Pac-12 Football 2011 Breakdown: Worst to First, Everything You Need to Know

There is a brand new buzz around the new-look Pac-12 conference. Already one of the most underrated conferences and most successful, the Pac-12 is joining the elite.

The inaugural conference championship game will now be played at the site of the school with the best record. I am here to tell you who that will be in this breakdown of all 12 teams, from worst to first, divisions not taken into account.

12. Washington State Cougars

For being hands down the worst team in any major conference over the past four years, there is a little bit of buzz around the Cougars this year. The buzz is because the Cougars have brand spankin' new uniforms from Nike to try to usher in a new era of football.

They also have a pretty good young quarterback in Jeff Tuel (pictured), who will be the unquestioned leader of a team looking for any sort of confidence.

Washington State has won a grand total of five games since Paul Wulff took over in 2008. The team has been beyond bad and has oftentimes looked listless and disinterested. Yes, Wulff, who came from FCS Eastern Washington, inherited a tough situation from former coach Bill Doba. But it was by no means an impossible situation, and Washington State has won big in the past and is full of tradition with a good fanbase.

The excuses are over for Wulff, and odds are this is his final season on the Palouse.  

The Cougars will be hard pressed to win four games this season. Washington State should be at least competitive and fight in a few games in the fourth quarter. But it still lacks talent and depth across the board, and in a conference full of national powers, it will be another fall to forget in Pullman.

11. Colorado Buffaloes

This slide is where the debate for worst to first begins. There is no question in anyone's mind who follows the Pac-12 that Washington State is the doormat. After that, any other position can be argued. This argument sees the Buffaloes as the second-worst Pac-12 team.

Colorado was one of the two new teams added to the conference—the other being Utah—and the Buffaloes move over from the Big 12. Their first season in their new home will not be friendly.

Colorado, a once proud program and perennial national power, has taken a similar fall to Washington State in the past five years. While not nearly as extreme as the fall of the Cougars, former coach Dan Hawkins was a disaster in Boulder. Hawkins went just 19-39 in his tenure at Colorado and was fired after Colorado blew a 28-point, fourth-quarter lead and lost to Kansas on Nov. 6, 2010.

In steps CU alum and member of the 1990 national championship team Jon Embree. Embree will have his work cut out for him, but expectations won't be too high in his first year.

The Buffaloes, unfortunately for Embree, lack talent and depth at almost every position, the exceptions being quarterback and running back. Tyler Hansen will be in his second year under center and showed flashes of his skills last season. However, in order for Colorado to not have another 3-9 season, he will need to be the team's best player. Running back is deep with leading returning rusher Rodney Stewart (pictured) as the stalwart.

The defense is, well, to put it nicely, fragile. The linebackers form a solid core, but it appears they may not get much help from the other parties.

Finally, to make matters worse for the Buffs, the schedule makers did them no favors. They have just four conference home games, and their September non-conference schedule includes a tough road trip to Hawai'i and a brutal road trip to Ohio State.

Yikes. That's no cakewalk.

If Colorado can split those games and go 1-1, or shock the world and win both, it should be better than the second-worst team in the Pac-12.

10. California Golden Bears

Believe it or not, Cal had the best defense in conference play in 2010, yards-wise, and held Oregon to a season-low 317 yards and nearly upset the national runners-up at home.

However, last year, Cal tumbled to its first losing season since 2001, helped in part by an offense that put Bear fans to sleep, averaging just 292 yards per game—a far cry from its good teams of the mid 2000s.

Head coach Jeff Tedford, known for his ability to tutor and mentor quarterbacks, has, ironically, not had a solid signal caller since Aaron Rodgers left after the 2004 season. The position has been mired by inconsistency and head-scratching mistakes, which has ultimately led to a lack of production.

2011 may not be much different with the unproven Brock Mansion—who saw some action last season—transfer Zach Maynard and sophomore Allan Bridgford all fighting for top honors. None of them have extensive experience.

In order to help the quarterbacks out and to regain an offensive pulse, Tedford brought in a new offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and quarterbacks coach. Not coincidentally, those were the three positions holding this offense back.

The top two receivers, Keenan Allen and Marvin Jones, are back to help the quarterback, but for the first time in what seems like forever, Cal has a hole for a running back. Isi Sofele looks to be the man, but he will have a tough time reminding Bear fans of the NFL-bound Shane Vereen.

Lately, for some reason, this team has lacked the mental toughness to be good away from Berkeley. Seeing that, 2011 should be another long season for Cal fans, as all of their home games will be played at AT&T Park while their home, Memorial Stadium, undergoes renovation. Thus, Cal technically has no home games on its schedule. That alone will provide a serious setback.

