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College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

An Early Outlook on the Pac-12

In Zain Bando’s recent Early Outlook piece, he predicts the Pac-12…

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Nov 26
Nov 26

The 2023-24 college football season will be a year of lasts for the Pac-12 conference, which for over 100 years, represented at least one-half of the Rose Bowl. At the same time, it will still do that moving forward when not part of the three-year rotational College Football Playoff schedule; it won’t have the same flare it once did.

USC and UCLA will depart for the Big Ten beginning in 2024, while the rest of the conference will go through fluctuating circumstances with the potential additions of San Diego State and SMU.

At least for one more season, the Pac-12 and its traditions will continue as such, all culminating with the Pac-12 title game on Dec. 1 in Paradise, Nev.

My Pac-12 2023 Predictions

12. Colorado – 2023 record prediction – (2-10, 1-8 Pac-12)

Arguably the biggest story in college football was the arrival of Deion Sanders to Boulder from the HBCU juggernaut, Jackson State, as the former NFL defensive back will look to fix the mess that is the Colorado Buffaloes. After finishing 1-11 and dismissing Karl Dorrell early on in the 2022 season, Sanders quickly went to work in what will likely be a lengthy rebuild.

Sanders already brought in help from Jackson State to establish a newfound identity. Shaduer Sanders and his big-play teammate, Travis Hunter, will lead the offense at quarterback to give it stability. The Buffaloes finished 125th in points per game a season ago, enough for 15.4 points per game. That number will likely increase this fall, considering Shaduer Sanders threw for 40 touchdowns to only six interceptions, while Hunter eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards and caught 24 touchdowns. A new offensive coordinator will also lead the Buffaloes in ex-Kent State coach Sean Lewis.

Including a new running back in four-star freshman sensation Dylan Edwards, the quarterback-to-receiver duo includes many transfers to round out a new-look offensive attack. The Buffaloes added the likes of Xavier Weaver and Jimmy Horn Jr from South Florida at wideout. They will look to make their presence felt right away, as they were also part of a 1-11 team last year. The Buffaloes also went to the portal to finalize the running back room, including the additions of Kavosiey Smoke from Kentucky and Alton McCaskill IV from Houston.

The offensive line should be a work in progress with six transfers entering the program.

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Defensively, the Buffaloes struggled to get off the field in 2022, but things will look much different in 2023. Colorado cleaned the house thoroughly after giving up a dreadful 44.5 points per game, which was last in all of college football. Charles Kelly worked under Alabama coach Nick Saban and was hired to overhaul the entire group as defensive coordinator.

Similarly to the offense, Kelly brought in young talent that will take time to develop. Most notably, expect Hunter to play both ways and Cameron McClain steps in at the cornerback position. The Buffaloes will also feature ex-Clemson product LaVonta Bentley at linebacker, along with Jordan Domineck from Arkansas and Jeremiah Brown from Jackson State as the team’s primary edge rushers.

Schedule-wise, Colorado will struggle in the first year of the Deion Sanders experiment as it will go through a gauntlet that includes traveling to Oregon and hosting USC in back-to-back weeks while also ending the season with two of its final three games on the road. The Buffaloes open the season with two nonconference opponents – a road date with TCU and the home opener against the Matt Rhule-lead Nebraska Cornhuskers.

11. Arizona State – 2023 record prediction – (3-9, 2-7 Pac-12)

Like Colorado, Arizona State hit the transfer portal hard under first-year coach Kenny Dillingham, bringing in 33 transfers to a rebuilding Sun Devils team who fired former Philadelphia Eagles icon Herm Edwards early in the 2022 season. Edwards was let go after Arizona State lost its second game of the season to Eastern Michigan, putting it at 1-2 with no hope in sight. To make matters worse, Edwards, who had previous NFL coaching experience, was accused of recruiting wrongdoings, which shed a black eye on the program. In the blink of an eye, he was gone amid an investigation.

The Sun Devils finished 3-9 and now turn the page to the Dillingham era. Dillingham is an ASU alumnus with previous stops at Oregon, Florida State, and Auburn, all as offensive coordinator.

The position group to watch this fall will be the quarterback battle between Drew Pyne, Trenton Bourguet, and former Top 50 recruit Jaden Rashada. The experience edge goes to Pyne, who impressed at Notre Dame and won eight of his 10 starts in his first collegiate season. At press time, no starter has been named.

