The PAC 12 is a Conference that emphasizes speed, quickness, talent, and skill, in Sully’s CFP view, all true! Yet, the national perception of the league is that, while it has these attributes in abundance, it lacks the toughness to compete with the “Big Boys of the Mighty SEC”! Given the history of USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon & Stanford of late, this perspective just seems wrong. Yet, other than against the Big Ten (and even then, Oregon lost to Ohio State, 26-17 in the 2010 Rose Bowl & Stanford barely survived, the 3rd place team in the Leaders Division, Wisconsin, 20-14, in the 2013 Rose Bowl) the PAC 12, while competitive, has faltered on big stages in recent years.
Oregon stumbled in their two encounters with the Big Boys of SEC (forget Tennessee, I said “Big Boys”) losing to Auburn, 22-19, in the BCS Title game and being manhandled the following year, by LSU, 40-27 (Oregon scored a meaningless TD in the final seconds). PAC 12 Teams have also struggled (close… but lost) in games with the Big 12, USC losing to Texas, 41-38, in the BCS National Championship Game and Stanford falling to Oklahoma State, 41-38, a year ago in the Fiesta Bowl! The additions of Utah (Sully’s CFP thinks the Utes are not a good fit for the PAC 12, No question but that they belong in the Mountain West) & Colorado (a mystery as to why the Buff’s coaches can’t recruit better athletes to that campus) have not helped lessen the Conference’s national perception of being “soft’! This needs to be addressed on the field and done so in a timely manner!
One possible remedy, go back to 8 conference games (instead of 9 conference games, this now seems unlikely, with the Big 12 playing nine, the Big Ten going to 9 in 2016, and the SEC considering playing 9 … well… Saban wants to play nine) with PAC 12 Commissioner, Larry Scott, strongly encouraging league members to play 2 teams from BCS Conferences (with an emphasis on scheduling SEC & Big 12 clubs), 1 FBS opponent (85 scholarship programs, C-USA & MWC driven by geography) and 1 FCS (63 scholarship programs). Check the site for 2013 schedules to see who is playing this type of schedule, remembering, the PAC 12 plays 3 not 4, as recommended by Sully’s CFP, Non-conference games @ present!
That said… Let’s take a sneak peek @ 2013 in the PAC 12!
North Division:
California:
Non-Conference: Cal takes on 3 Non-Conference opponents, Sully’s CFP would like to see this number @ 4! That said, the Bears do have a challenging schedule with 2 BCS opponents, Ohio State & Northwestern from the Big Ten & one pay & beat opponent, Portland State, from the Big Sky. All three games are in Cal’s Memorial Stadium! YS Says 1-2, Cal falls to the Big Ten, the Bears have a new coach (Sonny Dykes) for the 2013 season and will take time to adjust; OS agrees, Cal goes 1-2, losing to both Big Ten teams, while hammering their Big Sky opponent, Portland State!
Divisional Games: Five divisional games, three on the road vs Oregon, Washington, & Stanford and two @ home vs Washington State & Oregon State. YS believes 2-3, the Bears win two at home vs WSU & OSU. OS says right on, 2-3, the Bears beat WSU & OSU @ home but fall in their three road trips.
North vs South: Four crossover Games, Cal will play @ UCLA & Colorado & host Arizona and SC. YS has the Bears @ 1-3 losing to both of the LA schools & Arizona; OS says not so fast my friend, 2-2, beat Colorado on the road and survive Arizona @ home, but fall at the LA Coliseum and Rose Bowl.
Overall: YS projects Cal 4-8, OS has the Bears @ 5-7 & attending an old-timers, Beach Boy, Concert over the Bowling / Holiday Season!
Oregon:
Non-Conference: The Ducks take on an SEC team, Tennessee, @ Home, an ACC opponent, Virginia, on the road & an FCS club, Nicholls State, from the Southland Conference, in Eugene! YS believes 3-0 is in the stars for the Ducks: OS: No question, the Ducks go 3-0 in their Non-Conference schedule.
Divisional Games: 5 Divisional contests, 3 @ home vs Cal, WSU, & OSU, and 2 away, Washington & Stanford. YS thinks 4-1, the Ducks fall to Stanford OS Agrees 4-1 …. Oregon goes down vs the Cardinal!
