Pac-12 Steps it Up

[Eric]

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9729454/sec-apologist-concedes-the-pac-12-year

It might be too early to say for certain, but the Pac-12 looks really, really good. They have filled the void the Big 12 left after last year as being the deepest conference. The Big 12 last year had tremendous QB play and tremendous skill players with no defense. I think this allowed for anybody on any given day to provide a test. Kansas was the only weak team out of 10 last year.

Now for the Pac-12 in 2013, it appears that Colorado or Cal could be the weakest link, and they don't even look terrible. Cal will have an offense that can move the football under Sonny Dykes which should give them a chance. Colorado already has two wins which I believe matches last year's total and they look much more competitive. Wazzu has a defense. Washington has a defense and a stellar running game. Arizona is moving the ball offensively. Oregon State has definitely dropped off, but they look like a balanced team that should be good for the postseason. Oregon and Stanford look great, as expected.

I think the thing everybody is overlooking is the quality of coaching in the Pac-12. The coaching talent that they've gotten on board is insane. Todd Graham had tremendous success at Tulsa and Rice. Mike Leach is an offensive guru who should get Washington State's passing game into the next level in another year or so once he finds a true fit at QB. Coach Sark was a solid choice. Sonny Dykes is a great offensive mind judging from his stint at Louisiana Tech and his tutelage under Leach. Jim Mora's success came as a bit of a surprise for me, but he looks like a good fit at the collegiate level. David Shaw looks like a star at Stanford. And even as a Michigan fan, I recognize that Rodriguez is a very good offensive coach.

I believe this could be the end of an era for the Pac-12. USC has fallen off the map under Kiffin, at least offensively. They can still recruit, but Kiffin will set this program back if he coaches beyond this year. I think Mark Helfrich still remains a question mark. The jury will be out on him for a couple years once Kelly's residual effect on the program gets weaker and weaker by the year. I would expect this decade to belong to a smorgasbord of teams, similar to the 90's, where just about everybody in the conference has their day in the sun. They all have great coaching staffs except for USC, so I don't think any one team will become dominant.

[Spence]

I agree that the Pac-12 teams look very good. Especially Oregon and Stanford. They are building lines and defenses. They have skill players, but it isn't entirely about them. They are developing lines like the Carroll USC teams. That is the key to winning on a natioinal level. I think they will come to be very, very good. I don't know that RichRod will ever get the mentality that is takes to build a complete team, but most in the PAC 12 get it.

[donovan]

In the end, The PAC 12 Sucked, no exceptions.

[Old Ducker]

Eric, why would you post an article that is clearly months old? The PAC 12 has a respectable bowl record, and I am giddy that Furd lost to Sparty. Next year Oregon hosts both MSU and Stanfurd at Autzen.

[billybud]

Because he posted this back in September...months ago...

Got to read it I context....In September,

[donovan]

Eric, why would you post an article that is clearly months old? The PAC 12 has a respectable bowl record, and I am giddy that Furd lost to Sparty. Next year Oregon hosts both MSU and Stanfurd at Autzen.

This was posted pre season. I revived it because I personally do not think the PAC 12 represented itself well this year, no so much in the bowls, certain schools did fine, certainly the Oregon schools, but I thought the season was disappointing. I have supported the PAC whatever it is now since it was the PAC 8. I watched the Renforo Brothers when they were at Jefferson High School in the 50's, both Mel and Raye. Mel when he was at the U of O. Those were the glory days. Prothro at OSU, Casanova at U of O. Always competitive and didn't worry about anyone but those 8 teams and the one from the Big 10 at the Rose Bowl. I live in the past...don't like the present and have very little hope for the future....but that is where I am at. I even liked watching Pacific University Boxer who were coached by Paul Stagg for years, Alonzo's son. Anyway. That is how I see it. I think we need to go back to loyalty to the institutions and stop the insanity that instant gratification is not instant enough.

[Old Ducker]

Because he posted this back in September...months ago...

Got to read it I context....In September,

You see? This is my problem with the internetz. I always hit the "send" button too soon.