Whoever the quarterback becomes will have weapons beyond weapons to complement him. Arizona State has an underrated receiving group, returning the dynamic dup in Elijhah Badger and Jalin Conyers at wide receiver and tight end, respectively.

Although the win total doesn’t show it, they dictated the pace of last year’s scheme with 12 touchdowns and a combined 108 receptions. The pair must stay healthy to keep the Sun Devil offense afloat against some of the conference’s best teams. The Devils also added transfers in Xavier Guillory, Giovanni Sanders, and Melquan Stovall to round out a deep receiving corp.

Arizona State lost its mainstay running back, Xazavian Valladay, to the NFL. He went undrafted to the Houston Texans in April and rushed for nearly 1,200 yards in his final season. As has been a common theme, the Sun Devils relied heavily on the transfer portal and got help to replace Valladay. Its most significant moves were locking up Cameron Skattebo from Sacramento State and retaining Tevin White, who enters his sophomore season, as the pair will maintain a steady ground attack.

The Sun Devils’ offensive line is revamped, too, as a center will lead them in Leif Fautanu, who comes to Phoenix from UNLV. Alongside him is tackle Aaron Frost, as he enters his graduate transfer season after previously playing for Nevada.

Defensively, the Sun Devils have a lot to work with, including returning Ro Torrence and Jordan Clark in the secondary, along with a whole host of transfers.

Unfortunately for the Sun Devils, similarly to Colorado, the schedule is rather demanding. Hosting USC in the conference opener is followed by four of the team’s next six games on the road, which includes a back-to-back against Utah and UCLA.

Arizona State closes the season against in-state rival Arizona two days after Thanksgiving.

10. Stanford – 2023 record prediction – (3-9, 2-7 Pac-12)

After a successful three-year period at Sacramento State (30-8), new coach Troy Taylor is challenged to replace David Shaw at Stanford.

Aside from the transition in the program and change in systems, Taylor also has to contend with an essentially new roster, as only five starters from last season return in ’23. Although there will be a quarterback battle in the upcoming fall, the victor will have the support of running back E.J. Smith and tight end Benjamin Yurosek. Stanford’s defense, which allowed an average of 32.2 points per game last year, will need further development this season.

Although Stanford has suffered significant losses on the offensive side, they have the advantage of having one of the country’s top long threats in Yurosek.

Yurosek was named to the All-Pac-12 second team and had the second-highest number of catches (49) and the third-highest receiving yards (445) last season. Taylor’s offensive strategies heavily involve tight ends, as seen in his previous coaching experience, which may lead to Yurosek having a standout season.

Taylor appointed Bobby April III, the former Wisconsin outside linebacker coach, as the new defensive coordinator. April will aim to maximize the potential of the defensive front, led by promising talent David Bailey, who had an impressive freshman season with 46 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, and 1.5 sacks. April hopes to revive Stanford’s former reputation of having an elite defense as it did under Shaw, similar to April’s success at Wisconsin. The Badgers ranked in the top 30 in total defense, rushing defense, and scoring defense.

Gaethan Bernadel, a transfer from FIU, will be a crucial figure in the linebacker group. Bernadel had an impressive performance last season with 103 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, and 1.5 sacks for the Panthers. His arrival as the first undergraduate transfer in Stanford football history should provide immediate leadership for a defense that will see many new faces and needs to establish its identity.

Stanford’s schedule is not a cakewalk by any stretch, and it will be tasked with traveling to USC in the season’s second week. In addition, three of its final seven games are away from home, which includes a back-to-back against Washington State and Oregon State in November—the Cardinal cap off the regular season schedule with long-time foes California and Notre Dame at home.

9. California – 2023 record prediction – (5-7, 3-6 Pac-12)

California coach, Justin Wilcox, is under pressure to improve the team’s performance after the disappointment of finishing with a 4-8 record in the 2022 season. Over the past three years, the Golden Bears have struggled with a 10-18 overall record and have not won in Pac-12 play under Wilcox’s leadership. To turn things around and compete for a bowl game, California needs to enhance its offensive game, which only averaged 23.9 points per game in the previous season. The team hopes their new offensive coordinator, Jake Spavital, and their sophomore transfer quarterback, Sam Jackson V, can bring new life to their offense. Furthermore, Wilcox needs to address the decline of their defense, which dropped from second in scoring in 2021 to sixth in the following year.

