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Pac-12 Football Power Rankings: Week 1 edition

By George Wrighster III

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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EUGENE, OR – NOVEMBER 12: Running back Royce Freeman #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR – NOVEMBER 12: Running back Royce Freeman #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Last year, this team shocked the world. At one point, the Buffaloes were ranking No. 8 in the country. Most of their success was due to a dominant defense. Their defensive coordinator from last year, Jim Leavitt, is now coaching the Oregon defense. Sophomore Quarterback Steven Montez showed signs of promise in 2016 when he filled in for the injured Sefo Luifau. The Buffaloes will need him to come up big to return to a Bowl game.

Can Josh Rosen put his cape back on and return to “Chosen Rosen” form? The Bruins hope last season was an outlier. As for now, they are a middle of the Pac team. You see what I did there? Pac. Get it? Jim Mora is in a make or break season in Westwood. The Bruins need to play in the Pac-12 championship game to restore confidence in the direction the program is heading.

The Ducks have more questions surrounding them this season than any of the previous 10 combined. New head coach Willie Taggart has a lot of offensive talent on the roster, but the defense will need a dramatic improvement to be competitive. This team could finish anywhere from first to eighth in the conference.

The likelihood of Stanford finishing anywhere other than top three in the conference is low. However, starting Keller Chryst may not be ready for the season opener. The Cardinal could struggle to start the season. As a result, David Shaw will have to do one of his best coaching jobs to help Stanford win the Pac-12 North.

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