North vs South: In divisional crossover games; UO lines up against Colorado & Arizona on the road & UCLA & Utah @ home. YS thinks 3-1 losing to UCLA @ home : OS: No way do the Ducks fall to the Bruins! UO goes 4-0 vs the South!
Overall: YS: The Ducks fall at Stanford and are upset by the Bruins …. 10-2. OS: has Oregon at 11-1 in 2013 losing to only Stanford and heading to a BCS Bowl!
Oregon State:
Non-Conference: OSU does not play an AQ Conference Affiliate in 2013 (shame on them), in Sully’s CFP’s view, this is at the heart of PAC 12’s image of being soft, this type of scheduling, right or wrong, will continue to fuel this perception! They do play 2 Mountain West teams, Hawaii in Corvallis and San Deigo State on the road; they also line up against an FCS team, Eastern Washington @ home! YS: has the Beavers @ 3-0 & OS agrees, the Beavers chew these guys up, 3-0 in Non-Conference play.
Divisional Games: OSU takes on 5 divisional foes, Washington State, Cal & Oregon away from the friendly confines of Corvallis and hosts Stanford & Washington at Reser Stadium. YS predicts 2-3 beating WSU & Washington but falling to UO, Stanford, & Cal; OS agrees, 2-3, The Beavers beat the Cougars on the road & the Huskies @ home.
North vs South: OSU vs the South Division, Utah & ASU away from home and welcomes Colorado & USC to Corvallis! YS: 2-2 losing to ASU & USC, OS: Ditto, OSU goes 2-2 in cross-divisional games, prevailing against Utah on the road and Colorado @ home!
Overall: YS: says 7-5 losing 5 of 9 PAC 12 games, while OS agrees, 7-5 and like YS has the Beavers participating in the 2013 Bowling Season!
Stanford:
Non-Conference: The Cardinal play ND & San Jose State at home and Army @ West Point! YS thinks 2-1, no revenge vs the Irish, down go the Cardinal, Again! OS thinks Yap, Stanford goes 2-1, beating SJSU & Army but falling to the Irish (& by the way, Stepfan Taylor’s elbow was down … NO TD … go to the Blog page, select category FBS Independents, ND 42, Sully’s College Football Rap-up week 7 & see for your self).
Divisional Games: Stanford plays 3 of its 5 divisional games at home, Washington, Oregon, & Cal and WSU & OSU in their respective arenas. YS: Stanford marches through its divisional games, winning all five, OS agrees, the Cardinal goes 5-0 in the North Division, beating Oregon @ home, in the North Division game of the year!.
North vs South: In their walk-over games, Stanford plays Utah & SC away and ASU & UCLA at home. YS believes 2-2, predicts Stanford will struggle in cross-divisional contests, losing to both LA schools, UCLA stuns the Cardinal in Stanford Stadium & SC ends Stanford dominance in their series. OS believes 3-1, losing only to USC, in the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Overall: YS: has Stanford @ 9-3 in 2013, losing to the LA schools & ND. OS thinks Stanford finishes the season @ 10-2 losing to only ND & SC!
Washington:
Non-Conference: The Huskies take on the Illini from the Big Ten, Boise State from the Mountain West, & Idaho State from the Big Sky. YS believes the Huskies are up to the challenge and win all three (3-0) Non-Conference games! OS: Washington goes 2-1 in Non-Conference play, beating Illinois (the Illini have got to be better, but still will not be very good) & Idaho State (an FCS Team), but falling @ home to Boise State.
Divisional Games: Washington plays Oregon, Cal & WSU @ home & OSU and Stanford on the road! YS believes 1-4 beating only WSU, while OS thinks 2-3, the Huskies beat Cal & WSU @ home but lose to OSU, Oregon, & Stanford!
North vs South: The Huskies host Arizona & Colorado and travel to ASU and UCLA. YS projects 2-2, losing to UCLA & ASU OS: Washington goes 2-2 in crossover games, beating Arizona & Colorado @ home but losing @ ASU & UCLA!
Overall: YS: Washington goes 3-6 in PAC 12 play, 3-0 in Non Conference and finishes the 2013 season @ 6-6; OS has Washington @ 6-6 (4-5 in PAC 12 play & 2-1 in Non-Conference play) Both YS & OS have the Huskies Bowling in the second season!
