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Pac-12 Football 2017 preview

By Brad Weiss

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 02: Washington Huskies revel in the celebration during the Pac-12 Championship game between the Washington Huskies verses the Colorado Buffaloes on December 2, 2016 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 02: Washington Huskies revel in the celebration during the Pac-12 Championship game between the Washington Huskies verses the Colorado Buffaloes on December 2, 2016 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 15: USC Trojans Head Coach Clay Helton leads the team out to the USC spring football game on April 15, 2017, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 15: USC Trojans Head Coach Clay Helton leads the team out to the USC spring football game on April 15, 2017, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Conference Champions: USC Trojans

Surprise, surprise. The USC Trojans will take back the Pac-12 in 2017, beating the Washington Huskies in a classic Pac-12 Championship Game. In fact, the Trojans are so loaded heading into  the 2017 season, that they have to be considered a favorite to win the national title. They have arguably the best pure passer in college football in Sam Darnold, and with two All-Americans at least on defense, this team is primed to make this a special year.

We all know about Darnold, who threw for 31 touchdowns last season, but this team is also going to run the ball effectively. Ronald Jones II is a beast of a running back, and should have no problems racking up the yards this season.

This offense is going to put up points in bunches, and whether it is through the air, or on the ground, it is going to be hard to keep up with them for four quarters.

On defense, linebacker Cameron Smith is one of the best players in the country, and is going to have a special season on the inside of the USC defense. While the team did lose Adoree Jackson in their secondary, Iman Marshall may be the best cornerback in the country, so he will be able to slide right in and lead the back half of the Trojans defense.

USC also has some big bodies up front on both sides of the ball, making this the most complete team in the conference.

The 2017 college football season will see the Rise of Troy, with the USC Trojans winning the Pac-12, and entering the College Football Playoff. Darnold gave us a glimpse of what could be a very special career in 2016, and with a revamped defense, the Trojans are going to be tough on both sides of the ball.

Head coach Clay Helton made the right move going to Darnold last season, and it will yield even bigger dividends in year two.