Jacob Bunn's 2011 Pac 12 Football Preview
Posted on August 23, 2011 by Jacob Bunn
Notes –
It will be interesting to observe the play in the recently expanded Pac 12. I think one of the more interesting bits of irony is the fact that USC, the program that dominated this conference in recent years, will not be allowed to compete in the first ever Pac 12 Championship Game. It would further the irony if USC ended up with the best record in the Pac 12 South, which could easily happen.
If you are not familiar with the division alignment, here it is:
North –
California, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington, Washington State
South –
Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, UCLA, USC, Utah
Biggest Surprise: Utah
One team will have to end up winning the southern division, and I think it will be Utah. The Utes do not have to play Oregon or Stanford from the northern division. Kyle Wittingham has had his team primed for a big year every season since he took over as the head coach of the program in 2004. In my opinion, the game on November 5th at Arizona will be the most meaningful matchup in the Pac 12 South.
Biggest Disappointment: Oregon
If Oregon were a commodity on Wall Street, I would be selling. Everyone has just assumed that with so many players from last year returning, the Ducks will be a sure thing to breeze through most of their schedule. But, I think their schedule is significantly more difficult than last year. The Ducks open with LSU, they play at Arizona in week four, and they travel to Boulder to play Colorado on October 22nd. As if that is not challenging enough, the final three regular season games for Oregon will be at Stanford, USC, and Oregon State. I just don’t think the Ducks can make another run this year with that schedule.
Game to Watch: Oregon at Stanford (November 12)
In its first season as a split conference, the Pac 12 is tilted toward the northern division. And, the two teams I feel will still be competing for the division in November, and the national championship, are Oregon and Stanford. Last year, Stanford raced out to a sizeable lead in the first half, but in the second half Oregon came storming back and put the Cardinal away. I don’t think Stanford has forgotten, and I think home field advantage will be the difference in this one.
Champion: Stanford
I think Stanford has what it takes to get to the inaugural Pac 12 Championship Game and win it. As stated above, I think the biggest contest of the year for the Cardinal will be the game at home against Oregon, which I have them winning. I do not have Stanford going undefeated, though. The game against USC in Los Angeles is the point where I think Stanford is most vulnerable. I think it will be Stanford beating Utah in the Pac 12 Championship Game.
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Email Jacob at jacob@bunnsports.com and follow him on Twitter at @JacobBunn
