College Football Preview 2017-2018: Previewing the Pac-12

Myles Gaskin, Washington

Pac-12 Conference

2016 In Review: Prior to last season, Washington was viewed as a possible dark horse in the Pac-12 race, but a team with a ton of youth and inexperience. The Huskies didn't disappoint, putting together a nearly flawless regular season and going on win the Pac-12 and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. They were able to propel themselves past North Division powers such as Stanford, who they dominated, and Oregon, who struggled mightily en route to a 4-8 season and last place finish in the division. On the other side of the conference, an even bigger surprise managed to play their way into the Pac-12 Championship Game. Colorado had won just ten games their previous three seasons combined before breaking out in 2016, going 10-4 and losing just one regular season game in the conference. They would eventually lose to UW handily in the Championship, but it was still a huge breakthrough for Mike MacIntrye and the Buffs. USC meanwhile started off the year going nowhere, at 1-3, before winning their final nine games and beating Big Ten Champ Penn State in the Rose Bowl. UCLA, much like Oregon, was a surprise in the complete wrong way, as the preseason Top 25 team limped to a 4-8 record.

Ranking the Pac-12 (click on Top 25 teams for more in-depth previews)

North Division

1. Washington Huskies (National Rank: 6)
Washington's 12-2 breakthrough in 2016 certainly was a surprise, but the Huskies proved they were legit by dominating Colorado in the Pac-12 Championship Game and going toe-to-toe with Alabama for much of the Peach Bowl. They sent off a number of playmakers to the NFL, including speedy quick wide out John Ross and three starters in their secondary, but this the cupboard is far from bare in Seattle. Junior quarterback Jake Browning won Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year last season and should once more engineer one of the nation's most explosive units. He'll be aided by a great 1-2 punch at tailback that includes junior Myles Gaskin and senior Lavon Coleman, along with a receivers corps spearheaded by senior Dante Pettis, who makes a living making tough, circus catches. The defense may undergo somewhat of a rebuild to begin 2017, but D-coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski should get it going in no time. Junior nose tackle Vita Vea and linebackers Azeem Victor and Keishawn Bierria will keep the rush defense very stout, while the Huskies are excited about possible breakout candidates Taylor Rapp and Byron Murphy in the secondary. With all that Washington has returning and a schedule that includes a very soft non-conference slate and won't have to play USC, the Huskies looked primed to once more win the North. If their defense can find some new weapons quickly, another trip to the Playoff could also be in the cards.

2. Stanford Cardinal (National Rank: 21)
After a four game stretch that saw them lose three games, including bad losses to Washington and Washington State, Stanford could have easily quit on the 2016 season. However, head coach David Shaw decided to move veteran Keller Chryst into the starting QB role, and the season changed. Stanford won six straight, and handled UNC in the Sun Bowl (without superstar running back Christian McCaffrey) to finish off 10-3. McCaffrey made the expected jump to the NFL, but expect junior Bryce Love, who played terrific in his absence, to have no issues taking over featured back duties. Chryst tore his ACL in that Sun Bowl and his status for the start of this year is still uncertain, but when he does come back, he'll have a solid receivers corps to through to (including junior Trenton Irwin and junior tight end Dalton Schultz), while operating behind a very experienced and deep O-Line. The Cardinal's defense took a step back last season, but should be up to their usual tricks in 2017. Senior defensive tackle Harrison Phillips sets the tone on the D-Line, while nearly everybody is back in at linebacker. The pass defense was just average last season, but cornerbacks Quenton Meeks and Alijah Holder should help it evolve into a strength. Stanford has become one of this conference's most consistent winners and while losing McCaffrey will obviously hurt, they are still serious threats in the North. If the aerial attack and pass defense does improve, they might even have a chance to overtake UW in the division.

3. Washington State Cougars
Once again, Washington State opened their season slowly, losing to an FCS team, as Eastern Washington stunned them at home 45-42. However, in typical Mike Leach fashion, the Cougars heated up significantly, winning eight straight to put themselves back in North title contention. Three straight losses (including a bowl loss to Minnesota in which they managed just 12 points) to end the season were frustrating, but the Cougars still finished off 8-5 overall and second in the division. This team could be even better in 2017, thanks in large part to the return of gunslinger Luke Falk. Falk has operated Washington State's air raid attack nearly flawlessly over the past two seasons, including throwing for 4,468 yards and 38 touchdowns last year. He will have a talented group of receivers to throw the ball to, including senior Robert Lewis and junior Tavares Martin, essentially ensuring the Cougars' pass attack will once again be one of the nation's best. Leach has worked hard to improve the other side of the ball over his tenure in Pullman, and the group could be the best it has been since he took over. Junior Hercules Mata'afa is a difference-maker on the defensive line, while nearly everybody returns to an improving secondary, including shutdown corner Darrien Molton, who already has two years of starting experience under his belt. The Cougars may not have the depth or talent of their in-state rival Washington, but this team is still certainly a contender in this conference, particularly with Falk at the helm. If they can pull an upset or two and not have the poor start to the season they've had the last few years, they have a chance at their first double-digit win season since Leach took over.

