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A College Football Season Unlike Any Other in the Pac-12

By Michael Thompson

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 03: A general view of the PAC-12 trophy before the PAC-12 Football Championship football game between the Oregon Ducks and the Utah Utes at Allegiant Stadium on December 03, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 03: A general view of the PAC-12 trophy before the PAC-12 Football Championship football game between the Oregon Ducks and the Utah Utes at Allegiant Stadium on December 03, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 02: A detailed view of the Rose Bowl sign is seen on the stadium prior to the 2023 Rose Bowl Game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Utah Utes at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 02: A detailed view of the Rose Bowl sign is seen on the stadium prior to the 2023 Rose Bowl Game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Utah Utes at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

An epic season is on the horizon

Throughout the season, I fully expect these five programs to dominate and put themselves all in a position to compete for some major trophies, but the conference goes deeper. Washington State could have easily won 10 games last season and should expect a major jump for QB Cam Ward as head coach Jake Dickert continues to build a strong program in Pullman. Chip Kelly loses his longtime QB in Dorian Thompson-Robinson but could be getting a talent upgrade as 5-star freshman QB Dante Moore decommitted from Oregon after Bo Nix’s decision to return, setting UCLA up for a nice reload.

This conference goes 8 deep with teams that I expect to see ranked at one point or another this season. If these teams can find a way to get through their non-conference slates mostly unscathed, we could see 5-6 teams ranked in the top 12 before they start to cannibalize each other. We will likely be watching the eventual #1 overall pick in next year’s NFL draft, likely 3 1st round quarterbacks playing their final college games, and maybe even multiple Heisman Trophy winners.

dark. Next. Spring College Football Playoff and Bowl Projections

Even if this is to be the end of what we have come to know and love about the Pac-12, it is going to be a fascinating and fantastic finish. Who will find themselves in Las Vegas, and who will find themselves potentially in Pasadena, playing not just for a Rose Bowl, but for a shot at a national championship?

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