College Football Pac-12 Preview

Before the season kicks off, here’s how college football odds look in the Pac-12 conference.

Arizona Wildcats

• 2021 Record: 1-11
• 2021 Conference Record: 1-8
• Head Coach: Jedd Fisch
• Odds to Win Conference Title: +25000

Jedd Fisch’s first season did not go well. Arizona lost three more games compared to its last full season in 2019. However, Fisch has the Wildcats trending up with great recruiting.

In the 2022 recruiting class, Arizona landed three four-star recruits. According to 247 Sports, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan ranked 51st nationally, which gives the Wildcats their highest recruit in program history. Fisch’s class finished third in the Pac-12.

Moreover, nine transfers joined the program. Quarterback Jayden de Laura is the most important transfer. He threw for 2,798 yards with Washington State in his sophomore season.

WHAT. A. THROW.

Wow, Jayden de Laurapic.twitter.com/VgTDNLXAZR

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 30, 2021

Also, Jacob Cowing projects as a starting receiver following his 1,354-yard season at UTEP.

The sportsbook has Arizona’s win total at over/under three. The Wildcats could vastly improve in 2022.

Arizona State Sun Devils

• 2021 Record: 8-5
• 2021 Conference Record: 6-3
• Head Coach: Herm Edwards
• Odds to Win Conference Title: +3000

The Sun Devils are in store for a down year. Losing quarterback Jayden Daniels to LSU was a big blow. Over three seasons, Daniels started 29 games at ASU and totaled over 6,000 passing yards. Furthermore, linebacker Eric Gentry showed a lot of potential as a freshman. Gentry left, joining Pac-12 rival USC.

Senior defensive lineman Michael Matus was expected to start. However, he sustained a season-ending knee injury. The offseason has not been kind to Arizona State.

Herm Edwards added 14 transfers, but only a handful are expected to make big impacts. Quarterback Emory Jones comes from Florida, where he had a mediocre 2021 season as a first-time starter. Wide receiver Cam Johnson projects to start, but he has never reached 600 receiving yards in a season.

Arizona State is a makeshift team expected to finish toward the bottom of the Pac-12. College football lines have the Sun Devils at over/under six wins. This seems like an easy pick.

California Golden Bears

• 2021 Record: 5-7
• 2021 Conference Record: 4-5
• Head Coach: Justin Wilcox
• Odds to Win Conference Title: +5000

Following a five-win season, California projects to hover around .500 yet again. The sportsbook has the Bears’ projected win total at 5½. Two major transfers were added in the offseason.

Linebacker Jackson Sirmon comes from Washington; he had 91 tackles in 2021. Sirmon will be a leader of the Golden Bears’ defense. After backing up Aidan O’Connell at Purdue, quarterback Jack Plummer joins California. Plummer appeared in 17 games with the Boilermakers. At times, he showed a lot of promise, like in his 420-yard game against Maryland in 2019.

Overall, California still has plenty of concerns. If Plummer can play above expectations, the Bears will surprise. More than likely, Plummer will be about the same level as 2021’s starting QB, Chase Garbers.

Colorado Buffaloes

• 2021 Record: 4-8
• 2021 Conference Record: 3-6
• Head Coach: Karl Dorrell
• Odds to Win Conference Title: +25000

The Colorado program is a work in progress. The double-digit win season in 2016 is long gone. Since then, the Buffaloes have not totaled more than five wins in a season. Can Colorado turn it around in 2022?

The offense must make major strides. Last season, the Buffaloes had one of college football’s worst offenses, ranking 121st in points per game (17.3). After transferring from Tennessee, J.T. Shrout has yet to play for Colorado. He had a season-ending injury in 2021. If healthy, Shrout could change the Buffaloes’ offense.

R.J. Sneed was the most important transfer added. The former Baylor Bear comes off three consecutive seasons with over 400 receiving yards. Colorado’s 2022 success hinges on QB play and an improved pass rush.

Oregon Ducks

• 2021 Record: 10-4
• 2021 Conference Record: 7-2
• Head Coach: Dan Lanning
• Odds to Win Conference Title: +275

After Mario Cristobal left for Miami, Oregon’s future looked grim. The Ducks had a disappointing 2021 season. At one point, they were competing for a playoff spot, but Oregon collapsed twice against Utah at the end of the season.

Then, the Ducks hired one of college football’s bright defensive minds in Dan Lanning, who was previously Georgia’s defensive coordinator. Oregon projects as one of the Pac-12’s three best teams. Oregon lost plenty of talent, like Kayvon Thibodeaux and Travis Dye. However, Lanning did well to prevent other key pieces from leaving, and talent was added through the transfer portal.

