2 reasons Oregon can win the Pac-12 championship this year

1. Mario Cristobal has recruited like an SEC powerhouse

In as simple terms as possible, Oregon has better players than any other program in the Pac-12. This is entirely on Cristobal and his coaching staff taking full advantage of USC being down as a program. The Ducks are recruiting California spectacularly, and it shows. Oregon is recruiting the West Coast like any SEC program of note would do in the Southeastern region.

Since taking over for Willie Taggart full-time in 2018, Oregon has never been worse than second in Pac-12 recruiting or No. 13 nationally. The Ducks have had the best recruiting class in the Pac-12 each of the last three seasons and have finished inside of the top 10 nationally twice, including No. 6 overall in 2021. This is how to get superstar playmakers like Kayvon Thibodeaux to Eugene.

Ultimately, Oregon will have that extra gear that other high-quality teams in the Pac-12 like Arizona State, USC, Utah and Washington simply cannot get to. Frankly, if the Ducks have a strong offense this season, they can theoretically hold their own with some of the best programs that could make the playoff. Oregon has built itself to win the Pac-12 and make the four-team field.

Even if the Ducks may not have the best quarterback in the Pac-12 this year, they have the roster and the conference schedule to get to 8-1 or better. If they can get to Las Vegas at 11-1 on the year and beat the Pac-12 South champion, it might be enough to get back into the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2014, especially if Oregon does shock Ohio State in Columbus.

Making the playoff will be challenging, but winning the Pac-12 once again has to happen first.

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