College Football: 2018 Saturday Blitz staff season projections

Pac-12

Champion: Washington

South: USC

It took a long while for someone to convince Chris Petersen the timing was right to leave Boise State for greener pastures. Petersen has turned that opportunity into reality, quietly assembling an elite team in Seattle which is already in the exclusive company of College Football Playoff participants.

The quarterback for that 2016 Playoff squad, Jake Browning, returns for one final season at the helm of the Huskies’ as does senior running back Myles Gaskin. Those two will be the engine that drives a Washington offense that took a step back last season with the departure of superstar receiver John Ross.

The defense will be Washingtons’ bread and butter. 11 different defenders registered at least one interception a year ago – that spells trouble for whoever comes out of the Pac-12 South.

USC and Clay Helton are the favorites to win the Pac-12’s other division. Outside of a miracle run by Khalil Tate in Kevin Sumlin‘s spread attack or the sudden emergence of the UCLA Bruins under Chip Kelly, the Trojans look to be out in front of their division by a good margin entering the season.

One more thing

USC is poised to start true freshman J.T. Daniels at quarterback in 2018. A division title is a high bar for any first-time starter. On paper, USC has the advantage, but that depends on how quickly Daniels can adjust to the college game.