Noah Sewell is the best player on the roster. After finishing with 114 tackles in 2021, Sewell is expected to be the country’s best linebacker. In addition, linebacker Justin Flowe returns from a season-ending injury. If Flowe stays healthy, he has sky-high potential. Bo Nix will likely start at QB after transferring from Auburn. A fresh start could be good for Nix. He has always shown good potential, but the consistency has not been there.

Oregon will have a formidable defense, but will the offense be good enough to win big games? The Ducks are the third choice to win the Pac-12 with an 8½ win total.

Oregon State Beavers

• 2021 Record: 7-6
• 2021 Conference Record: 5-4
• Head Coach: Jonathan Smith
• Odds to Win Conference Title: +2800

Last season, Jonathan Smith continued Oregon State’s rebuild. The Beavers took a huge step forward with an above .500 record, which was the first time since 2013.

For the most part, OSU will rely on returning contributors. Super senior wideout Tre’Shaun Harrison will need a big jump in production. He figures to slide into the Beavers’ No. 1 receiver role. Three starters on the offensive line return. Chance Nolan, the 2021 starter, and Tristan Gebbia are battling to start at QB. Nolan is in the driver’s seat after totaling over 2,500 passing yards last season. Running back Damien Martinez could be the biggest new addition. The true freshman three-star recruit has a great chance of starting.

The Beavers must improve on defense. This was one of the Pac-12’s worst units in 2021. Overall, Oregon State is far away from competing for the Pac-12. Finishing with a .500 record or better would be a win. The Beavers are capable with a 6 ½ win total from betting lines.

Stanford Cardinal

• 2021 Record: 3-9
• 2021 Conference Record: 2-7
• Head Coach: David Shaw
• Odds to Win Conference Title: +8000

This is David Shaw’s last chance. Among coaches on the hot seat, Shaw is under enormous pressure. Stanford’s 3-9 2022 record was the worst since a 1-11 finish in 2006. The Cardinal have too much talent to play this poorly. It’s incredible what Shaw has done at Stanford, but that seems to be over.

Instead of making massive changes, Shaw barely worked the transfer portal. Stanford landed one transfer, safety Patrick Fields. At least Fields is an impact starter, coming off an 80-tackle season.

The offensive line returns four starters, including talented tackle duo Myles Hinton and Walter Rouse. After losing two running backs to the transfer portal, E.J. Smith — the son of Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith — will start. Smith averaged over five yards per carry on 26 attempts in 2021. Quarterback Tanner McKee returns after a decent season. Will McKee tap into his NFL potential?

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• College Football Predictions: No. 5 Southern California Trojans

Tanner McKee: 65.4 completion %

1st among Pac-12 QBs in 2021 🥇pic.twitter.com/fobdUusnzO

— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 11, 2022

In the best-case scenario, Stanford has an improved offense, but the defense still struggles. It’s unlikely the Cardinal reach .500. The sportsbook has Stanford’s over/under win total at 4½.

UCLA Bruins

• 2021 Record: 8-4
• 2021 Conference Record: 6-3
• Head Coach: Chip Kelly
• Odds to Win Conference Title: +850

The Bruins are a step under the Pac-12’s best. However, UCLA is capable of pulling off upsets, shaking up conference standings. Chip Kelly’s tenure is beginning to bear fruit. The Bruins are on the rise.

UCLA returns key starters on offense and addressed holes on defense. The potential impact of edge-rusher transfers Grayson Murphy and Gabriel Murphy, who are twin brothers, from North Texas cannot be understated. Gabriel totaled 7.5 sacks in 2021 and Grayson had 8.5 sacks. In addition, Harvard transfer Jacob Sykes had seven sacks last season.

On offense, starting QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson returns after posting 2,409 passing yards. Running back Zach Charbonnet is the most important returning starter. Following a 1,334-scrimmage yard season, Charbonnet will be one of college football’s best backs.

If the defense improves, look out Pac-12. UCLA has a great chance of hitting the over on its win total of 8½.

