Analyzing The Pac-12 North Non-Conference Schedules

With Spring Practice upon us, several programs are already getting ready for the 2015 season. The fact of the matter is, there is just under 200 days until college football returns and though that seems far away, it will be here before you know it. With that in mind, we start to take a look at 2015 as we analyze the Pac-12’s non-conference schedules, starting with the Pac-12 North Division.

Nov 22, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears head coach Sonny Dykes on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

California Golden Bears

vs Grambling

vs San Diego State

at Texas

The Bears have not backed down from a challenge in recent years and have even flown cross-country to get their seasons started, no matter the result. The good thing about their 2015 non-conference schedule is that it gets increasingly harder. Though Grambling seems like a game to stuff the win column, the Bears will find it harder as they finish at Texas. It looks like Cal can now get their revenge on Texas after the Longhorns were selected for the 2005 Rose Bowl over the Golden Bears.

Oregon Ducks

UCLA Bruins

vs Eastern Washington

at Michigan State

vs Georgia State

Things looked very hard for Oregon to start the season at the end of 2014, but then Eastern Washington QB Vernon Adams decided to transfer to Oregon, putting himself on the opposite side of the ball to start 2015. A hard game just got easier for Oregon, but then things get down right brutal as the Ducks head to the state of Michigan for what could arguably be their toughest non-conference game in years. But hey, even if they lose to the Spartans, at least they have a cupcake to feast on the week after with Georgia State.

Oregon State Beavers

vs Weber State

at Michigan

vs San Jose State

A team in transition deserves a small challenge before they start competing for conference championships. That is the case with OSU as they chomp on a tasty treat that is Weber Sate to start the year. But then they up the ante as they head to the Wolverine’s Den in week 2. Though it will be against another team in transition, expect the Beavers to be given a rude awakening against the new Jim Harbaugh-led Michigan team.

Stanford Cardinal

Oct 18, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

at Northwestern

vs Central Florida

vs Notre Dame

Stanford might just have the toughest non-conference schedule in not just the Pac-12 North, but the entire conference. Though Northwestern might not be their toughest challenge, it is always quite an adventure to start the season on the road. But then, even though their next two non-conference games are at home, it is against upstart Central Florida and the always proud Norte Dame Fighting Irish. This is not the toughest schedule, but I certainly would not want it for my team.

Washington Huskies

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at Boise State

vs Sacramento State

vs Utah State

Head coach Chris Petersen returns to Boise State in UW’s first game of the season. Not only will this be a bit awkward for him and his new team but it will also be very tough. Though he is looking to improve a young Washington team, it will not be easy against a team that is just as good as he left them. Luckily the Huskies can bounce back in a non-conference game against an FCS school, but then it gets a bit difficult with Utah State.

Nov 1, 2014; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach looks on against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Washington State Cougars

vs Portland State

at Rutgers

vs Wyoming

Wazzu may have one of the weaker non-conference schedules in the conference, but maybe that is a good thing, Head coach Mike Leach has not has the smoothest start to his Cougar career, though it seems he will have Washington State with a smooth start to the 2015 campaign. A game against Portland State will get the blood flowing before they have to travel across the country to Rutgers. They then finish up with Wyoming, which will not be easy, but should give them a chance at starting 2-1.

Stay with Go Joe Bruin as we bring you Part 2 of this analysis… the South Division.