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Pac-12 Football Spring Preview: 10 biggest questions and storylines

By Gabe Encinas

Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans during an NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated UCLA 40-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans during an NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated UCLA 40-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Britain Covey (18) runs after a catch as Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Viliami Moeakiola (28) defends during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah won 34-18. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Britain Covey (18) runs after a catch as Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Viliami Moeakiola (28) defends during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah won 34-18. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Will the Pac-12 South prove to be the best division in college football?

In 2014, the Pac-12 South was in the conversation as one of the toughest divisions in all of college football, rivaling the high and mighty SEC West. Heading into 2015, there were a lot of high hopes for all teams in the division. UCLA and USC are always competitive and in the hunt for the South, but the pressure was shifted more to Arizona, Arizona State and Utah, the three wild cards of the division.

Arizona was coming off a Pac-12 South Championship, Arizona State had already won the Pac-12 South once and Todd Graham had brought success back to Arizona State. Each and every year, you saw improvement out of Kyle Whittingham’s squad in Salt Lake. There’s also Colorado, who has slowly become competitive in the Pac-12 overall.

But in 2015, the Pac-12 South didn’t exactly meet their expectations.

For 2016, the race figures to be wide open for now. UCLA is losing quite a bit of talent to the NFL Draft, but bring back one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the conference. USC needs to replace Cody Kessler but has all the talent they need to win under Clay Helton.

Arizona is still trying to recover from injuries but will look to improve on their disappointing season. Arizona State could not keep some of their younger coaches and will need to respond. Meanwhile, Utah figures to be in decent shape but needs to find another workhorse like Devontae Booker.

Next: Does Brandon Dawkins take over at Arizona?

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