California’s offensive lineup will undergo significant changes with Spavital’s addition. Jackson V, who previously served as the third-stringer for national title runner-up TCU, brings versatility and experience to the team. The Bears also have competition in the form of transfer Ben Finley from NC State. Spavital’s quarterback expertise, having coached notable players such as Johnny Manziel, Kyler Murray, and Geno Smith, will undoubtedly be an asset to the team.

The Bears plan to play faster than last year while maintaining a balanced approach. Jaydn Ott will lead their rushing attack, while incoming transfers Byron Cardwell and Justin Williams-Thomas will add depth and diversity to the running back room. Returning players Jeremiah Hunter, Mavin Anderson, and sixth-year transfer Brian Hightower are expected to be crucial receiving options for the team.

Last season, Cal’s defense was not up to its usual standards, but the team has made adjustments and added new pieces, such as edge David Reese and defensive backs Nohl Williams and Matthew Littlejohn can make a significant impact. The team also has versatile defensive lineman Brett Johnson back after missing the past two seasons due to injuries.

Inside linebacker, Jackson Sirmon, who led the team with 104 tackles, has chosen to return for a sixth season. The secondary is also improving, with the likes of safety Craig Woodson, as well as corners Lu-Magia Hearns III and Jeremiah Earby, contributing to developing quality depth defensively.

The Bears have a challenging schedule, including hosting Auburn in nonconference action in Week 2. They will also host Arizona State and Oregon State midseason and finish with two out of their final three games on the road, with their season finale against Stanford in Palo Alto.

8. Arizona – 2023 record prediction – (6-6, 4-5 Pac-12)

Arizona had a tough season in 2021 with a record of 1-11, but they made strides under Jedd Fisch and finished the following season with a 5-7 record. However, the defense still needs improvement if they hope to measure up against the Pac-12’s best. That said, Arizona can out-dual their rivals and vie for a bowl game in 2023 with junior Jayden de Laura at quarterback and a dependable receiving corps.

De Laura had a breakout 2022 season. He passed for 3,685 yards and 25 touchdowns, ranking third in single-season passing yards in Arizona history. Known for his speed and agility, he is a valuable asset to the team, which has not reached a bowl game since 2017. During the off-season, he worked on his physicality by gaining 25 pounds, preparing himself better for the demands of a 12-game season.

Arizona lost leading receiver Dorian Singer, who transferred to USC. However, other talented players at the receiver position, with senior Jacob Cowing being the most productive returner. He ranked fourth in the Pac-12 with 1,034 receiving yards. Freshman Tetairoa McMillan also shows promise, with eight touchdown catches in his first year. The running back duo of Michael Wiley and Jonah Coleman combined for 1,143 rushing yards, and senior tackle Jordan Morgan anchors the offensive line with his massive presence at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds.

On the defensive side, Arizona has struggled in recent years, ranking on the lower end in national scoring defense statistics. However, transfers from notable schools like UCLA, Georgia, Oregon, Cal, and Washington are expected to start for Arizona’s defense, potentially leading to positive changes. Undersized linebacker Jacob Manu emerged as a top playmaker toward the end of the last season and led the defense. Defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen has high hopes for sophomore cornerback Ephesians Prysock, believing that he can make a significant impact during potentially the biggest moments of the year.

Arizona will travel to Mississippi State before conference play and host Washington, UCLA. USC, Washington State, and Arizona State. Those are potential must-win games that could give the Wildcats their best chance at a bowl game.

7. Washington State – 2023 record prediction – (6-6, 5-4 Pac-12)

To contend for a conference title, Washington State needs to work on several areas. Although junior quarterback Cameron Ward is returning, he needs to improve his release in his second year at Pullman. The receiving corps is also going through changes, but the biggest concern is the unreliable offensive line. In addition, the defense requires reinforcement at the linebacker and secondary positions.

Nevertheless, with the return of skilled edge rushers Ron Stone Jr. and Brennan Jackson, the unit will likely be reliable under Jake Dickert’s leadership. The success of Washington State’s offense in 2023 hinges on the consistency, productivity, and well-being of Ward, who is the program’s first returning starter since Luke Falk in 2017.

Ward’s ability to escape the pocket makes him one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the Pac-12, but he needs to address his weaknesses in precision on intermediate and deeper routes to perform at a high level in first-year coordinator Ben Arbuckle’s offense. The team lost their top four wide receivers, who accounted for 1,985 yards in 2022. Only senior Lincoln Victor and sophomore Leyton Smithson return as starting receivers, so transfers from the Mountain West Conference, Josh Kelly from Fresno State and Kyle Williams from UNLV, are expected to make an impact.

