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The excitement of college football is once again upon us, and the Pac-12 is in for what is most likely its final season. As many as eight schools are projected to depart the conference after this year, and the once-historic rivalries many have grown to love will cease to exist. This year promises thrilling matchups, jaw-dropping plays, and intense rivalries as teams vie for supremacy in this dynamic last hurrah.
As fans gear up to witness the unfolding drama, we delve into some early-season power rankings that forecast the contenders, dark horses, and potential game-changers that will shape the narrative of this year's Pac-12 journey. From the storied programs to the up-and-coming challengers, the rankings set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable finale of Pac-12 football as we know it.
In the final College Football Playoff Rankings last year, six teams were represented by the Pac-12, and many of the players who helped those teams get there will return. The Pac-12 boasts many of the top quarterbacks in the nation. Talent such as Caleb Williams, Cameron Rising, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr., & Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei are just a few of the rising stars. Without further ado, here are the rankings:
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12. Stanford Cardinal
The Cardinals were an abysmal 3-9 in 2022, and return most of the same team from last year. Even though they have another year of experience under their belt, any wins against any of the other Pac-12 teams would be a major surprise, as the other teams are quite simply just better. Stanford could pick up 2-3 wins in non-conference play, but other than that don’t project to have much success.
11. Colorado Buffaloes
It’s Coach Prime’s time. Deion Sanders secured an astounding 53 players in the transfer portal and is looking to rebuild the program. While he was able to bring in many new guys, most of them are quite young, so it remains to be seen if these transfers will contribute right away. If they do, this team could surprise a lot of people, and based on Sanders’ resume from Jackson State, it wouldn’t be a shock.
However, chances are good this will be a transition year, as the odds of winning against many of the other teams in the conference are low. With that said, anything is possible, and at least most of the games will probably be a sellout.
10. Cal Golden Bears
After going 4-8 in 2022, rumors are swirling that this might be head coach Justin Wilcox’s swan song. Wilcox was supposed to be the guy who turned the program around, but after seven years, it appears as if they are going backward. With that said, there are some good pieces in place.
Quarterback Sam Jackson V is another in the long line of solid quarterbacks in the Pac-12, and his play will make a difference in how the Bears do this year. Assuming he plays well and the defense returns to form, a .500 season is doable. Their schedule this year is absolutely brutal though, so they’d need to get off to a solid start to have any hope of success.
9. Arizona State Sun Devils
New head coach Kenny Dillingham will look to his whopping 33 transfers to help rebuild this program. The defense gave up over 31 points per game last year, and that area will be one the coach will look to improve. After their worst season in modern history, expectations are low.
However, they have 8 home games to begin the year, and if just half of those go right, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them being bowl-eligible at the end.
8. Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats return much of the same squad that beat the UCLA Bruins in the Rose Bowl last year. Not only do they return many of the same starters, but they agreed to a contract extension with head coach Jeff Fisch, who has turned the program around in just two seasons.
With one of the best passing attacks in the nation and an improving defense, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for the Wildcats to finish above .500 after all is said and done.
7. Washington State Cougars
Another team with another very good transfer quarterback in Cameron Ward, the Cougars also added some talent on the defensive side of the ball through the transfer portal. While it remains to be seen if they added enough to improve a defense that was mediocre at best, this team may surprise some people.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility they start the season 3-0 as they don’t face their first real big test until Oregon State in Week 4.
6. UCLA Bruins
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson has graduated into the NFL, but this team still has a lot of talent. While much of the buzz surrounds the teams ahead of them, don’t be surprised if these Bruins end up near the top when all is said and done.
UCLA still has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, and quarterback Dante Moore could be a stud. Former Oregon coach Chip Kelly has a reputation for creativity in his offenses, and this year should be no exception.
5. Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State is one of those underrated teams that somehow always seems to come up big when we least expect them to. All but one of their starters on the offensive line returns, and they have steadily improved on the defensive side of the ball as well.
When you add in Clemson Transfer DJ Uiagalelei at quarterback, the Beavers suddenly look very dangerous and could easily make some noise. Should things gel for this team, they could easily end up Conference Champs.
4. Washington Huskies
Michael Penix Jr. is back to help lead last year’s number two nationally ranked offense into prominence once again. Very quietly the Huskies boasted an 11-2 record last year, and almost all of those pieces return. The Huskies also boast a solid defense and with home games scheduled against both Oregon and Utah, could easily end up as the top team in the conference.
3. Oregon Ducks
Bo “knows” football. Led by outstanding quarterback Bo Nix, the Ducks return an imposing football team. Nix is being promoted as a potential Heisman winner, and if he can lead the Ducks to a solid season, he will definitely find himself in the running.
Currently, the Ducks are ranked #15 overall, and they have a legitimate chance to outdo that rating this year. If they do, watch out.
2. Utah Utes
Don’t look now, but the Utes are poised to keep “Rising” as the season goes along. They have three studs in quarterback Cameron Rising, tight-end Brant Kuithe, & running back Ja’Quinden Jackson. With a nasty defense and an elite offensive line, Utah is poised to make some noise.
There’s a reason why they’re beginning the season ranked #14 overall, and even if they lose the early season matchups against Florida and Baylor, this is currently a team on the rise. It's worth noting rising might be out for the first few games of 2023 after he suffered a torn ACL last season.
1. USC Trojans
Led by potential Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, the Trojans are poised to have a great year. Their offense with Williams will be in more games than not, and even though the conference itself has many other talented quarterbacks, Williams figures to be the best of the bunch.
He may have to be since the main weakness on this team is on the defensive side of the ball. The Trojans are 1-0 so far in the young season after beating San Jose State, and they do have a favorable schedule coming up, so the odds of them making a CFP run are good.
The Pac-12 conference is a cauldron of football excellence, a melting pot of skill, strategy, and unwavering passion. As the 2023 season beckons, the race for dominance in this fiercely contested conference intensifies. Our comprehensive Pac-12 Power Rankings provided an insightful glimpse into the teams' strengths, off-season overhauls, and the breakout players poised to make headlines. From the storied programs to the up-and-coming challengers, the rankings set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable final season of Pac-12 college football.
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