Washington State:
Non-Conference: In their 2013 Non-Conference schedule, the Cougars play @ Auburn, an SEC team, Idaho, an Independent, & a FCS team, Southern Utah, from the Big Sky, both of these games are @ home! YS: WSU goes 2-1, losing only @ Auburn, OS agrees, WSU completes its Non-Conference schedule @ 2-1, losing to only the Tigers @ Jordan-Hare.
Divisional Games: WSU plays 3 of their 5 divisional games on the road, Cal, Oregon, & Washington and host Stanford & OSU. YS: Sees Mike Leach second year as a continuation of the rebuilding process for WSU, as they go 0-5 in the North Division. OS agrees, while Mike Leach’s team will be more competitive this season, the result will not show up in the win column, 0-5 in Divisional Play!
North vs South: The Cougars travel to USC & Arizona and welcome ASU & Utah to Pullman. YS: WSU goes 1-3 in Divisional Crossover games beating only Utah @ home. OS says ditto … WSU finishes @ 1-3 in cross-divisional battles, beating only the Utes.
Overall: YS believes WSU is home for the Holidays @ 3-9, OS says, right on, the Cougars go 3-9 in 2013… and are at home for the second season.
The North Division Rap-up:
Non-Conference Games:
YS: Oregon 3-0, OSU 3-0, Washington 3-0, Stanford 2-1, WSU 2-1, & Cal 1-2
OS: Oregon 3-0, OSU 3-0, Stanford 2-1, Washington 2-1, WSU 2-1, & Cal 1-2!
The North Division vs Non-Conference Opponents;
YS: 14-4 & OS: 13-5
Divisional Games:
YS: Stanford 5-0, Oregon 4-1, Cal 3-2 OSU 2-3, Washington 1-4, & WSU 0-5
OS: Stanford 5-0, Oregon 4-1, OSU 3-2 Washington 2-3, Cal 2-3, & WSU 0-5
North vs South:
YS: Oregon 3-1, Stanford 2-2, OSU 2-2, Washington 2-2, Cal 1-3, & WSU 1-3
OS: Oregon 4-0, Stanford 3-1, OSU 2-2, Washington 2-2, Cal 2-2, & WSU 1-3
North vs South:
YS: 11-13 & OS: 14-10
Conference Record:
YS: Stanford 7-2, Oregon 7-2, OSU 4-5, Cal 3-6, Washington 3-6, WSU 1-8
OS: Stanford 8-1, Oregon 8-1, OSU 5-4, Washington 4-5, Cal 4-5, WSU 1-8
Overall Record:
YS: Oregon 10-2, Stanford 9-3, OSU 7-5, Washington 6-6, Cal 5-7, & WSU 3-9
OS: Oregon 11-1, Stanford 10-2, OSU 8-4, Washington 6-6, Cal 5-7, & WSU 3-9
YS & OS: Since the Conference not the Overall record determines the PAC 12 North Division Champ and both YS & OS have Stanford beating Oregon in their respective scenarios …. Stanford wins the PAC 12, North Division and advances to the championship game.
South Division:
Arizona:
Non-Conference: The Wildcats do not play a BCS Conference Affiliate … not the best approach to toughing up your program. That said, the Cats play one FCS opponent, Northern Arizona (Big Sky) & UTSA (Sun Belt) @ home and travel to UNLV (Mountain West)! YS says 3-0, this Non-Conference schedule is extremely weak and the Wildcats should emerge unscathed. Meanwhile, OS believes the Wildcats prowl right through this light-weight Non-Conference schedule with 3 wins to 0 losses.
Divisional Games: Three of Arizona’s divisional games are on the road, USC, Colorado, & ASU, while the Cats welcome Utah & UCLA to Tucson. YS predicts a 2-3 divisional slate for the Cats, as they beat both Colorado & Utah. OS: says 3-2, The Wildcats handle Colorado in Boulder and Utah & UCLA @ home.
South vs North: Four Crossover Divisional Games, Arizona travels to Washington & Cal and hosts Oregon & WSU. YS: says Arizona goes 2-2 in their cross-over games, beating Cal & WSU OS: says ditto, 2-2, The Cats find a way against Cal on the road and beat WSU @ home. but fall at Washington in Seattle & to Oregon in Eugene.
