Pac-12 Power Rankings 2016: Pre-Week 1
By Brad Weiss
The 2016 college football season kicks off Friday, as California takes on Hawaii from Sydney, Australia. Here is the preseason power ranking for the Pac-12.
The Pac-12 is loaded once again in 2016, featuring arguably the best running back and quarterback in the nation. Of the 12 schools in the conference, ten have the ability to be .500 or better, and a few have the opportunity for a special season.
Last season, Stanford was the class of the conference. With a solid senior quarterback in Kevin Hogan, and Christian McCaffrey being a breakout star at running back, the Cardinal won the Pac-12 championship. After their 41-22 drubbing of the USC Trojans in the Pac-12 Championship Game, the Cardinal roasted the Iowa Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl, 45-16.
The Cardinal finished the year as the third-ranked team in the nation, and they will open up the 2016 season ranked eighth as per the AP Poll.
Four other Pac-12 teams are ranked in the top-25 to start the season, including Washington (14), UCLA (16), USC (20), and Oregon (24). Outside of the top-25, there are a few other schools that could make noise in the Pac-12 in 2016, including Utah and Washington State. Each conference has their share of bottom dwellers, but as seen every season, upsets are aplenty in college football.
The California Golden Bears will kick off the Pac-12 slate on Friday, as the team travels to Sydney, Australia to face Hawaii. The biggest test for a Pac-12 school in Week 1 belongs to USC, as they play the defending national champion, Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium, the home of e Dallas Cowboys.
The Oregon State Beavers were downright bad in 2015, ranking near the bottom of the nation in nearly all statistical categories. The 2016 season will likely be unkind to the program as well, as the team returns only ten starters from a year ago. The team does have some talent at the skills positions, but they are a long way away from competing in a tough Pac-12 North Division.
Second-year coach Gary Andersen has two new coordinators in 2016, as he tries to improve on a two-win season in his first year at the helm. Running back Ryan Nall should have a decent season in 2016, and playmaker Victor Bolden is one of the better receivers in the division. The Beavers had a revolving door at quarterback last season, so stability at the position will be key in 2016.
Prediction: Maybe three wins for the Beavers? It is tough to gauge how bad this team will be in 2016. They should improve a bit, which is why I am saying three wins, but it is going to be an uphill climb in each game. If someone can emerge at quarterback, they could sneak four wins out of the schedule.
The Colorado Buffaloes are going to struggle in 2016, and will likely finish last in the Pac-12 South Division. The big question mark is Sefo Liufau, who will need to play solid quarterback if Colorado is going win a single game in the conference. He is coming off of a Lisfranc foot fracture that ended his season early last year, so time will tell if he can lead this team or not.
Liufau will have a solid recruit in the backfield, as Beau Bisharat is the best running back prospect in the Mike MacIntyre era. On defense, the secondary may be the only bright spot, as Chidobe Awuzie could be an NFL cornerback one day. Teams will likely stay away from him, as the rest of the defense is suspect.
Prediction: The Buffaloes will be bad this year, and if Liufau does not perform, they may not win a game in the conference. Bisharat will have to get used to college ball right away, because he may have an extended workload as Colorado tries to find their identity. Should be a four-win season for Colorado, with two coming inside the conference.
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