The running game looks promising, with sixth-year senior Nakia Watson and explosive sophomore Jaylen Jenkins returning. Both running backs averaged over 5.3 yards per carry last season, and Watson has the opportunity to become Washington State’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2005.

Ward was sacked the most times in the Pac-12, as he was taken down on 46 occasions. He needs to work on releasing the football quicker, but the Cougars also need better protection from an offensive line that returns four starters if they want to make progress on offense. The first few days of December were positive for the Cougars’ defense. Ron Stone Jr. announced his return for a sixth season on Dec. 2, and Brennan Jackson followed suit approximately 24 hours later, also returning for his sixth and final season. These second-team All-Pac-12 performers, with a combined 22.5 career sacks, will anchor a defensive line that should excel on the edges but lacks experience on the interior. Washington State added two Power Five linebackers, Devin Richardson from Texas and Ahmad McCullough from Maryland, to help compensate for the loss of Daiyan Henley, who was considered the best player on last year’s roster.

There are positions to fill in the secondary, but cornerback Chau Smith-Wade and safety Sam Lockett III bring experience after contributing seven of Washington State’s 21 takeaways (five interceptions, two fumble recoveries) last season.

Washington State should remain competitive all year, but a bowl game appearance could come down to critical games against Utah and Washington, where one win clinches the six-win threshold. The Cougars host the Huskies in the season’s final week.

6. UCLA – 2023 record prediction – (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12)

No. 18 UCLA had its best season under coach Chip Kelly, finishing with a 9-4 record. However, surpassing that win total will require the emergence of new stars at quarterback and running back following the departures of Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Zach Charbonnet.

Highly touted freshman Dante Moore and transfer Carson Steele from Ball State are potential candidates to fill those roles and maintain the Bruins’ solid offensive performance. The defense returns eight starters, but new coordinator D’Anton Lynn will need to improve the unit after allowing an average of 29 points per game last season. Although UCLA is still a year away from joining the Big Ten, it’s a new era in Westwood as the team goes through a reboot under Kelly.

There will be a significant personnel turnover on offense, with several new faces taking on prominent roles. The absence of Thompson-Robinson, the school’s all-time leader in total offense, will be keenly felt. Moore is expected to take over the quarterback position eventually. Still, the competition with Ethan Garbers and Kent State transfer Collin Schlee may extend into the nonconference games. The offense will rely on talented playmakers to maintain their high performance from last season.

Steele, who led the MAC in rushing last season, will likely receive the majority of carries, while senior Keegan Jones provides versatility in the backfield. Receiver J. Michael Sturdivant, a transfer from Cal, brings size and could become a primary threat in the passing game. Concerns lie with the offensive line, which added new players through the transfer portal to bolster the group. Despite not allowing any plays over 50 yards, UCLA ranked low nationally in defending gains of 10 or more yards.

Kelly has changed the defensive staff to address the team’s defensive issues. New coordinator D’Anton Lynn, previously with the Baltimore Ravens, will be calling plays for the first time. He inherits a defense with experienced veterans, including the pass-rushing Murphy twins, linebacker Laiatu Latu, and safety Jordan Anderson, a transfer from Bowling Green.

UCLA’s final season in the Pac-12 should be memorable, but a shot at a conference title game will likely have to come with some help and a little revenge when No. 10 USC plays host to the long-awaited rematch in mid-November. UCLA lost in a thriller against Williams in 2022, as the back-and-forth affair saw the Trojans prevail in a 48-45 thriller.

5. Oregon State – 2023 record prediction – (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12)

No. 14 Oregon State had a successful season last year, achieving double-digit wins for the first time since 2006. With a solid offensive line and ground attack, the Beavers have the potential to contend for the Pac-12 title if they can improve their defense and passing game, led by Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei.

The competition for the starting quarterback position at Oregon State has been intense throughout Jonathan Smith’s tenure, and it is no different in 2023. It adds Uiagalelei, a high-profile transfer, excitement to the quarterback battle against incumbent Ben Gulbranson. The competition’s winner will provide a severe passing threat that needed to improve/ in previous years.

The Beavers’ offense is anchored by their strong running game, with four out of five starting offensive linemen returning to block for Damien Martinez, last year’s Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. Martinez had an impressive season, recording six consecutive 100-yard games and averaging 6.1 yards per carry. The running back group includes experienced players like Deshaun Fenwick and Jam Griffin.