Overall: YS: says 7-5 for the Cats while OS thinks 8-4 in 2013. In either case, Arizona is playing in a bowl game.
Arizona State:
Non-Conference: ASU takes on two BCS opponents, Wisconsin @ home & ND in South Bend, and one FCS team, Sacramento, in Tempe, at Sun Devil Stadium. YS says 2-1, beating the Badgers & Sacramento, but falling to ND, while OS thinks 2-1, win both home games but fall to the Irish on the road.
Divisional Games: The Sun Devils play USC, Colorado, & Arizona @ home and hit the trail, to take on Utah & UCLA. YS predicts 4-1, losing to olny to USC, meanwhile, OS believes, 3-2, losing at home to the Trojans and on the road to the Bruins.
South vs North: ASU avoids Oregon in their conference crossover games, a good thing …. but the Devils have to travel to Stanford …. a bad thing! They also take on WSU on the road and host, Washington & OSU in Tempe. YS projects 3-1 ASU beats Washington, WSU, OSU. OS’s crystal ball agrees, ASU finishes @ 3-1 vs the North, beating the Washington schools & OSU while falling to Stanford.
Overall: YS: Think’s 9-3 in 2013 while OS: believes 8-4 and both YS & OS agree it is on the second season for the Devils!
Colorado:
Non-Conference: The Buffs do not take on an BCS opponent in 2013, they play 2 MWC teams, Colorado State & Fresno State and one FCS team, Central Arkansas from the Southland Conference, all @ home. YS says, given how weak this schedule is, it is hard to see them losing a Non-Conference game in 2013 …. 3-0, OS think’s 2-1, that they are capable on losing one in Boulder, to an improving FSU!
Divisional Games: Colorado plays 3 of its 5 divisional games on the road, ASU, UCLA & Utah while hosting Arizona & USC. YS: 0-5, the Buffs have a new coach, not much talent or skill, & a lack of focus. OS: The Buffalo’s lose all five of these games. as this team is a work in progress for its new Head Coach, Mike MacIntyre.
South vs North: The Buffs play OSU & Washington away from home while welcoming Oregon and Cal to Folsom Field. YS believes there are no winnable games on this year’s divisional cross-over docket, 0-4; OS agrees 0-4 will be the result of the Buffs efforts in 2013 with CU trying to make the games competitive as they rebuild the program!
Overall: YS believes 3-9 in 2013 with all three wins coming vs Non-Conference Play; OS says 2-10 and home for the Holidays.
UCLA:
Non-Conference: Two FBS opponents at home, Nevada & New Mexico State and one BCS opponent, Nebraska, in Lincoln! YS pontificates 2-1 lose to the Huskers in Lincoln while OS babbles 2-1, the Bruins go down to the Big Ten & Nebraska.
Divisional Games: The UCLANS travel to Utah, Arizona & USC while hosting Colorado & ASU. YS proclaims 4-1 the Bruins lose only to ASU, OS thinks 3-2, UCLA beats Colorado & ASU @ home, Utah on the road, but fall to Arizona & USC in Tucson & LA.
South vs North: UCLA takes on Cal & Washington at home and travels to Stanford & Oregon in back to back weeks (Oct 19th & 26th). YS thinks 3-1 losing to only Stanford, while OS predicts 2-2, the Bruins will handle Cal & Washington @ home but falter on the road vs the Cardinal & Ducks!
Overall: YS: The Bruins will go 9-3 in 2013 while OS has the Bruins @ 7-5. In both predictions, the UCLANS are playing in the second season.
USC:
Non-Conference: There are two Catholic Universities playing @ the BCS/FBS level, Boston College & Notre Dame & SC is playing both of them, BC @ home & ND in South Bend. The Trojans play 13 not 12 games in 2013 and so take on 2 more Non-Conference opponents, Hawaii in Hawaii & San Jose State in the LA Coliseum. YS believes 3-1 OS, fall to Notre Dame in South Bend: OS says, not so fast my Friend, SC goes 4-0 in Non-Conference play, finding a way in South Bend!
