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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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Dec 26, 2015; El Paso, TX, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach celebrates with the trophy after the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Bowl Stadium. The Cougars won 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; El Paso, TX, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach celebrates with the trophy after the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Bowl Stadium. The Cougars won 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Was Washington State a fluke?

Mike Leach was on the hot seat entering the season. Their home opener loss to Portland State did the Cougars no favor. But then a few weeks later, Washington State went up to Oregon and downed the Ducks overtime. At the time, we thought it was the end of an era for Oregon, failing to keep their beak above the water life after Marcus Mariota.

While Oregon eventually rebounded from a sluggish start, we were watching the Cougars slowly make a run for the Pac-12 North title, whether we wanted to believe it or not.

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A missed field goal against Stanford kept the Cardinal on top of the division, but had that field goal gone through, the Cougars would have been atop the North. Of course, once Luke Falk went down things started going downhill as well, as seen the Apple Cup game, with the Huskies taking that one soundly.

Mike Leach might have turned the corner in the Pac-12 and can strike while the iron is hot, with Oregon having to replace yet another dynamic quarterback and re-live the growing pains, California will also have to replace their golden boy quarterback as well.

Washington is on the rise and Stanford figures to be coming for the top once again. But a couple of solid wins over the Pac-12 South and Washington State could be back in the hunt for a Pac-12 Championship.

Next: Can Oregon get back on top of the North?

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