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Pac-12 football 2018 season preview: Breakout stars, biggest games, predictions

By Charles Rahrig V

PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal runs with the ball against the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal runs with the ball against the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies looks on from the sidelines during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies looks on from the sidelines during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Coach of the Year: Chris Petersen – Washington

It might be the easiest and most obvious answer, but if the Washington Huskies are conference champions and in contention to make the College Football Playoff, Chris Petersen is the man to win Coach of the Year in the Pac-12 Conference.

Petersen has been the national coach of the year twice in his career because of the work he has done with Boise State and he could be in contention for that award as well again this year when it’s all said and done.

Other choices for this award include Kevin Sumlin if Arizona takes off under him in his first year, Justin Wilcox at Cal and it will be interesting to follow Chip Kelly’s first season with the UCLA Bruins.

Still, this seems like Petersen’s year in the Pac-12 going into things. He knows how to get to the big stage and more importantly, get back and that’s what the Huskies are looking to do this season.

Keep an eye on Mario Cristobal at Oregon as well. With Justin Herbert under center and an offense that can put up points, the Ducks should be a strong player in the conference after Willie Taggart departed the program.