2011 College Football Preview: Part 1 - Pac 12

Greetings all... college football is a different beast than the NFL so we won't go as in-depth as far as team-by-team, but I'll be hitting all 6 power conferences as well as an all-encompassing small conference preview... let's start it off with the newly revamped Pac 12...

STANDINGS

North

1. Oregon (10-2) - The Ducks claim the top spot on the strength of their returning backfield... Darron Thomas and LaMichael James are back to form one of the better QB/RB combos in the country... the team speed is absurd, and that's still the case.... the big question? Replacing 5 starters in the front 7, but I still like them to only drop 1 conference game and take the North going away...
2. Stanford (9-3) - The Andrew Luck roadshow... we all know about how good this guy is and he's back for another crack at it in college... they've lost some significant talent on defense, but with Luck and the power run game, I like them.. They're also set-up with All-conference level guys at each of the 3 levels on defense, and that could be a nice unit...
3. Oregon State (7-5) - Always, always, always underrated... James Rodgers is returning from injury to lead the offense, and they return their QB in Ryan Katz... Mike Riley always has them ready, and when in doubt? I take him over Jeff Tedford... which means...
4. Cal (6-6) - Cal lands here... probably more talented than OSU? Sure... but remember, Cal does this... they lose Kevin Riley at QB and although he was much-maligned, they don't have a proven option behind him... looks like it'll be Zach Maynard.... the running game seems to always work in Berkeley with the likes of Lynch, Arrington, and Best having come through recently, but they lose another 1,000 yard back in Shane Vereen and have to replace him...
5. Washington (5-7) - No Jake Locker... but Sarkisian has recruited pretty well... they won't take too big a step back...
6. Washington State (2-10) - Putrid...

South

1. USC (10-2) - People always forget them because they are banned from postseason... but they still have USC talent... Matt Barkley is the best QB you never hear from (see reason above) and he's got an elite WR in Robert Woods... loaded roster...
2. Arizona State (9-3) - Brock Osweiler takes the helm at QB from Threet (the Michigan transfer had to retire due to health concerns), but Noel Mazzone's offense works... and it'll continue to do so... the issue is always on D for the Sun Devils, but they return the conference freshman of the year on D, and 9 starters... good signs...
3. Utah (7-5) - they get the nod over UCLA because Norm Chow changed sides....
4. UCLA (6-6) - See above...
5. Arizona (6-6) - I'm surprised to list them this low with their "big 3" on offense returning led by Nick Foles... but they lose the entire O-line and the defense was decimated as well...
6. Colorado (4-9) - They've scrapped the Dan Hawkins spread attack... but the personnel won't match in year 1 (trust me, I'm a Michigan fan)... good luck to the Buffs...

AWARDS

• Offensive POY - Andrew Luck, QB Stanford
• Defensive POY - Cliff Harris, CB Oregon
• Coach of the Year - Mike Riley, Oregon State

CHAMPS

• Oregon over Arizona State in the Title Game

Enjoy... and stay tuned for Part 2