Several Pac-12 teams have already begun Spring Practice which means more football talk for us. We recently analyzed the non-confernce schedule of the teams of the Pac-12 North Division, so you know what that means. We will now take a gander at the non-conference schedule for the South Division.
Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez reacts against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats defeated the Sun Devils 42-35 to win the Pac-12 south title. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Wildcats
vs UTSA
at Nevada
vs Northern Arizona
This is definitely the weakest non-conference schedule in the entire Pac-12 South Division. Arizona may be looking to repeat as winners of the South, but they are not doing themselves any favors next season on the national scene as it also hurts their strength of schedule which we all found out is a huge factor in determining the College Football Playoffs. If the Wildcats want to be taken seriously, they need to start scheduling games against teams from the Power 5 conferences.
Arizona State Sun Devils
Dec 27, 2014; El Paso, TX, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham during the second quarter as his team faces the Duke Blue Devils in the 2014 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
vs Texas A&M (in Houston, TX)
vs Cal Poly
vs New Mexico
Now that is a way to start a season. Though the Aggies are not one of the primier teams in the SEC, playing in the Lone Star State against a proud football program is a great way to get ASU’s 2015 season going. If they win, great, but if they lose, they have a cushion the next two games. One a FCS team and the other a bad Mountain West team.
Colorado Buffaloes
UCLA Bruins
at Hawai’i
vs UMass
vs Colorado State
vs Nicholls State
Colorado is taking advantage of the Hawai’i Exemption that allows teams to schedule an extra regular season game if they travel to the Aloha State. And why not? Hawai’i is beautiful at the end of summer. Still, a gorgeous football setting does not translate to a gorgeous non-conference schedule. Although, in Colorado’s case, they have not been very successful the last few years, so this might be perfect for them to get some experience and try to get better in head coach Mike MacIntyre‘s third year with four non-conference games.
UCLA Bruins
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vs Virginia
at UNLV
vs BYU
It is definitely not the schedule it was last season but it will have it’s challenges. The Bruins had trouble against Virginia to start 2014 and will no doubt be a tough contest. They then travel to Sin City to face lowly UNLV which should be more of a party than anything. But then they meet BYU who always comes ready to play against the Bruins. Example: In 2008, BYU beat UCLA 59-0. I am sure Jim Mora will not allow that to happen.
USC Trojans
Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (C) speaks the fans after the 2014 Holiday Bowl against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Qualcomm Stadium. USC won 45-42. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
vs Arkansas State
vs Idaho
at Notre Dame
At least USC will start out 2-0. Not exactly the knock-out schedule they need, but as always, they do have their annual grapple with Notre Dame, but this one is in South Bend in October. The Trojans will be in mid-season form and looking to give the Irish a hard time by then. Might as well because they will not get much of a fight from Arkansas State and Idaho.
Dec 20, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham looks on against the Colorado State Rams during the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Utah won 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Utah Utes
vs Michigan
vs Utah State
at Fresno State
It looks like Utah is looking to throw down next season. The Utes turned some heads last year in non-conference and will most likely get a lot of attention when they go through this schedule. They help kick-off the Jim Harbaugh-era at Michigan with a battle in Salt Lake City. Then they immediately go into a rivalry game with in-state foe Utah State. The Utes then head to Mountain West powerhouse Fresno State to round off their non-conference schedule. At least they will be ready for conference play.