Divisional Games: USC plays 3 of its 5 divisional games @ home, Arizona, Utah & UCLA all in the Coliseum! The Trojans will travel to ASU & Colorado in the 2013 season. YS has SC going 4-1, faltering at home vs UCLA, OS thinks, while SC depth is an issue,it is better than a year ago, as they, clearly, have talent and go 5-0 in Divisional Play!
South vs North: SC does not play Oregon this coming season, unless they are to hook up in the PAC 12 Championship Game. They do, however, play Stanford, who has beaten them 4 straight times. That is clearly bad news, the good news is they play them in LA! They also play WSU @ home and travel to OSU & Cal! YS says the Trojans go 4-0 in Cross-Divisional play vs the North; While OS believes 3-1, while they finally beat the Cardinal, the Trojans are upset @ Cal!
Overall: YS thinks 11-2 for SC in 2013, falling to UCLA & ND, while OS thinks USC goes 12-1, losing to only California!
Utah:
Non-Conference: The Utes do not line-up against a BCS opponent in their 2013 Non-Conference schedule! They take on Weber State (FCS/Big Sky) & Utah State (MWC) @ home & BYU (Independent) on the road in Provo! YS: thinks 2-1, BYU wins in Provo. OS preaches 2-1, as Utah falls to BYU in the game known as the “Holy War”!
Divisional Games: The Utes play 3 of their 5 Divisional contest in Salt Lake City! They welcome UCLA, ASU & Colorado to Rice Eccles Stadium, while traveling to LA (USC) & Tucson (Arizona)! YS explains 1-4 beats only hapless Colorado @ home. OS agrees / discusses why the Utes will go 1-4 in Divisional play, …. finding a way only against Colorado; it Utah is going to win in the PAC 12 the Utes will need to recruit a better brand of athlete!
South vs North: The Utes cross-division battles are @ Oregon & WSU and @ home vs OSU and UCLA YS Utah goes winless in cross-divisional games, OS concurs, says the Utes go 0-4 as Mike Leach’s team finds a way in Pullman.
Overall: YS: The Utes go 3-9 in the coming season OS agrees, 3-9 in 2013.
The South Division Rap-up:
Non-Conference Games:
YS: Colorado 3-0, Arizona 3-0, USC 3-1 (play 13 regular season games), ASU 2-1, UCLA 2-1, Utah 2-1.
OS: USC 4-0, Colorado 3-0, Arizona 3-0, ASU 2-1, UCLA 2-1, Utah 2-1,
The South Division vs Non-Conference Opponents:
YS: 15-4 & OS: 16-3
Divisional Games:
YS: USC 4-1, Arizona 2-3, ASU 4-1, Colorado 0-5, UCLA 4-1, & Utah 1-4
OS: USC 5-0, Arizona 3-2, ASU 3-2, Colorado 0-5, UCLA 3-2, & Utah 1-4
North vs South:
YS: Arizona 2-2, ASU 3-1, Colorado 0-4, UCLA 2-2, USC 4-0, & Utah 0-4
OS: Arizona 2-2, ASU 3-1, Colorado 0-4, UCLA 2-2, USC 3-1, & Utah 0-4
North vs South:
YS: 11-13 & OS: 10-14
Conference Record:
YS: USC 8-1, Arizona 4-5, ASU 7-2, Colorado 0-9 UCLA 6-3, & Utah 1-8
OS: USC 8-1, Arizona 5-4, ASU 6-3, Colorado 0-9, UCLA 5-4, & Utah 1-8
Overall Record:
YS: USC 11-2, Arizona 7-5 ASU 8-4, Colorado 3-9, UCLA 9-3, & Utah 3-9
OS: USC 12-1, Arizona 8-4 ASU 8-4, Colorado 2-10, UCLA 7-5, & Utah 3-9
YS & OS are in agreement, USC wins the South Division with an 8-1 record (YS has them losing once to UCLA, while OS has SC falling to Cal and their new coach, Sonny Dykes. This sets up a rematch, Stanford, North Division Champs vs SC for the PAC 12 Championship & a trip to the Rose Bowl! YS says this time David Shaw and the Cardinal have their way with the Trojans; OS agrees, SC’s limited depth catches up with them as Stanford hammers a tired & depleted USC team in the LA Memorial Coliseum! YS has Statford finishing the Regular Season @ 10-3 & USC @ 11-3 while OS thinks Stanford 11-2 & USC @ 12-2
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