Pac-12 Football Predictions: Where will Colorado finish?

Jack Stern of CUSportsNation.com has a very, very in-depth write up on the upcoming season in the Pac-12, and where he thinks each team will finish in the standings.

Check it out below!

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1. USC

I think USC is the definitely the early frontrunner. While they lost offensive tackles Zach Banner and Chad Wheeler, who anchored the 4th best offensive line in college football last season (PFF), they have the experience and talent necessary on the interior with returning seniors center Nico Falah and left guard Viane Talamaivao to dominate in the trenches once again. They also have the running back to compliment their talented offensive line with power runner Ronald Jones, who has averaged over six yards a carry the past two seasons. In addition to being set up front and at running back, they have arguably the best quarterback in college football lining up under center in Sam Darnold, who led the Trojans to a 9-1 record over the final 10 games. Look for the true sophomore to elevate the play of athletic pass catching wide receiver Deontay Burnett and big-bodied tight end Tyler Petite. Also look for for Burnett, who had several impressive performances in divisional games against Oregon and Washington with Darnold at the helm last season, to take his game to the next level.

On defense, the Trojans have some concerns coming off a season where their pass defense ranked 56th in college football a season ago. Add in the fact that, they have no clear cut number one cornerback - especially following the loss of cornerback Adoree Jackson, and there is need for come concern. Jackson’s loss will be felt on special teams as well, where he accounted for an combined 10 touchdowns over his three seasons with the team. If the defense can minimally keep opponents out of the endzone and control the clock, it shouldn’t weigh down the team that much.

2. UCLA

This team is depending on quarterback Josh Rosen to take the next step and carry this team. With the talented signal caller out of the lineup last season, the Bruins went 1-5. Rosen has the accuracy, precision, and big play ability to take this team to the next level. Look for him to elevate the play of wide receiver Darren Andrews and pass catching tight end Caleb Wilson. That being said, there are major question marks surrounding the Bruins' ground game. The two headed rushing attack, which featured Soso Jamabo and Nate Starks a season ago was only able to muster out a medgar 84.3 yards per game last season. The duo will have to improve on last year’s performance if the Bruins want to have a balanced offensive attack.

READ: Colorado Football Recruiting Scoop

On defense, the Bruins lived behind their secondary which ranked 36th in passing yards allowed, giving up a mere 210.5 yards per game a year ago. Numbers aside, the backend of the defense, which was anchored by departed cornerbacks Fabian Moreau and Randall Goforth has big shoes to fill if they want to follow-up on last years performance. On the line, the Bruins suffered major losses in Tak McKinley and Eddie Vanderdoes. All questions marks aside, I still feel like Rosen is a true difference maker and will ultimately elevate the overall level of this team's play like any dominant quarterback does. If he doesn’t perform at a high level, I see things going south (literally) very quickly.

3. Colorado

Last year’s Colorado Buffaloes defense ranked 19th overall in all of college football a year ago. Unfortunately, this unit which was so dominant last year and lost 8 of their starters from last season. With that in mind, it is hard to predict this unit’s performance, which will play a big role in the Buffs record this year. One thing that should help them is the return of veteran outside linebacker Derek McCartney, who played two games last year before suffering a ruptured ACL and was recently named as one of the team’s six captains. In the secondary, the Buffs are depending on the likes of cornerback Isaiah Oliver to turn into a true lockdown guy. They’re also relying on safety Afolabi Laguda to both replicate an impressive season last year in which he was in on 69 tackles (48 solo), and become the leader of this defense.

If the Buffs defense can keep them in games, the offense is in a good position to put up a good number of points. The offensive line returns all five starters from last year, with three seniors. Look for running back Phillip Lindsay to build on a dominant 1,252 yard, 16 touchdown performance from a season ago. Quarterback Steven Montez should build on his performance in limited action last season as well, especially since he’s had some time to gel with his receiving core. That receiving group also returns all four starters and are expected to improve on last year’s performance too.

4. Utah

The Utes enter this season as a young team that’s lost several vital components. The loss of Joe Williams, who ranked second in the PAC 12 behind only Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey with 1,407 rushing yards, will hurt them mightily - as will the loss of lead-blocking standout offensive tackle Garrett Boles. Additionally, there are some major question marks under center surrounding Troy Williams, who ranked 11 out of the 12 eligible quarterbacks in the PAC 12 in passer rating a season ago. It’s up to him to take his game to the next level and elevate this offense’s play. Also playing a major factor will be Williams replacement, running back Zack Moss, who averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season. If he can develop at a quick rate, that will take a large burden of Quarterback Williams’s back.