9. UCLA Bruins

The first thing you are probably asking is why is UCLA not ranked lower? Well, that's easy.

Head coach "Slick Rick" Neuheisel may have finally found his answer at quarterback—and boy, does UCLA need it. To say the Bruins have had subpar quarterback play in recent years would not do it justice. You name it, it has plagued the Bruins in the passing game. In fact, even offensive guru Norm Chow could not work his magic and bring a pulse to the UCLA aerial attack.

Neuheisel was so desperate for any semblance of a passing game that he switched to the pistol, made famous by Nevada, to simplify things before last season. It didn't help. The passing game averaged a pedestrian 141 yards a game through the air.

The quarterback battle took an interesting twist this spring when early enrollee Brett Hundley took the reins and looked like the No. 1. He will have to fend off Kevin Prince and Richard Brehaut, who both took turns starting when the other one was ineffective or injured, but neither was inspiring. Hundley could be what saves Neuheisel's job. If Hundley is ineffective, it's tough to see improved quarterback play.

The fast and sure-handed receiving corps has gone to waste the past few seasons with all of the QB troubles. The top three receivers from 2010 return, as well as leading rusher Johnathan Franklin (pictured), who was one of the few offensive bright spots, racking up 1,127 yards and eight touchdowns. The offense is primed to take a huge step up, but as is becoming a common theme in Westwood, it all depends on the quarterback.

To make matters worse in 2010, the defense was unspectacular at its best, with a run defense that was, well, deplorable. It will help that eight starters return on that side of the ball, led by defensive end Datone Jones, but they will have to learn new schemes.

With an offense that frankly cannot be much worse and a defense that must improve and can get after the quarterback, things are looking up for the first time under Neuheisel, which is good because the fanbase is becoming apathetic. After a tough opening four games, the schedule cools off for UCLA, and if it can gain any confidence and play well, a bowl game is not out of the question.

8. Arizona Wildcats

The Wildcats have one of the most intriguing story lines this offseason. Arizona has played in three straight bowl games after underachieving in head coach Mike Stoops' first four seasons.  

So why are the Wildcats so intriguing? Well, how will they respond this season? In case you forgot, Arizona started out 7-1 with the lone setback being a two-point loss to Oregon State. Then came the implosion: The Wildcats went 0-5 over their final five games, topping it all off by being on the wrong end of a 36-10 shellacking at the hands of Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl.

That is just one of the myriad questions facing Arizona this offseason. Yes, the Wildcats have one of the top quarterbacks in the conference in Nick Foles (pictured), but there are just too many unknowns to rank them any higher.

There are many issues facing the offense. The offensive line has to be completely rebuilt after losing all five starters from last season, which really hurts. The Wildcats lose star receiver Juron Criner for the season to deal with personal issues, and only Keola Antolin returns at running back. Antolin is good when he is healthy, but his inconsistency on the field is largely due to his all too frequent visits to the infirmary. Will that change in 2011?

Are there enough pieces around to help Foles take the next step to the nation's elite? If so, the Wildcats are better than this eighth-place ranking. If not, then Foles will remain largely unknown to a lot of people east of the Mississippi that are not NFL scouts.

There are few holes on defense, but there are also few stars. Stoops can take solace that his defense will keep him in games if the offense struggles. The offense may be able to thank the defense for some quick scores and bailing them out. A bowl game for the fourth year in a row is feasible.

7. Oregon State Beavers

Oregon State traditionally struggles in September but is usually a force to be reckoned with later in the season. Last year was no exception but for the fact that the Beavers weren't much better late in the year. 2010 was shrouded in mediocrity on both sides of the ball, and it was a rare losing season for coach Mike Riley.

2011 should be better, but how much better is the key question. QB Ryan Katz (pictured left) is a budding star. He was often asked to carry the load later in the season and will benefit from throwing to two of last year's best receivers, Markus Wheaton and James Rodgers. But one concern is how Rodgers will be recovered from a second knee surgery.

The running game was good last year with Jacquizz Rodgers, James' younger brother, but 'Quizz now hopes to play on Sundays. No one really took hold of the job in the spring, so it will be interesting to see who comes out of fall camp. It may end up being running back by committee, which rarely is a good thing.

Last but certainly not least is the defense. Usually a bright spot, the defense also took a step back in 2010. Just four starters return on that side of the ball, and there are questions at every position. For Beaver fans, they may have to get used to Oregon State outscoring people this season.

