Dec 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; The Oregon Ducks players celebrate after their Pac-12 Championship game against the Arizona Wildcats at Levi
With the 2015 Pac-12 Football season about to begin, Go Joe Bruin takes a deep look into the schedules of all 12 teams and predicts the final conference standings.
I, Mike W.R., have thoroughly looked at the upcoming regular season schedules of the Pac-12 football teams and what I have seen will make your head spin. With seven teams all potentially having a chance to win their division and possibly the conference, knowing what is coming up in 2015 has me very excited for this season of Pac-12 Football.
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How could you not be? From Week 1, there will be fireworks as the Pac-12 squares off against some of the top teams in the country (or will at the very least will have epic battles).
There is Utah hosting Michigan on the first day of football, Arizona State taking on Texas A&M, Cal against Texas, Oregon at Michigan State and Notre Dame taking on both USC and Stanford later in the season… and those are just the non-conference games. The conference season itself is even more insane!
For a visual reference, one of my favorite college football schedule sites, HelmetSchedules.com, has the week-by-week list of every Pac-12 Football team for all 13 regular season weeks. I suggest you check them out and print out your own copy.
Next: The Same Ol' North
Nov 15, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw leads his team on to the field before the game against the Utah Utes at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
The North Division
Yes, I think Stanford will win the North Division. David Shaw is one hell of a coach and he will have Stanford back in form behind a willing and determined QB Kevin Hogan. In their biggest games, I have Stanford losing at USC and against Notre Dame but defeating Oregon and UCLA.
As for Oregon, though they went the National Championship Game, I cannot just give them the nod to win the North. Not only did they loses Heisman Trophy winner QB Marcus Mariota, but they also lost three starting offensive linemen. On defense they lose five starters, including Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.
Because of that, I believe the Ducks will take a small step back which will be big enough to derail their chance at another College Football Playoff spot.
Washington and Cal will battle for that third spot, but get beaten up in the process as they both lose to Stanford and Oregon and every Pac-12 South team they play.
As for Washington State and Oregon State, well, there is always next year.
Next: The Battle Royale, aka The South Division
Oct 18, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora Jr. stands on the field before the start of the game against the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The South Division
Call it “homer”-ism or call it truth but I seriously believe UCLA will win the South Division. Though I have them losing at Stanford and at Utah (in mid-November of all times) it is my belief that the Bruins have enough to make it to the Pac-12 Championship Game.
This is the best team in the Jim Mora era and despite not yet naming a quarterback, they look to be a very lethal team, especially on defense.
Up next, and believe me, it was very hard to decide some of these match-ups, Arizona State finishes one game behind the Bruins. I have them losing 3 out of 4 games in the middle of a tough stretch of the season at UCLA, at Utah and at Oregon. They right themselves towards the end of the year, but at that point it is too late to win the division.
USC, Arizona and Utah come in tied in the overall standings at 8-4, but with the Trojans winning the tie-breaker against the Wildcats and Utes, USC gets the #3 spot. Arizona, though having a very good season, has losses to UCLA, Stanford, USC and in-state rival ASU.
I would have picked Utah in a few more games, but their overhauled coaching staff has me worried. With the Utes already having trouble breaking into the top half of the Pac-12 South, their instability will hinder them this season.
As for Colorado, well, it was nice knowing Mike MacIntyre.
Next: The Pac-12 Championship
Dec 7, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; The Pac-12 logo is displayed prior to the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils against the Stanford Cardinal at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Pac-12 Championship Game
So here it is, the game that should send the winner to the College Football Playoff! Although the consolation prize is not too shabby either. If the winner does go to the College Football Playoff semi-final, the loser will most likely go to the Rose Bowl. Talk about incentive to win the division.
So with Stanford winning the North Division and UCLA winning the South, it will be the second time the Cardinal and Bruins play in 2015.
So who will win? Find out next time on Go Joe Bruin!
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- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show