The passing game is boosted by the Beavers’ talented tight ends, a position that has produced NFL players under Smith. Transfer Jermaine Terry II from California and junior Jake Overman are the key players in this group. The receiving corps is led by juniors Anthony Gould and Silas Bolden, who had breakout seasons in 2022 and are also exceptional return specialists.

On the defensive side, Oregon State made significant improvements last season, going from having the worst defense in the Pac-12 in 2018 to leading the conference in total defense in 2022. However, they face challenges this year with losing key players to the NFL, including two cornerbacks and their top tackler. The pass rush has been strengthened with Oluwaseyi Omotosho from Wyoming, who had an impressive 6.5 sacks last season. The defensive line is anchored by seniors Isaac Hodgins and James Rawls, who have received All-Conference honors.

The Beavers have a talented and experienced safety group led by senior Kitan Oladapo, who was named to the All-Pac-12 first team. If Alton Julian, who was a standout safety before suffering an ACL tear, returns to form, Oregon State could have one of the best safety groups in the conference.

The inside linebacker position concerns the Beavers as they lost their top three players. The only returning player with significant experience is junior Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, so developing depth and talent at inside linebacker will be a focus.

Oregon State stares at a demanding schedule, with its biggest game arguably coming against Bo Nix and Oregon in Eugene to close the season. The Beavers also host Colorado and USC in games where, historically, Oregon State has needed to win to remain in conference title or bowl contention.

4. Oregon – 2023 record prediction – (10-2, 7-2 Pac-12)

No. 15 Oregon missed a chance at the Pac-12 title and a shot at the College Football Playoff due to late-season losses to Washington and Oregon State. However, the Ducks are well-equipped for another run at both in 2023. Nix leads a high-powered offense, and the defense expects to improve in coach Dan Lanning’s second year. This fall, the most significant question mark for the team is restocking the offensive line with four new starters.

In 2022, Oregon was in contention for the College Football Playoff, and Nix was receiving attention for the Heisman Trophy until he suffered an ankle injury in a game against Washington. With Nix injured, the Ducks lost their lead to the Huskies and later fell to Oregon State. This left fans wondering what could have been for the team in 2022. Nix decided to return to Oregon in 2023 to have another chance at answering that question.

Last year, Oregon benefited from the transfer portal, acquiring Nix and running backs Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington, who combined for 1,837 yards. This season, the Ducks are hoping for similar success from the portal with the additions of receivers Traeshon Holden and Tez Johnson, as well as offensive linemen Junior Angilau and Ajani Cornelius.

After a rough start against Georgia, the Ducks’ defense showed improvement under Lanning and coordinator Tosh Lupoi. However, there is still room for growth.

During the offseason, Oregon added linebackers Jestin Jacobs and Connor Soelle, cornerback Khyree Jackson, and pass rusher Jordan Burch from the transfer portal. Safeties Tysheem Johnson and Evan Williams bring veteran experience to the secondary, and there are solid returning players such as Brandon Dorlus, Casey Rogers, and Jeffrey Bassa.

Oregon will remain in the thick of the race all the way through, likely having to knock out Utah, USC, and Washington to have a shot at winning the conference. Two of those games, Utah and Washington, will be road tilts, where Oregon has struggled in past seasons.

3. Utah – 2023 record prediction – (10-2, 7-2 Pac-12)

No. 8 Utah and coach Kyle Whittingham have a good chance at winning their third consecutive Pac-12 title. The team returns 14 starters, but the key to their success lies in the health of quarterback Cameron Rising, who suffered a torn ACL in the Rose Bowl. Running back Ja’Quinden Jackson and the return of tight end Brant Kuithe from injury will significantly benefit the passing game. Utah’s defense is expected to be strong, as usual. If Rising remains healthy and plays every game, another Pac-12 title and a push for the College Football Playoff are realistic goals in 2023.

The success of Utah in 2023 hinges on the health of Rising, who is returning for his final season but is recovering from a torn ACL. Whittingham believes Rising will be ready for the season opener, but there is uncertainty. If Rising is not ready, redshirt freshman Brandon Rose will likely start. Tight end Brant Kuithe, who also suffered a torn ACL in 2022, is expected to be ready for the opener.

