Pac-12 Football 2016: Season preview and predictions

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November 14, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) scores a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Conference winner

It’s really hard to bet against a team like Stanford. They’re consistently proven and David Shaw has built the program into a playoff contender each season. Add in the fact that they have a Heisman Trophy candidate in Christian McCaffrey and the Cardinal have the best chance of any team in the Pac-12 to win the conference in 2016.

Sure, they lost Kevin Hogan and some other outstanding players to the draft, but Stanford has a great system in place where players are able to come in and make impacts when the others depart. That’s what they’re counting on this year and the Cardinal will get back to the Pac-12 Championship Game.

Oregon and Washington could give them a fight for the championship in the North, but neither has the level of talent that Stanford does. It’s McCaffrey’s year to do big things in college football and it’s hard to see anyone stopping them. They will likely meet one of the Los Angeles schools in the championship game and that’s where they will prevail once again.

Last year was just a preview of what Stanford can do. They have a tough schedule, but it will make them battle tested for it. McCaffrey will take it the rest of the way and make insane plays to put the Cardinal in the playoff conversation.