Photo credit: USC Football
While the fact that the PAC-12 Conference is just a few short weeks away from beginning what is sadly all but guaranteed to be it’s last season of existence is sure to continue to dominate headlines, there is actually still a number of other very intriguing storylines heading into this season.
Odds to Win 2023 Pac-12 Championship:
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- USC: +160
- Oregon: +325
- Washington: +475
- Utah: +500
- Oregon State: +750
- UCLA: +1600
- Washington State: +3500
- California: +8000
- Arizona: +10000
- Arizona State: +10000
- Colorado: +10000
- Stanford: +10000
While it the Conference looks likely to continue the trend from the past several seasons of being rather top-heavy; there are also several huge unknowns -due to big name players transferring, as well as a certain iconic and Legendary PRIMETIME performer gingerly patrolling the sidelines in Boulder- that could make this season’s swan song delightfully unpredictable; and yes, even some reasons for feel-good, “this is OUR year,” optimism.
Heading into the 2023 campaign, Caleb Williams and the USC Trojans have been pegged by most as the odds-on preseason favourites to capture the conference title. In Williams, the Trojans have the good fortune of last year’s Heisman Trophy winner returning to start at quarterback.
However, that being said, the Junior signal-caller from Washington, DC by way of the transfer portal via the University of Oklahoma might not even be the best QB in the a conference, as their or no less than 4 or maybe even 5 candidates to unseat him as the premier pivot in the erstwhile Pac-10 Conference.
University of Washington: Michael Pennix Jr.
Williams will be challenged for quarterback supremacy out west by University of Washington returning starter Michael Pennix Jr, Bo Nix at Oregon, and the Utah Utes’ Cam Rising. In fact, the case can be made by many that the PAC-12 is actually home to 4 of the top 6 QBs in the country this year.
That list will potentially be enhanced by a pair of high-profile transfers at upstart programs as well. Oregon State should see their production from the quarterback position bolstered by having incoming transfer DJ Uiagalelei, formerly of the Clemson Tigers, under center. All that being said, the one team that has without a doubt generated the highest interest of not high expectations has got to be the new-look Colorado Buffaloes.
University of Colorado will be put to test
With new Head Coach Deion “COACH PRIME” Sanders primed to begin his first season at the helm for the Buffs, optimism- and, high expectations- abounds in Boulder. Sanders has quite literally turned over virtually the entire roster, bringing several players with him from his last stop in the SWAC Conference at HBCU Jackson State University, including among them explosive two-way playmaker Travis Hunter; as well as famously, and boldly declaring that his son junior QB Shedeur Sanders was the team’s starter at his introductory meeting upon his initial arrival in Rockies.
While many including this author have agreed that this was for good reason, considering the lacklustre one-win season fans of CU suffered through last year at Folsom Field; the sky-high expectations could prove to be too lofty to realistically ascend to in Coach Prime’s first, and the Buffaloes last, season playing in the PAC-12. The best news of all, as always, is that the players and teams will sort it all out in the best way possible- on the field between the white lines. Here’s to a phenomenal final year for the legendary PAC-12 Conference.