On defense, the Utes took a big blow when they lost talented safety Marcus Williams, who accounted for five interceptions last season. That loss should be eased by hybrid safety Chase Hansen, who had three interceptions and 90 tackles (54 solo) a year ago. Look for him to be the alpha dog of this defensive unit.

Fall Camp Question: How will Colorado's chemistry develop?

5. ASU

The Sun Devils have an Atlanta Falcons like rushing attack going with the combination of Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage. The two accounted for over 1,700 all-purpose yards from scrimmage last season. If the duo can improve on last year’s effort, ASU has a good chance of finishing higher in their division, as having a game-changing running back or duo, has positively correlated with success in both at the NFL and college level - most notably with the Dallas Cowboys. The Sun Devils' achilles heel lies in their offensive line. The front unit, surrendered an astronomical 41 sacks, and was ranked dead last in the PAC 12 a season ago. If they don’t improve it will have the makings of a long season for Alabama transfer quarterback Blake Barnett.

On defense, the Sun Devils allowed just under 40 points a game a year ago. Their secondary had a lot to do with this as they got torched all of last season, allowing an awful 356.4 pass yards per game. It’ll be up to former Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Bennett to revive this unit and improve their performance. For now, this team has too many questions marks and inexperience for me to believe they’ll finish any higher.

6. Arizona

The Wildcats had a tough 2016 season. Devastated by the injury of their top three quarterbacks, and poor play by their defense, the folks in Tucson essentially saw their team disintegrate before their eyes. The defense group gave up a whooping 38.3 points per game, and 6.1 yards per play. Their isn’t any reason to believe the defense will improve either, as they lost arguably their best starters in linebackers’ Michael Barton and Paul Malgoire.

Like their in-state rivals, the Cats have an impressive young running back duo in J.J. Taylor and Nick Wilson, but Taylor only played in four games last year, and Wilson five. The tandem has had trouble staying healthy and on the field. Adding insult to injury, their top returning receiver from last season, Shun Brown, only had 521 receiving yards last season. He has shown big-play ability, averaging 18 yards per reception, but there are question marks about his ability to takeover as the number one receiver, and get open on a consistent basis. Overall there are too many holes and areas of concern for me to believe the Wildcats will climb out of the basement this year.

1. Washington

I truly believe the Huskies are the team to beat in the PAC 12. Washington has the tools to have an explosive run game once again with one of the best offensive lines in football and Myles Gaskin as their running back. Even though a lot of the quarterback hype in the PAC 12 is centered around UCLA’s Josh Rosen and USC’s Sam Darnold, look for Browning to be the x-factor who takes a major step this year. In addition to having great protection and a solid running back, he has big play threat Dante Pettis, who I believe will also make a lot of progress this year as well. Pettis has the build and route running ability to do it, he just needs to use his body to win the more physical jump balls and battles at the line of scrimmage. If anyone has any doubts about his route-running ability/potential, look to the game against Alabama where he burned cornerback Marlon Humphrey on a double move, back corner fade for a TD. I also feel everything is in place for Chico McClatcher, who had 574 receiving yards last year, to take Ross's spot as the space creating, speed-burner in the offense.

Defensively, the Huskies have some questions looming after losing their whole secondary to the NFL. They ranked 11th in pass defense a year ago and were undoubtedly one of the most elite units in college football. Look for safety Taylor Rapp, who had 4 interceptions and 53 tackles (29 solo) a year ago, to transition into the leader of this defense. Also look for that defensive line, led by tackle Vita Vea, who had five sacks last year, to have another impressive season and win many more battles in the trenches. It’s no secret that Washington is the best team on paper in their division and has a good chance of repeating as PAC 12 champions.

READ: MacIntyre talks Montez, receivers and secondary at Pac-12 Media Days

2. Washington State

The cougars are a team improving by the day. Quarterback Luke Falk has the potential to be a excellent precision passer and a guy who can stretch the field. He has the ability to fit balls in tight windows on passes of 20+ yards and is a good leader. Look for him to improve on last year’s performance in which he led the PAC 12 in completion percentage, and passing yards. Their receiving core, which is led by Tavares Martin, who had 728 yards through the air last season, will improve as well.

