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Final Pac-12 power rankings: How many teams actually had good years?

By Brad Weiss

PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) back to pass in the second quarter of a game against the UCLA Bruins played on October 6, 2018 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) back to pass in the second quarter of a game against the UCLA Bruins played on October 6, 2018 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Colorado USC
BOULDER, CO – OCTOBER 06: Laviska Shenault, Jr #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes carries the ball in the second quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field on October 6, 2018 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

The Colorado Buffaloes looked to be a team to beat to start the 2018 college football season, as they got out to a 5-0 start. Led by veteran quarterback Steven Montez, and do-everything wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado had their sights set on another Pac-12 title game under Mike MacIntyre, but the wheels fell off the wagon very quickly.

Colorado would end up losing seven straight to end the season, incredibly missing out on a bowl appearance after that fast start. While Shenault had a solid season, he did miss a bunch of time, and it really hurt what this team tried to do on offense. MacIntyre was let go during the season, clearing the way for Mel Tucker, who most recently was the defensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs to take over for the 2019 season.

At the start of the 2018 college football season, the Arizona Wildcats had a lot of buzz circling their program, especially with a potential Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback. Well, Khalil Tate did not have the kind of season that the experts were thinking he would, as he battled injuries, and inconsistent play and the Wildcats ended up missing out on a bowl game.

Running back JJ Taylor had a terrific season in the backfield for Arizona, rushing for over 1,400 yards while being named a first-team All-Pac-12 selection. Despite all the ups and downs, Arizona actually had a chance to make a bowl game, sitting at 5-5, but lost their last two games to finish the year at 5-7. Tate and Taylor are back for 2019, so you have to think at least a six-win season should be in the cards if they can stay healthy.

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