USC Trojans

• 2021 Record: 4-8
• 2021 Conference Record: 3-6
• Head Coach: Lincoln Riley
• Odds to Win Conference Title: +200

USC’s down years should be a thing of the past. First-year Head Coach Lincoln Riley quickly got to work, adding the nation’s No. 6 recruiting class and 20 transfers. The Trojans’ offense is loaded with Caleb Williams, Jordan Addison, Dye, and Mario Williams. Per college football odds, Williams is the third choice (+475) to win the Heisman Trophy. Also, Addison is one of college football’s best receivers.

ridiculous catch from Jordan Addison pic.twitter.com/DMpizdwHWk

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) December 5, 2021

The Trojans will have one of the country’s best offenses. This is Riley’s expertise after all. However, the defense has many questions. For USC to become a playoff contender, the defense has to be good.

There’s talent on the defensive side. If he gets healthy, former five-star Korey Foreman could have a massive leap. Tuli Tuipulotu is an elite defensive tackle. The secondary looks like the unit’s weakness. Transfer corners Mekhi Blackmon and Latrell McCutchin could help turn the unit around. USC’s defense ranked 84th in yards allowed per game (409.8); this will be a work in progress.

The offense will keep the Trojans at the top of the Pac-12, but the defense will decide their playoff hopes. USC must hit the over on its 9½ win total for a playoff berth.

Utah Utes

• 2021 Record: 10-4
• 2021 Conference Record: 8-1
• Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham
• Odds to Win Conference Title: +225

The Utes have playoff potential with a balanced roster. The defending Pac-12 champs have many key starters returning.

On offense, quarterback Cameron Rising and running back Tavion Thomas return. Rising showed star potential last season with massive games against USC and Ohio State. If he takes the next step, Utah’s playoff hopes look realistic. Following his 1,108-rushing yard season, Thomas will be one of the Pac-12’s best running backs.

Pac-12 Defensive Rookie of the Year Junior Tafuna could turn into a national star. Cornerback Clark Phillips III has All-American potential and could compete for the Thorpe Award — given to the nation’s top defensive back. Replacing All-American linebacker Devin Lloyd is the defense’s biggest challenge. Florida transfer Mohamoud Diabate, who posted 89 tackles in 2021, will be a key piece. Also, true freshman Lander Barton has enjoyed a monster offseason.

Kyle Whittingham’s masterful job at Utah continues to impress. College football odds have the Utes’ win total at over/under nine.

Washington Huskies

• 2021 Record: 4-8
• 2021 Conference Record: 3-6
• Head Coach: Kalen DeBoer
• Odds to Win Conference Title: +1400

After a poor 2021 season, the Huskies should be a lot better. Following Chris Petersen’s retirement, Jimmy Lake did not work out as head coach. Kalen DeBoer takes over as head coach. He comes off a 9-3 season at Fresno State.

The offense needs to improve after ranking 95th in points per game (22.8). Lead receiver Terrell Bynum transferred to USC. The Huskies got much-needed help in the transfer portal. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and running back Wayne Taulapapa will start. Penix was great in 2020 but dealt with injuries last season. Taulapapa has 1,342 career scrimmage yards.

Washington will have one of the Pac-12’s defenses. Last season, the Huskies led the country at 146.8 passing yards allowed per game. However, top corners Trent McDuffie and Kyle Gordon declared for the NFL Draft. The secondary has holes to fill, but the front seven will be fine, led by a stacked linebacker unit. Washington’s defense will be even better when linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio returns midseason from an injury.

The Huskies will not contend for the Pac-12, but they should have a higher win total.

Washington State Cougars

• 2021 Record: 7-6
• 2021 Conference Record: 6-3
• Head Coach: Jake Dickert
• Odds to Win Conference Title: +4000

Considering the drama that surrounded the program, Washington State had a good 2021 season. Head Coach Nick Rolovich was fired midseason as he refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Defensive coordinator Jake Dickert took over as interim coach. The Cougars went 3-3 under Dickert. Washington State promoted Dickert to head coach in the offseason.

Transfer quarterback Cameron Ward was the big offseason get. After hiring Incarnate Word’s Eric Morris as offensive coordinator, Ward followed to Washington State. Ward is a prime breakout star candidate. Last season, he posted 4,648 passing yards and 47 touchdowns. At every level, these are jaw-dropping stats. Ward is capable of turning the program around.

Huge throw here by @UIWFootball QB & West Columbia alum Cameron Ward. pic.twitter.com/KCY5BrJpEZ

— Justin Carter (@juscarts) February 27, 2021

The Cougars’ air raid attack could give defenses fits. Washington State’s defense has concerns. The secondary is being rebuilt, but First-Team All-Pac-12 defensive end Ron Stone returns.

NCAA football odds have Washington State’s win total at over/under 5½. At best, the Cougars will reach six or seven wins