On defense, the Cougars will rely on safety Robert Taylor, who had an impressive 64 tackles (18 solo), and two pass breakups last year to step-up, and be the leader of the secondary. They’re also depending on the likes of defensive end, Hercules Mata’afa, who had 4 sacks, and 45 tackles (36 solo), to anchor the front unit. While there are question marks, like the situation with Josh Rosen in UCLA, I feel like Luke Falk will be the one who elevates this Cougars' performance and brings them to the next level.

3. Stanford

Ultimately, the Cardinals will take a major hit after losing defensive end Solomon Thomas and running back Christian McCaffrey - both gave them an identity on opposite sides of the ball. That being said, tail back Bryce Love, who averaged an outstanding 7.1 yard per carry last season, will do a good job filling in at the running back position.

The Cardinals are a very experienced team on the defensive side of the ball, with all four starting linebackers from last year returning. Also, returning senior defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, who had 6.5 sacks lined up next to Thomas last season should be someone who helps with their run-stopping efforts. Their secondary features all four starters returning from last year, and should ultimately improve from a up-and-down 2016. Overall, I feel this is a middle of the pack team that has the potential to win some tight ballgames with their defense.

4. Oregon

Like a lot of the other teams in the PAC 12, I expect an offensive skill position player to be the difference maker for the Ducks. I really feel that Royce Freeman will be a game changer, especially considering both teams that finished directly ahead of them in their division last season in Oregon State and Cal got walked over by running backs last year. Cal allowed a pedestrian 250+ yards on the ground to Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey and looked like they had no answer for him. I also feel Freeman is bound to have a breakout year behind an offensive line that features the return of talented left tackle Tyrell Crosby after missing all but two games last year. The surrounding cast will be something that aids in the development of talented sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert, who had just under 2,000 yards through the air last season to go with 19 touchdowns. Having Freeman will take the workload off his shoulders, while the return of Crosby will give him much needed blind side pass protection protection.

Although their defense got lit up last year, I'm looking for them to bounce back enough for a 4th place finish in the North, especially with the hiring of defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt. That being said, they are a young group, especially in the secondary with freshman cornerback Thomas Graham and safety Brady Breeze. Ultimately, it’s hard to expect a major turnaround from the Ducks, especially considering they allowed 41.42 points per game last season.

READ: Colorado targets recruits at Valor Christian H.S.

5. Oregon State

Following a two win improvement between 2015 and 2016, the Beavers head into this year ready to continue their upwards climb. With that in mind, there are some major concerns at the quarterback position where there seems to be an open competition between incumbent Marcus McMaryion and incoming transfer Jake Luton. One thing aiding whoever starts under center will be rising running back Ryan Nall, who ran for an impressive 954 yards, and 6.48 yard per carry on the ground last season. That being said, there is some inexperience on the left side of the offensive line which could potentially hinder the growth of this unit.

The Beavers' secondary is where their real strong point lies. They only let up 211.2 yard per the air last season and have talented redshirt sophomore cornerback Xavier Crawford. Crawford, who was recently named to the All-PAC-12 third team, finished the season with 10 pass break-ups, and tied for fourth on the team in tackles with 70 (50 solo). On the defensive line, they have experienced veteran seniors Baker Pritchard and Phillip Napoleon. Although this team has undoubtedly improved from last season, it’s hard to predict better than a fifth place finish considering the question marks at the quarterback position and the lack of firepower on offense - especially following the loss of top receiver Victor Bolden.

6. Cal

After losing quarterback David Webb and wide receiver Chad Hansen, this is a program that feels like they’re in rebuild mode all the way around. They have no real big-time weapons at the wideout position, and they're going to need to rely on Tre Watson, who averaged 5.1 yards/carry in 2016, for most of their offensive production. If he can produce at a high level, and be the dynamic back he’s capable of being, then I see them potentially finishing higher.

The defensive side of the ball is where most of the Bears problems lie. As discussed earlier, they let up huge games to former Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey, and again to former Washington wideout John Ross, who had over 200 yards receiving and three touchdowns against them. Although those were two somewhat isolated individual cases, the Bears defense were lit up on a weekly basis. They allowed 6.71 yards per play, and let up an average of well over 40 points a game. In the secondary, the only bright spot is cornerback Marloshawn Franklin, who had a team high seven pass breakups in 2016 - good enough to be named a candidate for the Jim Thorpe award. That being said, he can only do so much. The bottom line, is this unit couldn’t keep the Bears in many games last year, and even the ones they did, the offense was forced to score a large number of points. Following the loss of their two most talented players on offense, I see an ugly season on the horizon in Berkeley.