arizona gave up 24 or more points in each of its six losses last season. The defense figures to be improved thanks to the majority of talent returning in the secondary and at linebacker. Arizona will be no defensive power, but it should be able to provide Foles and the offense with more security compared to last season.
A bowl game appears to be in the cards for the Wildcats, but Arizona will have to get good play out of the offensive line and cure its defensive woes if it truly wants to be a force in the Pac-12.
7. Oregon State
6 of 12
Head coach Mike Riley runs an excellent program at Oregon State, and it is hard to believe that the Beavers will drop any further than sixth next season.
Oregon State’s offense will be potent in 2011 despite the departure of jitterbug running back Jacquizz Rodgers. Quarterback Ryan Katz returns, as does wide receiver James Rodgers and an experienced offensive line for the Beavers. These key returning talents should ensure that Oregon State’s offense can keep up in the fast-paced Pac-12 conference.
It is the defensive side of the ball that Riley is losing sleep thinking about. Only four starters return from last season’s unit. There is not one specific aspect of the defense that will have the advantage of playing with seasoned talents.
Road games against Oregon, Utah and Arizona State will be tough to navigate for the Beavers as well.
Oregon State definitely returns some important pieces, but an inexperienced defense coupled with a tough schedule drop the Beavers to the seventh spot.
6. Washington
7 of 12
Head coach Steve Sarkisian did well in his second season, guiding Washington to a victory over Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl.
Even without decorated quarterback Jake Locker, there is reason to believe that the Huskies can once again be a force in 2011.
The Huskies will switch to a more rush-based attack that will put the talents of All-Pac-10 running back Chris Polk on full display. Polk will run behind an offensive line that returns four starters from last season’s aforementioned Holiday Bowl team.
Washington will also feature a defense that will be loaded with upperclassmen. This experience bodes well for Washington, especially in conference play.
It will be interesting to see how the Huskies deal with life after Jake Locker under center. Even with the loss of Locker, Washington still has the talent to remain a contender in the Pac-12 conference.
5. Utah
8 of 12
Utah ventures into Pac-12 play for the first time in 2011, and the Utes have the talent to make some noise right off the bat.
The pass-catching combination of quarterback Jordan Wynn and wide receiver DeVonte Christopher leads this spread Utah attack. Running back Matt Asiata and wide receiver Shaky Smithson must be replaced, but Utah still has a considerable amount of talent to take into its opening Pac-12 campaign.
Only five starters return on defense for Utah. The defense requires reloading. It will likely be on the defensive side of the ball rather than on offense where Utah will take its lumps.
The schedule also sets up nicely for the Utes. Utah dodges Oregon and gets to play Arizona State at home next season.
It is always a gamble to predict big things from a team such as Utah that is transitioning into a power conference. Believe me when I say, though, that Utah has the power to make noise right away in its new conference.
4. Arizona State
9 of 12
At first glance, it may seem silly to rank the Sun Devils this high on the list. Hear me out though.
Arizona State looked impressive winning its final two games last season under the direction of upstart quarterback Brock Osweiler.
The Sun Devils now carry that momentum into a 2011 campaign where the team returns 20 starters from last season. Arizona State returns 11 starters from an offense that averaged 42.5 points in its last two contests.
I am putting a lot of stock in Arizona State’s surge at the end of 2010 season, coupled with the fact that virtually everyone returns from last season’s squad. Think about this though: Arizona State’s five losses came by a combined 11 points.
The Sun Devils were a few plays away from having a big season in 2010. If Arizona State can close better down the stretch, then you can expect 2011 to be a big year for head coach Dennis Erickson and the kids from Tempe.
3. USC
10 of 12
Regardless of whether USC is on probation or not, you can count on the Trojans to never stray too far from the top of the Pac-12 pecking order.
Quarterback Matt Barkley returns on offense and will be accompanied by skilled talents such as running back Marc Tyler, wide receiver Robert Woods and highly regarded incoming recruit George Farmer. Tyron Smith’s departure on the offensive line leaves a hole that will have to be filled for the Trojans.
The defense looked surprisingly lax last season, especially in losses to Oregon, Oregon State and Washington. It will be crucial that USC gets good play out of its defense next season so that the offense is not forced to get tangled up in shootouts.
Head coach Lane Kiffin and the Trojans want to win these games badly, regardless of whether a bowl game will be their reward. USC once again has the power to finish near the top of the Pac-12 conference as it continues to sit through its probationary status.
2. Stanford
11 of 12
Stanford has without a doubt the best player in the Pac-12 in quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck’s presence in itself elevates the Cardinal to a lofty position on this list.
Unfortunately, Stanford has too many losses to fill on the sidelines, offense and defense in 2011 for it to be able to overtake Oregon at the top.
The aforementioned Luck and running back Stepfan Taylor return on offense, but the presence of wide receivers Ryan Whalen and Doug Baldwin will surely be missed. The departure of tight end Konrad Reuland also stings.
The defense is in a similar situation to the offense. There are talented leftovers from last season’s team, such as strong safety Delano Howell, but the losses of linebackers Owen Marecic and Thomas Keiser will definitely be felt.
These losses, in addition to the transition that will have to be made on the sidelines from former head coach Jim Harbaugh, will hold Stanford back from taking down the Pac-12 title in 2011.
1. Oregon
12 of 12
There is no reason to think that Oregon will fall from the top of the Pac-12 standings in 2011.
The Ducks will once again have a bevy of talented offensive skill players, headlined by LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner and Darron Thomas. Expect Oregon to once again use its fast-paced spread offensive attack to blitz opposing teams.
Oregon has holes to fill on defense, particularly in a front seven that only returns two starters. This inexperience will no doubt cause problems early, but the offense should be able to carry most of the weight while these new defensive players grow up.
A road game at Stanford will be no easy task, but that is the one daunting matchup on Oregon’s Pac-12 slate. The Ducks will have the advantage of playing USC at home. Oregon has established itself as a power in the Pac-12, and I do not see anybody knocking the Ducks' crown off next season.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
