Pac-12 football power rankings for 2023 season

College Football HQ predicts the order of finish and offers preseason power rankings as we look ahead to the 2023 kickoff

One of the bigger days on the college football preseason calendar is here as the Pac-12 embarks on its Media Day, with plenty of major questions to be asked about the future of the conference, including whether or not some teams could depart in the absence of a media deal that its members will want.

This also marks the final season we'll see USC and UCLA in the Pac-12 as those schools look ahead to joining the Big Ten in time for next fall's kickoff. But before then, we could see some of the nation's best quarterbacking as the Pac-12 plays host to some of the best collection of talent at the position this coming season.

Media members announced their predictions in the annual preseason media poll, with USC selected to finish as the conference champion, receiving 25 first-place votes, followed by Washington, defending league champ Utah, and then Oregon rounding out the top four in the rankings.

Now, College Football HQ takes a stab at predicting the conference power rankings and projected order of finish ahead of the 2023 season.

Pac-12 Football Power Rankings for 2023 Season

12. Stanford

Where Stanford was: 3-9 (1-8 Pac-12)

Where Stanford is now: What are some realistic goals as the Cardinal looks to install first-year head coach Troy Taylor as he takes over for David Shaw? Stanford fans will have to be patient as Taylor brings on a new quarterback who will be limited in experience at the helm of an offense that struggled a year ago. Defensively, this team allowed over 36 points per game in conference play and loses key contributors. This year is about building a foundation.

11. Colorado

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Where Colorado was: 1-11 (1-8 Pac-12)

Where Colorado is now: Who knows, really. No other program, arguably ever, has undergone this amount of roster overhaul at every position, thanks to the transfer portal. Deion Sanders lost a ton going out, but he also gained plenty, too, including proper talent like his son, Shedeur, at quarterback, and cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter, both over from Jackson State. Colorado ranks No. 1 in the College Football HQ Transfer Portal Team Rankings, so there's a lot to work with, but there's also a tough schedule out of the gate.

10. Arizona State

Where Arizona State was: 3-9 (2-7 Pac-12)

Where Arizona State is now: Kenny Dillingham steps into the head coach role with the Sun Devils after building a solid reputation building offenses, especially at Oregon most recently. He has his work cut out with a projected five offensive starters returning and a decision at quarterback between transfer Drew Pyne and freshman Jaden Rashada. Other transfers should help ease the turnover on defense, a unit that allowed 34.4 points in conference games last season.

9. California

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Where Cal was: 4-8 (2-7 Pac-12

Where Cal is now: Justin Wilcox needs to engineer a plan to score more points, otherwise his defense will struggle again as it did a year ago trying to carry the load in the absence of a consistent attack. The addition of TCU transfer quarterback Sam Jackson is a step in the right direction, a dual threat piece who should pair well with transfer tailback Byron Cardwell. Jackson has a valuable target in Jeremiah Hunter, who went for 965 yards and five touchdowns last season.

8. Arizona

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Where Arizona was: 5-7 (3-6 Pac-12)

Where Arizona is now: Just one win away from playing in a bowl game last season, the Wildcats could finally make the jump if their defense can get some more stops on a consistent basis while this offense looks to live up to its potential, led by quarterback Jayden de Laura and receiving targets like Jacob Cowing and Tetairoa McMillan, who went over 1,300 yards and 700 yards, respectively, a year ago. But the transfer of wideout Dorian Singer to USC hurts, and Arizona's D returns an expected three starters and allowed almost 37 points per game.

7. Washington State

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Where Wazzu was: 7-6 (4-5 Pac-12)

Where Wazzu is now: The only thing holding back Cameron Ward from possibly becoming a household name last season was the condition of the Cougars' offensive line, which allowed 46 sacks. But given the time to throw the ball, which may come after some key transfer additions here, Ward could blossom into one of the nation's most dynamic passers, already boasting plenty of play-making ability with his legs. Replacements at wide receiver are key, but Washington State has several new arrivals, including Josh Kelly and JUCO pickup DT Sheffield, in addition to tailback Nakia Watson, who can work in the passing game, too, after catching four TD passes while running for nine.

6. UCLA

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Where UCLA was: 9-4 (6-3 Pac-12)

Where UCLA is now: Looking for a lot of answers offensively after losing its two playmakers from last season, especially at quarterback. Three contenders are in play there, including junior Ethan Garbers, transfer Collin Schlee, and blue-chip freshman recruit Dante Moore. But they're playing behind a line that loses three starters. Defense is arguably the bigger question, though, with new play-caller D'Anton Lynn stepping in to lead a unit that returns an expected eight starters, but struggled against the pass, ranking 116th in college football, and allowed 25 passing touchdowns total last fall.

5. Oregon State

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Where Oregon State was: 10-3 (6-3 Pac-12)

Where Oregon State is now: A serious up-and-comer nationally, the Beavers have been making important strides under coach Jonathan Smith and now have a potential game-breaker at quarterback after DJ Uiagalelei transferred over from Clemson. The former five-star prospect didn't fit in at his first school, but brings a skill set that could open this offense up and spread defenses out while the Beavers look to install new pieces on the outside.

4. Utah

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Where Utah was: 10-4 (7-2 Pac-12), Pac-12 champion

Where Utah is now: Losing the likes of cornerback Clark Phillips, running back Tavion Thomas, and tight end Dalton Kincaid aren't ideal for the Utes, but the return of quarterback Cameron Rising and target Brant Kuithe for a sixth season certainly are. Rising tore his ACL in the Rose Bowl, but should be ready for the opener against Florida. And despite losing Phillips, this defense returns an expected eight starters from a year ago and should once again be among the Pac-12's best.

3. Oregon

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Where Oregon was: 10-3 (7-2 Pac-12)

Where Oregon is now: There were plenty of holes to fill on this roster after some notable departures, but Dan Lanning did an admirable job of patching them up, including the acquisition of transfer edge rusher Jordan Burch, among 15 incoming transfers on a top-10 portal class this offseason. Linebacker and corner are areas in need of improvement, as is offensive line after losing four starters, but the return of quarterback Bo Nix is vital after he spearheaded a renaissance on this side of the ball last season, throwing for 3,593 yards and 29 touchdowns while running for 14 more scores. Nix plus tailback Bucky Irving and wideout Troy Franklin equals one of college football's best triplets.

2. Washington

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Where Washington was: 11-2 (7-2 Pac-12)

Where Washington is now: Kalen DeBoer resurrected the Huskies program from 4 to 11 wins last season thanks in huge part to quarterback Michael Penix, a Heisman contender who is back in 2023. And he'll notably have a very strong receiving corps coming back, one that can lay claim to being the best in the nation. Jalen McMillan and Rome Odunze return with a combined 2,243 yards and 16 touchdowns of production. But how well can Washington improve its pass coverage, which struggled against quality opponents, and could be the difference for this team really getting into the Pac-12 title race.

1. USC

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Where USC was: 11-3 (8-1 Pac-12)

Where USC is now: Everybody knows what the Trojans do and don't do well. Heisman quarterback Caleb Williams returns to make a run at a second trophy while leading an attack that could very well be the nation's best, but needs to replace three blockers on the line to keep him sturdy in the pocket. Southern Cal's defense is the question: it allowed almost 30 points per game, around 43 percent conversion on third down, and almost five yards per carry on the ground, amid an avalanche of missed tackles. Tighten things up on D and get through a tough schedule, and USC should be in the playoff race again.

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