2022 PAC 12 Predictions
Photo by Adam Carins from USA Today
Enjoy these next couple of years, because the PAC 12 as we know it is going away.
Thanks in large part to a horrible TV deal that meant nobody could actually watch, but also in part because USC and UCLA decided to leave for more money in the Big 10 (despite their underwhelming years being a big part of why people didn’t want to watch the PAC 12 as much whatever I’m not going to get into it (ok one more thing they are basically the 2008 wall street bankers of college football ok I’m definitely done now)).
Regardless, let’s just enjoy the next two seasons.
North
1. Washington Huskies
I’m going to take a risk and say the less talented team wins the division.
Washington was a very solid program under Chris Peterson, and remained a solid program recruiting wise.
Jimmy Lake, the old defensive coordinator then turned head coach, simply was not at the job. But we didn’t know that going in.
New coach Kalen DeBoer is. We know that he is.
And Washington still does have talent around him to build off of.
I’ll go the risky route.
2. Oregon Ducks
Oregon by all accounts is a better team than Washington.
But the Ducks also have a new head coach in the form of old Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning.
Now, is Dan Lanning a good coach? Sure! All the talent in the world can’t succeed if the coach is bad.
But we just discussed how Jimmy Lake didn’t translate into a good head coach, and I’m sorry but I feel like I could have succeeded with that Georgia defense last season.
Oregon will still be good, but the unknowns with Lanning lead me to lean towards UW.
3. Stanford Cardinal
Another risky pick, but Stanford recruits well and David Shaw is a very good coach.
The past few years haven’t been great for Stanford, but I have some serious, serious doubts that trend will continue.
I’ve seen too much of the opposite from David Shaw to think that.
4. Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State’s offense is very good, but their defense isn’t much to write home about.
5. California Golden Bears
Cal’s defense is very good, but their offense isn’t much to write home about.
Now, you may be wondering if you’ve read all my previews why I have them in this order.
After all, I’ve said multiple times that I trust a good defense more than a good offense.
So why do I have Oregon State finishing ahead of Cal?
Because I am a simple man and I like Beavers more than Bears.
6. Washington State Cougars
Despite having them finishing last, I do feel for Wazzu.
They were such a good story last year with head coach Nick Rolovich being fired midseason because he was scared of basic science and interim coach Jake Dickert taking over and leading Wazzu to a 7-6 season and a dominating win over Washington in the Apple Cup.
And that’s all great, but the recruiting class wasn’t very good and they don’t return many starters.
I think Dickert is the right guy for the job, but people should expect this year to be on the rougher side.
South
1. Utah Utes
Utah won the PAC 12 last season and this Utah team is even better with Cameron Rising returning.
Utah is the best team in the conference, and I don’t think it’s particularly close.
2. UCLA Bruins
Chip Kelly has his weapons on offense with Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Zach Charbonnet. The defense probably isn’t great, but that’s ok.
They’ll score at will.
3. USC Trojans
Speaking of teams who will likely score at will, the USC Trojans bring Lincoln Riley to Los Angeles, along with Oklahoma transfer Caleb Williams and Pitt transfer Jordan Addison.
But their defense is also bad! So I’ll go with a Bruins team with continuity over a year one USC team who is a mess defensively.
4. Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona State lost their quarterback, running back, two wide receivers, two offensive linemen and both coordinators.
In any other conference, ASU would likely be looking at dead last.
They should thank their lucky stars for the two schools below.
5. Arizona Wildcats
Arizona is horrendous.
6. Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado is also horrendous, but with worse recruiting than Arizona.
Which is a shame. Cause I really like Colorado.
PAC 12 Championship Game Prediction
Did you not read what I said earlier?
Utah is the best team in the conference, and it is not close.
Utah wins the PAC 12.
On Monday, it just means more…
