SI Pac-12 Preseason Power Rankings: UCLA starts in middle of the pack
The Fan Nation and Sports Illustrated publishers of the Pac-12 have come together to lay out the hierarchy of the conference heading into Week 0.
UCLA football came in at No. 6 in the preseason edition of the SI Pac-12 Power Rankings, without receiving a single first-place vote from the six pollsters. The highest the Bruins were ranked was at No. 5 via All Bruins, while All Sun Devils and Ducks Digest had them one spot behind at No. 6. All Trojans, Husky Maven and Cal Sports Report all penciled UCLA in at No. 7.
Here are the full preseason power rankings, as well as some brief thoughts from each of the publishers:
SI PAC-12 PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS
1. Oregon, 68 points (4 first-place votes)
2. USC, 67 (1)
3. Washington, 59
4. Utah, 53 (1)
5. Arizona State, 51
6. UCLA, 40
7. Cal, 35
8. Stanford, 30
9. Colorado, 26
10. Oregon State, 17
11. Washington State, 14
12. Arizona, 8
DONNIE DRUIN, ALL SUN DEVILS
1. Oregon; 2. USC; 3. Washington; 4. Arizona State; 5. Utah; 6. UCLA; 7. Cal; 8. Colorado; 9. Stanford; 10. Oregon State; 11. Washington State; 12. Arizona
Comment: The Pac-12 are the only conference to not have an odds-on favorite to bring home the title heading into the season, showcasing just how wide open the conference is. Heavyweights such as Oregon/USC/Washington are a must in any preseason top three, while programs such as Arizona State and Utah have the ability to make a push for a conference title as well. Watch out for teams such as UCLA and Colorado as sneaky dark horse teams as well.
JAKE CURTIS, CAL SPORTS REPORT
1. Utah; 2. USC; 3. Oregon; 4. Arizona State; 5. Washington; 6. Cal; 7. UCLA; 8. Stanford; 9. Washington State; 10. Colorado; 11. Oregon State; 12. Arizona
Comment: Utah has the best defense in the conference, and should be more than adequate at quarterback, whether it’s Charlie Brewer or Cam Rising. That’s enough in a conference where no team is dominant. USC has the best quarterback (Kedon Slovis) and a favorable conference schedule, which gives the Trojans an edge over Oregon. The only certainty in the Pac-12 is that Arizona is the worst team.
MAX TORRES, DUCKS DIGEST
1. Oregon; 2. USC; 3. Washington; 4. Arizona State; 5. Utah; 6. UCLA; 7. Cal; 8. Stanford; 9. Colorado; 10. Oregon State; 11. Washington State; 12. Arizona
Comment: The top and bottom three of these rankings probably won't surprise many, as Oregon's effort on the recruiting trail is really starting to pay off in sharpening the on-field product. The No. 10 spot is interesting with Oregon State since the Beavers beat Oregon last season and have brought in some really talented transfers. I think UCLA is probably the team I could see breaking into the top quarter of the rankings, and I gave Utah the edge because Whittingham is a solid coach. The Bruins only went 3-4 last season, but they lost a lot of close games and have a strong quarterback in Dorian Thompson-Robinson returning to lead the way.
SAM CONNON, ALL BRUINS
1. Oregon; 2. USC; 3. Washington; 4. Utah; 5. UCLA; 6. Stanford; 7. Arizona State; 8. California; 9. Colorado; 10. Oregon State; 11. Arizona; 12. Washington State
Comment: I know I'm probably lower on Arizona State than most people, but I stand by it. The Sun Devils' two wins last season came against teams that went a combined 2-10, so a lot of the so-called momentum they picked up at the end of last year seems inflated. Jayden Daniels also regressed in every major statistical passing category. Overall, they aren't bad, they just need to prove themselves a lot more to warrant any kind of praise in 2021.
CLAUDETTE MONTANA PATTISON, ALL TROJANS
1. Oregon; 2. USC; 3. Washington; 4. Arizona State; 5. Utah; 6. Colorado; 7. UCLA; 8. Stanford; 9. Cal; 10. Washington State; 11. Arizona; 12. Oregon State
Comment: I believe it's fair to predict that Oregon, USC and Washington will finish atop the Pac-12 conference this year with a possible USC vs. Oregon Pac-12 Championship rematch. Arizona State, Utah, UCLA and Colorado are also four teams that I anticipate being highly competitive this season.
DAN RALEY, HUSKY MAVEN
1. USC; 2. Washington; 3. Oregon; 4. Arizona State; 5. Utah; 6. California; 7. UCLA; 8. Oregon State; 9. Stanford; 10. Colorado; 11. Washington State; 12. Arizona
Comment: In these uncertain times of realignment, alliance and playoff expansion, USC should be the Pac-12 favorite every year, with 2021 no exception. This would be the best way for the conference to protect itself from dilution, sell itself some sort of Big Ten and ACC consolidation and become playoff relevant. Around the league, each of the top contenders have proven quarterbacks to lead them.
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