2023 College Football PAC-12 Preview, Predictions & Picks

This will be the final collegiate football season in the Pac-12 Conference, at least the Pac-12 as we know it. USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon are headed to the Big Ten, with Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State packing up and leaving for the Big 12 Conference. The futures of Stanford, Cal, Washington State, and Oregon State are unknown.

At present, the 2023 season in the Pac-12 is shaping up to be one of the best the conference has had in decades. Oregon, Washington, and USC are all legitimate College Football Playoff contenders, and several teams play exciting brands of football. 

College Football Conference Previews & Picks: ACC | Big Ten | 

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PAC-12 Favorite: Southern California +200

Lincoln Riley‘s USC Trojans are the slight favorites to win the PAC-12, and Caleb Williams is the favorite to capture another Heisman Trophy. There are few concerns about the offense, with Riley calling the shots and Williams orchestrating the attack. Dorian Singer transferred from Arizona and could be the new No. 1 target, while tight end Duce Robinson might be the best freshman in the country. MarShawn Lloyd, Zachariah Branch, and Raleek Brown are dangerous weapons out of the backfield. The question mark comes on defense and how much that unit can improve. USC invested heavily in the portal, with defensive lineman Bear Alexander coming from Georgia and joining potential stars like Calen Bullock and Eric Gentry. The Trojans host Utah, Washington, and UCLA but have to travel to Oregon. 

PAC-12 Sleeper Prediction: Oregon +325

The Oregon Ducks are only ranked 15th in the preseason poll, but they have a genuine chance to capture another PAC-12 Championship. Bo Nix returns at quarterback to lead what should be an excellent offense. Running backs Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington form a dynamic duo, and pass-catchers Troy Franklin and Terrance Ferguson are joined by Traeshon Holden and Tez Johnson from the transfer portal. The biggest question for the offense is upfront, as the line has to replace four starters. The Ducks added starters from the portal at each level of the defense, and there are solid veterans back. In addition, Oregon has recruited very well under Dan Lanning, and some of that young talent will emerge in 2023. Oregon has to travel to Washington and Utah, but they host USC and Oregon State in November. 

Favorite Over PAC-12 Pick: Arizona – 5 Wins

The Arizona Wildcats have not been to a bowl game since 2017. This is a bet that 2023 will see that change this season. Head coach Jedd Fisch is in his third season and has done a lot of work adding talent and changing the culture. Jayden de Laura threw for 3,685 yards in 2022 and is an excellent quarterback to build the offense around. Jacob Cowing is back at wide receiver, and they added some talent through the transfer portal to bolster that group. The offensive line should be a strength, anchored by potential all-conference tackle Jordan Morgan. The defense is a significant question mark, but Arizona added players from UCLA, Georgia, Oregon, and Washington that should all start this season. The schedule is very manageable and is a critical factor in this bet. They should have wins over Northern Arizona and UTEP in the non-conference slate, with a toss-up game against Mississippi State. In PAC-12 play, they should be favored against Stanford, Colorado, and Arizona State, and they get home games against Oregon State, UCLA, and Utah that could turn into wins. 

Favorite Under PAC-12 Pick: California – 5 Wins

The Cal Golden Bears have won a total of ten games in the past three seasons and surpassed five wins only twice in the past six seasons. In addition, they will start Sam Jackson V at quarterback, TCU’s third-string signal caller in 2022. The offensive line surrendered 31 sacks in 2022 and has made no personnel changes. The defense is supposed to be a strength under Justin Wilcox, but it has slipped, and they gave up 27.8 points per game last season. No significant additions jump out as difference makers, and the schedule is not kind. The Golden Bears have an odd road game in Week 1 at North Texas. They then host Auburn and top ten FCS team Idaho before entering PAC-12 play. They are likely 2-1 in non-conference but could drop two games before the conference schedule begins. They will likely be underdogs in all but two conference games (Arizona State and Stanford) and will struggle to sniff a bowl game.

Top PAC-12 Heisman Candidate: Caleb Williams +500

The top Heisman Trophy candidate in the PAC-12 Conference is the defending trophy holder, Caleb Williams. Williams is the national favorite after he was responsible for a remarkable 52 touchdowns (42 passing) and led USC to a New Year’s Six bowl game in Lincoln Riley’s first season in Los Angeles. Other PAC-12 contenders are Michael Penix Jr. (+1600) from Washington, Oregon’s Bo Nix (+1800), and Cam Rising (+8000) from Utah. 

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