This is going to be a very interesting year in the Pac 12 with Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, Arizona State and I'll throw in Southern Cal because I think the Trojans will be the surprise team in the conference all fighting it out each week.
Who knows...maybe California and Colorado will jump up and bite a team or two this season they're not supposed to.
Sure it's possible that any one of the teams you mentioned will emerge relatively unscathed this year with a reasonable shot at all the glory. I know you are pretty high on the Trojans. To be honest, I can't bring myself to get behind Sarkisian, though I think you are aware of my opinion of USC, Sark... the rest of their cause this year. I fully back USC where the focus is on Reggie Bush related issues and especially the filthy way the NCAA's investigation set up Todd McNair to be their fall guy in spite of his innocence. They used him because they needed someone to point at to make it possible to hang the Trojans with major sanctions.
OK, enough of that... back on point. USC's major weakness, their Achilles heel that has hounded them for much too long is the injury bug on defense. Casualties are already starting to mount up and it's just July! Their DL is woefully thin with just one player good enough to mention. That would be their all-American DE Leonard Williams but they just lost promising RS Fr. DT Kenny Bigelow for the year in a non-contact workout just this past week. On top of all this, the Trojans are on their 3rd DC in 3 years even if he is Justin Wilcox who is best known working for Chris Petersen at Boise. That is a lot for USC's defensive roster to absorb and get on the ball, but the ingredients will be there within the next year or two. Though they may lack experience, they are talent rich with quite a few well-known assets on the roster. I think if their QB Cody Kessler can step his game up a notch or two, they will be tough to beat. Their offense is loaded and their defense is full of speed.
Now about those 2 teams you mentioned that might win a game or two they shouldn't. I've already made myself known about Sonny Dykes and how he rates among Pac-12 coaches... nicely stated, bringing up the rear. With all of the TV money floating around the conference, perhaps the Cal administration felt obligated to spend a little more money filling that position with a name brand individual when Tedford was fired. But IMHO, the Colorado Buffs got the better man on their side of the recent HC deals -- a hungry young coach named Mike MacIntyre, 49 who performed a few minor miracles of his own at San Jose State recently. The Buffaloes stole him right out from under Cal's nose. He is ideal for Colorado considering their current financial straights and recent lack of success. Nevertheless he's making $2.4 million this year which I believe is on the lower end in the conference. I am sure he will do well at Colorado. He is hungry and he is sharp.
