Pac-12 Football: Darron Thomas and the Key Player for Each Team

With injuries galore, each team is discovering their identity and who they need to rely on for the next two-thirds of the college football season.

Each team still has dreams of playing in the inaugural Pac-12 championship game, but those dreams are turning into nightmares for some schools.

Most schools have a star player who gets the majority of the attention, but it's often the unsung hero who really leads the team to the promised land.

Here are the key players for each Pac-12 school.

Nick Foles, Arizona

Nick Foles is not just the most underrated quarterback in the Pac-12, but Foles is the most underrated quarterback in the entire country. Even with the worst offensive line in the entire Pac-12, Foles has shown so much poise in the pocket in 2011 that you’d think he’d been taking lessons from Ben Roethlisberger.

The Wildcats have one of the best passing attacks in the entire country, and it all revolves around Foles’ arm. In 2011, Foles has completed 129-of-183 passes with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Foles breathes in air and exhales efficiency.

Honorable Mention: Paul Vassallo

Brock Osweiler, Arizona State

Osweiler entered the 2011 season knowing he would be the man to replace Steven Threet, the expected starting quarterback for the Sun Devils had he not chose an early retirement. In 2011, Osweiler has met and exceeded all expectations, completing 93-of-135 passes for 1,094 yards with eight touchdowns and only three interceptions.

Osweiler has also shown that even with his lanky 6’8” frame, he can scramble a little bit. Osweiler is the second leading rusher for the Sun Devils with 28 rushes for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

Honorable Mention: Aaron Pflugrad

Mychal Kendricks, Cal

Cal’s defense has been up and down this season with a solid game against Fresno State, followed directly by a pitiful performance on the road in Boulder against the Colorado Buffaloes. Kendricks is the heart and soul of the Golden Bears’ defense, aiding in play calling and making sure players are lined up properly.

Kendricks has shown the capability of rotating to any one of the linebacking positions, an aptitude most valuable in a position with issues at depth.

Honorable Mention: Isi Sofele

Tyler Hansen, Colorado

To most fans, the obvious choice would be Rodney Stewart (Cal’s dynamic running back). As I mentioned in the intro slide, what’s most important is the player or position the team can’t afford to lose.

Considering Colorado’s level of competition, Hansen has gone above-and-beyond expectations in 2011. Hansen has completed 83-of-150 passes for 1,150 yards with nine touchdowns to just one interception.

The Buffaloes have huge question marks at backup, so the health and stability of Hansen is key if the Buffs’ want to make a bowl game this year (or just win a Pac-12 game).

Honorable Mention: Will Pericak

Darron Thomas, Oregon

Most people would think that the obvious choice is LaMichael James, but that just isn’t the case. The Ducks are loaded at running back with four solid backs (James, Kenjon Barner, De’Anthony Thomas and Tra Carson).

The entire Ducks’ offense revolves around the quarterbacks’ ability to effectively run the “zone-read” offense. Darron Thomas is the perfect fit for Oregon with his dual-threat abilities. Thomas has 941 total yards of offense (99 on the ground) and 14 total touchdowns.

Honorable Mention: Josh Kaddu

James Rodgers, Oregon State

I really struggled finding a Beaver to choose as most important to this Oregon State team. You can’t go with Ryan Katz or Sean Mannion (quarterbacks) because you never know which one is going in.

Then it seemed that the only obvious choice is James Rodgers, Oregon State’s great receiver. Rodgers gets this honor not for his production this season (he’s been injured all but one game), but for his leadership on and off the field.

Now in his fifth year playing for the Beavers, Rodgers knows this team and its players like no other player. If this team wants to actually compete this season, it will be on Rodgers’ shoulders to lead the team.

Honorable Mention: Rueben Robinson

Chase Thomas, Stanford

This honor would typically go to Shane Skov, but what appears to be a season ending injury has changed things up. Andrew Luck (quarterback) is the clear leader the leader of the offense, and Skov was that man on defense.

With his departure, Thomas is now the key to Stanford’s defense, taking his already important linebacker role and making it even bigger. If Thomas doesn’t step up, this team can kiss BCS dreams goodbye.

Honorable Mention: Andrew Luck

Sean Westgate, UCLA

There’s not much positive to say about UCLA. They have major concerns at quarterback. Their defense hasn’t been able to fully stop opposing offenses.

UCLA has a monster at linebacker in Sean Westgate who is the leader of the Bruins’ defense. You can’t expect the offense to consistently put up points, so the Bruins’ defense needs to step up.

Honorable Mention: Jeff Locke

Robert Woods, USC

The obvious choice would be Matt Barkley (quarterback), but the casual fan doesn’t understand just how great Robert Woods is. Arguably no wide receiver has been more important to their team than Woods is to the Trojans.

Woods has an astounding 492 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Any team hoping to beat the Trojans needs to take Woods out of the game.

Honorable Mention: Marc Tyler

John White IV, Utah

After a breakout game in the Utes’ opening week, White IV has kept the success going with a total of 380 rushing yards, with five touchdowns on the ground and one as a catch.

Utah has a phenomenal pass game led by their starting quarterback, Jordan Wynn, but the run game has been somewhat inconsistent in games. The Utes’ need a solid run game so teams have to worry about a balanced offensive attack.

Honorable Mention: Jordan Wynn

Alameda Ta’amu, Washington

There are numerous players that could get this honor. On offense, the Huskies have one of the best running backs in the Pac-12 in Chris Polk, two great wide receivers in Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar and a stud quarterback in Keith Price.

On defense, the Huskies have numerous players who have shined as well (Desmond Trufant and Cort Dennison). I decided to focus on Ta’amu (defensive tackle) because the run defense is a major area of concern.

The Huskies rank a respectable 52nd in the country in run D (127 yards per game), but they haven’t faced the best backs on their schedule. There’s John White IV (Utah), Rodney Stewart (Colorado), Stephan Taylor (Stanford), LaMichael James (Oregon) and Marc Tyler of USC.

The Huskies need to sure up the front seven.

Honorable Mention: Keith Price

Marshall Lobbestael, Washington State

I really thought the injury to Jeff Tuel (starting quarterback) would tank the Cougars 2011 season. Boy was I wrong. Washington State ranks fourth in the country with 380 yards per game through the air, something I never thought would happen.

Lobbestael has completed 58-of-93 passes for 959 yards, with 10 touchdowns and only two interceptions. The Cougars 2011 season is behind the arm of Marshall Lobbestael.

Honorable Mention: Marquess Wilson