Every Departing Pac-12 Team's Biggest Flaw Ahead of 2024

The latest wave of conference realignment may have permanently eliminated regionality in college football, but at a minimum, it wiped out the Pac-12 as we know it.

The conference that was well over 100 years old has since been downgraded to a two-team conference with 10 members leaving for the ACC, Big Ten, or Big 12. While those 10 programs are certainly thrilled to be in a more stable situation, even if it is temporary, not everyone is going to hit the ground running. 

Each of the departing programs has at least one flaw that stands out ahead of their entrance in their new conference, and while some like Oregon may have a smaller one than most, they each have some baggage. Let's take a look at each of their biggest flaws as they embark on their journey to a new conference, whether it be a position group, coach, or situation. 

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Colorado: Self-Inflicted Pressure

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It's one thing to be confident, but Colorado head coach Deion Sanders recently declared that Colorado can "definitely" make the College Football Playoff. While the team has upgraded their roster in a major way, they will certainly have a target on their back. They will have to get through a final seven-game stretch that could feature up to seven ranked teams, and we all saw how quickly fans turned on them last season. 

Stanford: Still Rebuilding

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Former head coach David Shaw took the program to heights it had never seen, but also led the way as it came crashing down these past few seasons. Troy Taylor inherited a roster full of players who had never been key contributors, with a majority having rarely played. The program that was once a power out West, is still looking to ascend to just being able to make a bowl game.  

Arizona State: Quarterback

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The Sun Devils cycled through quarterbacks last season like it was a carousel, and there still isn't a clear answer at the position. While they lost Drew Pyne to the portal, they did land Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt. They will likely have a three-horse race for the starting role, and it remains to be seen if the answer is on the roster,

Cal: Coach On The Hot Seat

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While Cal did reach their first bowl game since 2019, the Golden Bears finished below .500 for the fourth year in a row. Justin Wilcox was on the hot seat prior to the season and did enough to save his job, but there's a chance that they could finish with a similar record and have a tough choice to make. 

UCLA: Chip Kelly Wants Out

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UCLA may have made the biggest mistake of the coaching carousel cycle a couple of months ago. They let a win over USC save Chip Kelly's job after it had been reported he was set to be fired. He has since repaid them by bringing in the second-worst recruiting class in the Big Ten, and has been interviewing for coordinator jobs at the NFL level. Had they moved on, they could have hired Jeff Fisch who is now at Washington, or Jonathan Smith who is at Michigan State. 

Utah: Aging Coach

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Utah is one of the program's in a great spot roster-wise, but Kyle Whittingham could be looking for an out after this season. He has publicly stated he doesn't see himself coaching past 65 years old, and he will be hitting that mark in November.

USC: Mounting Pressure

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After appearing in the Pac-12 title game a couple of seasons ago, the Trojans took a step back this past season. Lincoln Riley parted ways with defensive coordinator Alex Grinch in a move that was about three years too late, and now the pressure is on the Trojans who lost Caleb Williams and are moving to the Big Ten to contend. 

Arizona: Staff Changes

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Jedd Fisch left for the Washington job, and while they did retain a chunk of their core players there is still some unknown as to how they will do. Football-wise, they should be in as good a position as any, and can contend for the Big 12.

Oregon: Need To Take The Next Step

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Oregon may have had its best offseason in program history. Dan Lanning turned down the biggest opening in college football, which is something that hadn't happened for the Ducks. They also brought in a top-three recruiting class and transfer portal class. They were viewed as one of the best teams in the country this past season but were unable to show it when it mattered most.  

Washington: Everyone Left

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The Huskies had a spectacular season and found themselves winning the Pac-12, and appearing in the title game. However, Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama, and the majority of their roster left in the portal or NFL Draft. Jedd Fisch knows a thing or two about rebuilding, but no one would have expected them to return just two starters in 2024.