The pre-spring version of the CFN 2021 rankings with a first look at all the Pac-12 teams.
2021 Pac-12 Rankings: North Pre-Spring
Pac-12 North
1. Oregon Ducks
Why To Be Happy: The team was supposed to need a year of seasoning, and it got it – and still won the Pac-12 title. Both Tyler Shough and Anthony Brown are back at quarterback, RB CJ Verdell and WR Jaylon Redd are returning, and the defense is loaded with DE Kayvon Thibodeaux and LB Noah Sewell leading the way.
What To Work On: The talent is there, the pieces are in place, and everything is set up to be amazing. Now the team has to play like it, and that means it has to lift the turnovers, generate a better pass rush, and be more consistent.
Bottom Line: It’s strange to win the Pac-12 Championship and be a disappointment, but that’s exactly what Oregon was. Years of recruiting upped the talent level, Mario Cristobal is locked into place, and everything is there to not just win another title, but to go to the CFP.
2. Washington Huskies
Why To Be Happy: Just about everyone is back on offense. WR Ty Jones is leaving for Fresno State, and a few quarterback options are done, but the attack is loaded with veterans. With the return of LB Ryan Bowman for another year, none defensive starters are projected to be back, too.
What To Work On: Can the Huskies generate more of a pass rush? They were able to get to the quarterback enough to be a bother, but they didn’t come up with a whole slew of tackles for loss. The veterans are there to do more, and …
Bottom Line: Jimmy Lake has a fantastic team returning after a solid first run – even if it was just four games. As long as Dylan Morris or Colorado State transfer Patrick O’Brien can shine at quarterback, the Dawgs have everything in place to win the North.
3. Stanford Cardinal
Why To Be Happy: After a fun and sneaky-good season, enough talent returns on offense to be okay. The quarterback situation has to be settled, and the O line needs to come up with a few replacements, but it’ll be fine. Most of the starters are back on the defensive back seven, DE Thomas Booker is back at one end, and there’s enough in place to make a push for the North.
What To Work On: The quarterback play has to be strong from the start. The defense has to get into the backfield more and the run D has to be a whole lot better, but it comes down to the QBs with Jack West and Tanner McKee battling it out to replace Davis Mills.
Bottom Line: David Shaw has another good team that will be even more competitive than the 2020 version as long as there aren’t any major injuries on the lines. However, there’s just enough missing to be a step behind Oregon and Washington.
4. Cal Golden Bears
Why To Be Happy: QB Chase Garbers is back for yet another year, the offensive line should be almost all back – depending on the configuration – and with Wisconsin RB Bradrick Shaw coming in, the skill spots should be a plus. Just enough experience is back on defense – helped by the return of LB Kuony Deng and S Elijah Hicks – to be even better.
What To Work On: The offensive line has to be a whole lot stronger. It allowed way too many plays in the backfield and the running game didn’t work for the Pac-12’s worst overall offense. There has to be more explosion.
Bottom Line: There aren’t a slew of major stars, but with Garbers returning along with the best skill parts yet in the Justin Wilcox era, there’s a chance to a big boost after a rough and disjointed year.
5. Oregon State Beavers
Why To Be Happy: If the Beavers can get the quarterback play right, there’s a whole lot to like about the offense. The line should be good, the receiving corps will be solid, and the defense is full of veterans even without CB Nahshon Wright and OLB Hamilcar Rashed.
What To Work On: The pass rush has to be better. The quarterback play will be front and center with the hope that Tristan Gebbia can be stronger, but the Beavers have to get into the backfield on a more consistent basis.
Bottom Line: There are just enough key parts gone to be a problem, and losing RB Jermar Jefferson is an issue, but head coach Jonathan Smith is putting together a solid program that should keep improving.
6. Washington State Cougars
Why To Be Happy: Did Nick Rolovich get his quarterback? Jarrett Guarantano is a veteran coming in from Tennessee with the skills to potentially take over right away in an already decent situation. With OTs Abraham Lucas and Liam Ryan returning for another year, Wazzu has a solid pair of bookends to work around.
What To Work On: The pass defense has to be a whole lot better. It was a small sample size, but the Cougars were last in the Pac-12 against the pass and didn’t come up with nearly enough third down stops.
Bottom Line: Throw in the return of RB Max Borghi and WR Renard Bell, and there are plenty of skill parts to make the O go. In a strong North, though, the defensive improvements this offseason are everything.