The pieces are in place for a big run in 2012, but this year, the Beavers are a little bit too young and lack too much experience to get back to the top half of the conference, though a bowl game would not be too big a goal.

6. Washington Huskies

The Huskies were one of the most fun teams to watch in 2010, and 2011 won't be any different. Washington was painfully young in 2010 but is on the cusp of joining Oregon at the top of the conference.

Washington is loaded with pizazz at the skill positions, and head coach Steve Sarkisian welcomes two of the nation's top recruits at receiver and tight end in the fall. The Huskies also return the conference's second-leading rusher from last year in Chris Polk (pictured).

The Huskies must find a way to replace one of the most heralded quarterbacks in Washington history in Jake Locker, who left for the NFL. Keith Price took the lead in the spring and—believe it or not—is a better runner than Locker.

Whoever starts will be throwing to three of the league's most dynamic wide receivers, led by star Jermaine Kearse. Add in highly touted freshman recruit Austin Seferian-Jenkins at tight end and the Huskies will be able to score with anyone in the conference, despite a patchwork offensive line.

What is keeping Washington from the top of the conference is its defense. The Husky run defense was abysmal last season, allowing five of their opponents to top the 200-yard mark. The Husky pass defense was aided by a ferocious front four that was ranked in the top half of the conference in both sacks and tackles for loss.

Luckily for the Huskies, eight starters return on defense, including all four defensive linemen from last season. Surely, then, the run defense will improve. If the Huskies can make some open-field tackles and force some turnovers, they are primed for a huge season. But for now the defense is too much of a question overall to put them any higher.

5. Utah Utes

The Utes are the second newcomer to the Pac-12 this season, coming over from the Mountain West, where they ascended into national prominence.

Some will hold it against Utah that it did not even win the Mountain West last year before moving on to greener pastures, but that seems a little unfair considering the conference winner was undefeated TCU, who beat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. Utah still had a stellar 10-3 season, which included an 8-0 start.

Utah, despite getting a gift from the schedule gods by missing Stanford and Oregon in the North, have too many questions to be ranked higher.

First of all, Utah brings in former USC and UCLA offensive whiz Norm Chow to run the offense. He will be familiar with the new defenses Utah will be facing from his time in the Pac-10 but did not get to work with Jordan Wynn (pictured), the returning starter at quarterback in the spring due to injury. Also, the Utes lose both leading rushers from last season, but Thretton Palamo seemed to take the job in the spring.

Utah returns just five starters from a defense that was suspect versus the pass late in the season when the competition stiffened and has to replace all four starters in the secondary. That does not bode well for the Utes in a conference chock-full of capable field generals. The linebackers are the core of the Ute defense, and all three starters return. To add, the defensive line is big enough and athletic enough that, coupled with the linebackers, stopping the run should not be an issue.

Utah will be competitive, and eight or nine wins is not out of the question. The offense, with both leading receivers returning and a capable quarterback, will be fine. The defense will need to find playmakers in the secondary if Utah wants to really shake things up.

4. Arizona State Sun Devils

The Sun Devils—where do we start? It is no doubt the deepest team in the conference, but ASU still needs to sort some things out before it can win the South.

The Devils on offense have everything they need to be a scoring machine this fall. Brock Osweiler is the next big-time Pac-12 QB. The three top rushers and three of the top four receivers from 2010 return, as well as an offensive line that returns intact.

The inconsistency issues on offense from last season should be remedied by being in the second year under offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone. Familiarity alone will provide a jump, and the Devils finally have a bona fide starting quarterback who won't be looking over his shoulder. However, should Osweiler get injured, the replacements are mostly freshmen and an unproven backup, and the season may get derailed.

On defense, it's no secret that ASU has one of the best front sevens in the country. The secondary is where things will need to come together. Vocal leader and shutdown corner Omar Bolden was lost for the season in the spring to an ACL tear. On top of that, cornerback Deveron Carr returns after missing significant time to an injury as well last year. Whether or not he is 100 percent remains to be seen.

Osahon Irabor will be Bolden's replacement and saw a ton of playing time as a freshman last season. The experienced Clint Floyd and Eddie Elder will man the safety positions. The only issue is if the back four, who were repeatedly torched last season, can step up and provide backup for the incredible linebacking corps.

If they can, watch out. ASU will be a force to be reckoned with. If not, the Sun Devil faithful could very well be disappointed. Again.

3. Stanford Cardinal

There is little question that Stanford has the best quarterback in America and may arguably be the single most talented team west of the Mississippi not named Oklahoma. Stanford is No. 3 on this list, however, and not No. 1, for one reason: It has to replace head coach Jim Harbaugh.