The running back situation is a bit uncertain, but Ja’Quinden Jackson showed promise in the final three games of last season. The cornerback position is a concern after the departure of Clark Phillips III, but there are several options to fill the spot. Miles Battle, an experienced transfer, looks to be the answer, while JaTravis Broughton and Zemaiah Vaughn are also competing for the position. Safety Clayton Isbell’s transfer leaves Sione Vaki as the likely starter, with Cole Bishop and Nate Ritchie returning at the other safety positions. The defensive line is filled with experienced players, led by Junior Tafuna at defensive tackle.

With all that said, Rising’s health will likely define how the season plays out and determine whether or not Utah will have a shot at another win in the conference title game. The Utes play Florida and Baylor nonconference while hosting UCLA, California, and Arizona State. They close the season with back-to-back road games against Washington and the Arizona Wildcats.

2. Washington – 2023 record prediction – (11-1, 8-1 Pac-12)

No. 12 Washington was one of the most improved teams in the country last year and is looking to compete for the Pac-12 title in 2023. With coach Kalen DeBoer leading the way, the Huskies had a potent offense that averaged 39.7 points per game thanks to quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and a solid receiving corps. While they need to replace three starters on the offensive line, Penix Jr.’s return should keep the offense performing at a high level. However, the defense needs to improve if Washington wants to make a run at the College Football Playoff, particularly in defending the pass.

The Huskies are bringing back critical pieces from their impressive offense in 2022, which was the second-best in the nation. Penix Jr. was one of the top passers in the country with over 4,600 yards, and he’ll have the luxury of throwing to 1,000-yard receivers Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan. With these weapons, DeBoer’s team should continue to excel offensively, especially with the addition of transfers Dillon Johnson and Germie Bernard.

The main question mark on offense is the offensive line, as they need to fill three spots. However, with experienced tackles returning and the guidance of position coach Scott Huff, there is potential for solid production.

Defensively, Washington boasts standout pass rusher Bralen Trice, who led the nation in pressures and recorded nine sacks. Players like Zion Tupuola-Fetui and Tuli Letuligasenoa will support him. The Huskies’ defense struggled against the pass in 2022, but they tried to address this weakness through transfers, including cornerback Jabbar Muhammad and linebacker Ralen Goforth. Additionally, the addition of edge rusher Zach Durfee from Division II Sioux Falls could be a game-changer for the improved defense in 2023.

This season is Penix Jr.’s and Washington’s chance at a playoff spot, as they will match up well with whoever faces them in Nevada if the Pac-12 title game berth goes the Huskies’ way. 

1. USC – 2023 record prediction – (11-1, 8-1 Pac-12)

Simply put, it’s Pac-12 title game or bust for the No. 10 USC Trojans after last season’s debacle against Utah. 

Under the leadership of coach Lincoln Riley, USC made significant improvements last season, led by quarterback Caleb Williams, who won the Heisman Trophy. The Trojans reached the Pac-12 title game and played in the Cotton Bowl against Tulane. While 2022 was a step forward, USC has its sights set on contending for the College Football Playoff. Williams will lead a top-notch offense again, but the team needs to improve its defense to win the Pac-12 Championship. Several transfers, including Bear Alexander from Georgia and Mason Cobb from Oklahoma State, should strengthen the defense. The schedule is backloaded, giving Riley time to adjust both sides of the ball.

This will be only the second time in Riley’s seven seasons as head coach that he has a returning starting quarterback. Caleb Williams had an outstanding season, setting numerous school records. He will remain a focal point of USC’s offense in 2023. The team has added new faces, including MarShawn Lloyd, Zachariah Branch, Raleek Brown, and Duce Robinson, who will contribute to the offense. The offensive line has undergone some changes, but adding three starters from the transfer portal improves depth. 

Despite having a high turnover margin, USC’s defense struggled last season, ranking poorly in yards allowed per play and scoring defense. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch will attempt to address these issues with system continuity and the addition of talented transfers like Bear Alexander. The defense also features standout players such as Calen Bullock and Eric Gentry. While replacing impact players like Tuli Tuipulotu will be challenging, the team has the potential for a more effective pass rush with the help of talented transfers.

Nonetheless, USC should perform well knowing it has a proverbial chip on its shoulder from a year ago, with its only slip-up coming against Oregon just before the UCLA rematch, finishing 8-1 in the conference.

My Pac-12 title game prediction

USC will outlast Washington in a thriller that will come down to the final drive, as Williams will clinch his fourth touchdown of the evening and prevail over Penix Jr., 45-38.

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