– 2021 Pre-Spring Pac-12 South
2021 Pac- 12 South Rankings: Pre-Spring 7-12
2021 Pac-12 Rankings: South Pre-Spring
Pac-12 South
1. Utah Utes
Why To Be Happy: All of a sudden, the quarterback situation is interesting with Baylor veteran Charlie Brewer coming in with a shot to take over right away. With the return of Nick Ford and Orlando Umana, all five starters are expected to return on the offensive front. The D line is deeper – and very big – LB Devin Lloyd coming back is huge, and all four starters should be back in the secondary.
What To Work On: The defense has to go back to form. It was okay in 2020, but it wasn’t the killer of the previous two seasons that helped lead the way to Pac-12 Championship appearances. There’s a whole lot of experience returning, but now the line has to rock again, the pass rush has to be great, and …
Bottom Line: The Utes will be more than fine on the lines. Throw in the addition of a high-level starter in Brewer to go along with the power up front, and all the makings are there for a run to a third Pac-12 title game in four years.
2. USC Trojans
Why To Be Happy: There’s still a whole lot of really, really good parts starting with Kedon Slovis back at quarterback and with Texas RB Keontay Ingram and WR KD Nixon transferring in. Even with Amon-Ra St. Brown taking off early for the NFL, the receiving corps is fantastic. But …
What To Work On: There are a whole slew of parts missing. Six underclassmen left early to the NFL as part of a wee bit of an overhaul. The offensive line has to be stronger, the team has to be far more consistent, and …
Bottom Line: This is still a talented enough team to get back to the Pac-12 Championship and actually win it this time. Last year’s version was loaded for a massive campaign after building things up, and if this one can replace the early parts right away, look out.
3. Arizona State Sun Devils
Why To Be Happy: This is when it should all kick in under Herm Edwards. He’s got the quarterback in Jayden Daniels, the receiving corps should be fine, and the defensive front and secondary have the potential to rise up to be among the Pac-12’s best.
What To Work On: The passing attack has to do even more even with Daniels back. The Sun Devils had the second-worst air attack in the Pac-12 – averaging fewer than 200 yards
Bottom Line: There’s a Prove It factor with the Sun Devils under Edwards, and there are plenty of holes to fill, but the starting 22 should be good enough to push for the South title with the right breaks.
4. UCLA Bruins
Why To Be Happy: There weren’t any underclassmen lost to the NFL, the losses in the transfer portal were minimal – and a net positive talent-wise with what’s coming in – and now there’s a real, live offensive line along with QB dorian Thompson-Robinson and plenty of skill stars. At least nine starters are expected to return on the defensive side.
What To Work On: The Bruins were 3-0 when allowing fewer than 20 points, and 0-4 when giving up more – it starts with the secondary. The pass rush was great the defense overall wasn’t all that bad, and the team was better, but there were too many issues on third downs.
Bottom Line: Can the Bruins finally break through and start winning all the close games? They battled well in a fun 2020, but they didn’t have the D to hold up in key moments. If the experience comes through, this could be the surprise team in the South.
5. Colorado Buffaloes
Why To Be Happy: This was a young team that returns a whole slew of key parts, starting with star RB Jarek Broussard behind four veteran offensive linemen. DT Mustafa Johnson is off to the NFL, but LB Nate Landman is back for a defense loaded with experience.
What To Work On: The passing game has to be more efficient and a whole lot stronger. WR KD Nixon is off to USC, but Tennessee transfer JT Shrout is coming in to battle with better Sam Noyer to do more to take the head off of Broussard.
Bottom Line: This was one of the bigger surprises of 2020 in Karl Dorrell’s first year, and the experience is there to potentially be even better. However, remember, the Buffs didn’t play USC, Oregon, or Arizona State and lost to Utah by 17.
6. Arizona Wildcats
Why To Be Happy: It’s a whole new era with Jedd Fisch taking over and making a big push for … defense? Arizona might quickly have a real, live D with four transfers coming in so far for that side – watch out for Western Michigan LB Treshaun Hayward. Fisch did a good job of keeping a slew of receivers from leaving, the O line is expected to be back, and …
What To Work On: Quarterback. Grant Gunnell is gone to Memphis and it’s going to be a battle to see who can make a push with Washington State transfer Gunner Cruz and USF’s Jordan McCloud each giving it a run.
Bottom Line: Give it a little bit, but Fisch could quickly appear to be a home run hire. The offense needs playmakers to emerge, but Step One is to make the defense totally miserable, and Fisch and his staff should be able to do that.