It is difficult to showcase how much coach Harbaugh meant to this team. He took over following an 0-11 season under Walt Harris and had the unenviable task of trying to build it up to even be respectable. Under his watch, the Cardinal ascended to greatness, including being part of what is arguably the biggest upset in college football history, when they beat USC in Los Angeles after being 41-point underdogs in 2008.

Harbaugh did nothing but win in 2009 and 2010, with last season being the pinnacle. Stanford, led by quarterback Andrew Luck, looked unstoppable for the majority of the season, and the defense did its part by recording three shutouts. The only blemish was a loss to Oregon in Eugene.

Harbaugh left to coach the San Francisco 49ers this past offseason and took the majority of his assistants with him, including defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who orchestrated the Cardinal's defensive turnaround.

Now new head coach—and former offensive coordinator under Harbaugh—David Shaw is left to clean up the mess. He does have the best player at the most important position on the field. But the transition to his even-keeled demeanor from Harbaugh's edgy intensity will be tough.

No matter who the coordinator is, Shaw said, the offensive schemes will be the same. Shaw told SFGate.com, "We'll be a physical running team once again," he said. "We've got a pretty good quarterback that you might have heard of."    

Just on that alone, Stanford will lose two or three games this season.

2. University of Southern California Trojans

The Trojans were a disappointment last season when you compare last year's team with the ones put on the field by Lane Kiffin's predecessor, Pete Carroll.

Some would argue the struggles were a result of the NCAA probation, loss of scholarships and postseason ban USC is currently enduring. The real reason for the uninspiring 8-5 season was a defense that had little resemblance to the units of the mid 2000s.

Kiffin, who was a former offensive assistant under Carroll, had the offense clicking last season. Led by quarterback Matt Barkley and a deep group of running backs headed by Marc Tyler, the offense was balanced and efficient. 2011 will be no different: Tyler and backfield mate Dillon Baxter are devastating, and the receiving corps will be upgraded with incoming freshman George Farmer, who was the No. 1 receiver coming out of high school.

Oh, and add in Barkley, who is almost as good as Andrew Luck, and you can expect some fireworks in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum when the Trojans have the football.

The defense, which allowed an eye-opening 400 yards per game last season, returns seven starters. Talent abounds, and it will be in the second year of defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin's Tampa 2 defense. The issue is depth. Should anyone get hurt, there are few proven replacements, and the defense could slide again.

The "Men of Troy" have not felt the total brunt of their NCAA sanctions—that is still a couple years away. USC is talented, and say what you will about Kiffin's attitude, but the guy can coach. His Trojans will be contenders again, and they are still awaiting word on whether or not they will be able to play in the postseason.

Regardless, USC will be a force to be reckoned with in 2011.

1. Oregon Ducks

Whether or not you think Oregon should be punished for its recent NCAA investigation, one thing we can all agree on is that this team is really, really good. I mean really good.

The Ducks were national runners-up last season, but that wasn't all. Oregon's "blur" offense was a relentless scoring bonanza and downright unstoppable for the majority of its games. The Ducks only scored less than 30 points twice and led the nation in total offense, racking up an outlandish 530 yards per game.

They were a nightmare to play against.

Oregon loses two of its top four receivers from last season and two members of its offensive line, but the two key components—QB Darron Thomas and RB LaMichael James—make their triumphant return.

Folks, if you have not seen James play football, you are missing something truly special. While not having great size at just 5'9", he possesses breakneck speed and unbelievable vision. James led the nation in rushing in 2010, tallying 1,731 yards. Did I mention that James is also on the short list of preseason Heisman Trophy front-runners?

Add to that Thomas, who is speedy by quarterback standards and is coming into his second season as the starter. Thomas was shaky at times passing last season, but that should improve in his second year as the signal caller. Thus, despite Oregon having to replace two receivers, if Thomas becomes a better passer, the offense could actually improve in 2011.

Phew.

And we haven't even mentioned the defense yet.

The defense was no slouch, ending up as the 34th-ranked unit in America. In what seems to be a common thread in the Pac-12—with the exception of a few teams—the defense leaves the most to be desired for the Ducks. Only two starters return from the front seven, so the run defense will be closely watched in the fall.

Either way you look at it, the "Quack Attack" will be back in 2011. There is little reason to believe Oregon won't play in the first Pac-12 championship game. It's hard to see Oregon being even so much as contained offensively, and if the defense can be any semblance of last season, Oregon should cruise to 10 wins.

Whether or not the Ducks are national championship contenders all depends on the opener versus LSU.