UCLA
In 2022, the Bruins went 9-4 with a 6-3 conference record. They had notable wins against Washington and Utah and made it to the Sun Bowl where they lost to Pitt by a score of 37-35. They also played USC close last season and only lost that game by field goal in a 48-45 loss. UCLA suffered two big losses this offseason with their two stars on offense, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and RB Zach Charbonnet both leaving for the NFL. However, the Bruins have five-star true freshman Dante Moore who could fill the role at QB. UCLA also beefed up their offensive line through the transfer portal this offseason. There's no doubt Chip Kelly has the Bruin faithful believing in this year's team, but can they duplicate the success they had last season?
UCLA's win total is set at 8.5 wins. They open their season against Coastal Carolina, San Diego State, NC Central and Utah. The only game UCLA should lose here is against Utah as the bruins should be off to a 3-1 start. They then play Washington State, Oregon State, Stanford and Colorado. Again, I only see one loss here for UCLA against Oregon State as they get to 6-2 on the season. They then wrap up their season against Arizona, Arizona State, USC and Cal. The only game that UCLA should lose here is against USC as the Bruins get back to a 9-3 season while going 6-3 in conference play.
Oregon
Last season Oregon, lead by star QB Bo Nix, went 10-3 and finished their season with a win over North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl by a score of 28-27. The Ducks were able to get Bo Nix some help by adding two wide receivers in the transfer portal in Traeshon Holden (from Alabama) and Tez Johnson (from Troy). They also beefed up their offensive line and brought in several transfers on the defensive side of the ball that should have an immediate impact on the team. But, is all this enough to compete at the top of what might be the most competitive year in the Pac12?
Oregon's win total is set at 9.5 wins. They open their season against Portland State, Texas Tech, Hawaii and Colorado. This should be an easy start for the Ducks as they should get to a nice 4-0 start to the season. They then play Stanford, Washington, Washington State and Utah. This is a tougher stretch for Oregon and I have them dropping two games here to Washington and Utah to get to 6-2 on the season. The Ducks finish their season against Cal, USC, Arizona State and Oregon State. The only game I have Oregon losing here is against Oregon State at the end of the season as the Ducks finish with a nice 9-3 record while going 6-3 in conference play.
Oregon State
Oregon State is coming off a good 2022 campaign going 10-3 overall with a 6-3 conference record. They ended their season with a 30-3 bowl win over Florida. It seemed their season was not talked about as much as it should have been. But, going into 2023, there is a lot of hype around this Beaver team. It is expected that Oregon State will take another big leap with the addition of former Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei transferring to the program. Oregon State also filled some gaps on defense through the portal and are hoping its enough to give what should be an explosive offense a chance to keep pace with an offensive friendly conference.
The Beavers win total is set at 8.5 wins. They open their season against San Jose State, UC Davis, San Diego State and Washington State. This is a pretty easy start for Oregon State and they should find themselves sitting at 4-0 heading into week five. They then play Utah, Cal, UCLA and Arizona. I only see the Beavers losing one game here to Utah as they advance to 7-1. Oregon State wraps up the season against Colorado, Stanford, Washington and Oregon. Again, I only see them losing one game here to Washington as the Beavers finish the season with a strong 10-2 record.
Utah
Utah is also coming off a good 2022 season that ended with a Pac12 championship victory before losing to Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Of course, the big question surrounding this team is how long their starting QB Cam Rising will be out, but as long as he's healthy Utah can match up with anyone in this conference. The Utes were not too active in the portal this offseason but the team has enough returning talent where they can still compete at the top of the conference. But can Utah win a third straight conference championship?
Utah's win total is set at 8.5 wins. They open their season against Florida, Baylor, Weber State and UCLA. I expect the Utes to start 4-0 here with the toughest game coming against Florida, but even if Cam Rising isn't able to play I think Utah can still beat the Gators at home. They then play Oregon State, Cal, USC and Oregon. The only game I have Utah losing in this stretch is against USC as the Utes get to 7-1 on the season. Utah wraps up their season against Arizona State, Washington, Arizona and Colorado. Again, I only see one loss here to Washington as the Utah Utes find themselves with another strong 10-2 finish.
Washington
Washington is coming off an impressive 11-2 season lead by breaking QB Michael Pinex. The season ended in a 27-20 win over Texas in the Alamo Bowl. Now, in 2023, Washington looks to take another leap forward. The Huskies are returning a lot of talent including star receivers Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan. They also added RB Dillon Johnson (from Mississippi State) and WR Germie Bernard (from Michigan State). They also return a lot of talent of the defensive side of the ball as well. SO, can this Washington Huskies team take another leap forward in 2023?
The teams win total is set at 9.5 wins. They open the season against Boise State, Tulsa, Michigan State and Cal. The Huskies should easily find themselves at 4-0 after these first four games. They then play Arizona, Oregon, Arizona State and Stanford. The only loss I have here for Washington is against Oregon as they move to 7-1 on the season. They then wrap their season up against USC, Utah, Oregon State and Washington State. Again, I only see Washington losing one game here to USC as the Huskies finish the season with a 10-2 record while going 7-2 in conference play.
USC
USC had a great 2022 season that ended in a difficult loss to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl. But, with Heisman winner Caleb Williams returning for one more season the Trojans hope to make a strong case for the college football playoffs in 2023. USC brought in transfer RB MarShawn Lloyd (from South Carolina) this offseason as well as LB Bear Alexander (from Georgia) to help strengthen their defense. However, their defense will need to improve a lot if USC wants to make it to the playoffs. Their win total is currently set at 9.5 wins/
The Trojans open their season against San Jose State, Nevada, Stanford and Arizona State. None of these teams are too challenging for USC as they should start 4-0. They then play Colorado, Arizona, Notre Dame and Utah. The only game I have USC losing here is against Notre Dame as they get to 7-1 on the season. They then wrap up their season against Cal, Washington, Oregon and UCLA. I have the Trojans dropping one game here to Oregon as they finish with a strong 10-2 record on the season while only losing one game in conference play.
Pac12 Standings:
USC 10-2 (8-1)
Washington 10-2 (7-2)
Utah 10-2 (7-2)
Oregon State 10-2 (7-2)
Oregon 9-3 (6-3)
UCLA 9-3 (6-30
Arizona 6-6 (4-5)
Cal 5-7 (3-6)
Arizona State 4-8 (2-7)
Washington State 3-9 (1-8)
Colorado 2-10 (1-8)
Stanford 2-10 (0-9)
Pac12 Championship Game
USC vs Washington