4. Oregon Ducks
It seems like ages ago Oregon was battling Ohio State for the National Championship in 2014-2015. The Ducks, once the Pac-12's top program, have seemingly fallen off a cliff in the two years since, going 9-4 in 2015 then suffering through a miserable 2016 in which they went 4-8 and at one point lost five straight. Former South Florida head coach was brought in after Chip Kelly disciple Mark Helfrich was let go. Taggart's main goal is to improve a defense that was absolutely terrible in '16, finishing 126th nationally. He brought in Jim Leavitt to run the defense, after Leavitt led a very successful D at Colorado this past season. There is plenty of talent in the secondary and Miami transfer Scott Pagano should improve the D-Line, but there is still a long way to go. On offense, Oregon isn't what they once were in the peak-Chip Kelly days, but they can still score in a hurry. Sophomore QB Justin Hebert took over mid-season and played very well, with 1,936 yards and 14 touchdowns. He'll be helped by speedy senior Charles Nelson and talented sophomore Dillon Mitchell on the outside, but Oregon will be without Darren Carrington. Carrington, one of the conference's top receivers when healthy, was kicked off the team followed a DUI arrest. At running back, the Ducks should be as dangerous as ever, as senior Royce Freeman is back, after running for 945 yards and nine touchdowns in 2016. There should be some notable improvement this season in Eugene, but the defense is still a major work in progress, and Herbert is still learning the ins-and-outs of the offense. They should be able to get back to a bowl game, but expecting them to contend for a division title in Taggart's first season would be asking a little too much.

5. Oregon State Beavers
The Beavers did go 4-8 in 2016, but there was significant progress for Gary Andersen and the rest of this coaching staff. Andersen, formerly the head man at Utah State and Wisconsin, suffered through a 2-10 debut with Oregon State in 2015, but last year's edition resembled more the type of team he wants it to be: physical and hard-nosed. Junior tailback Ryan Nall is one of the country's most underrated rushers; the powerful runner had 951 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and should be dangerous once more. He'll hope to take some pressure off QB Jake Luton, a junior college transfer expected to take over starting duties. Expect junior Marcus McMaryion, who had 1,286 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2016, to push Luton. The Beavers should have a decent group of receivers to throw the ball to, as senior Jordan Villamin and junior Seth Collins return. Collins, who is a converted quarterback, is as athletic and quick as they come at the position, and Oregon State will look for him to create some big plays. On defense, the Beavers were decent a year ago and return a number of difference-makers. Senior end Baker Pritchard and junior outside linebacker Bright Ugwoegbu are expected to cause plenty of chaos up front, while the secondary brings back rising sophomore corner Xavier Crawford and various other pieces from the fourth-best pass defense in the Pac-12. Andersen is still rebuilding the Beavers, and this team still doesn't appear to be a serious threat in the North just yet. However, if they can find a quarterback to spread the ball out to some of their weapons on the outside they could take some big steps forward, and likely make their first postseason bid under the third-year head coach.

6. California Golden Bears
It's a new day in Berkeley, as California decided to move on from head coach Sonny Dykes and replace him with former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox. Wilcox has proven himself as one of the brightest defensive minds in the sport, but it will be interesting to see how he handles a head coaching gig at a school whose finances are known to be very poor. Cal will likely move away from the air raid offense that Dykes utilized, but still run up-tempo. Sophomore Ross Bowers is competing with junior Chase Forrest to take over the starting quarterback job, after Texas Tech transfer Davis Webb graduated. Senior running back Tre Watson, who ran for 709 yards last year, will head the rushing attack, while sophomores Melquise Stovall and Demetrius Robertson will take over at receiver after star wide out Chad Hansen departs. On defense, the Golden Bears brought in former Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter to be their new D-coordinator, and he has plenty of work to do, as Cal finished 127th nationally in points allowed, and 125th in total defense in 2016. The good news is that nearly everybody returns to the front seven, including senior Devante Downs (84 tackles) and junior Cameron Saffle (four sacks). The secondary could still be a problem, but Cal is hopeful sophomore Evan Rambo can recover from a torn ACL and be an impact player for this team. As the Golden Bear shift away from the Dykes era, they may not have quite the prolific offenses they once had, but expect a more balanced, disciplined team. But, expect some growing pains as they adjust to Wilcox and some of the new schemes in place. A last place finish in the division seems highly likely.

South Division

1. USC Trojans (National Rank: 2)
After leading the Trojans to nine straight victories and tossing five touchdowns in the Rose Bowl win, sophomore Sam Darnold will enter 2017 as likely the Heisman frontrunner. Darnold has displayed impressive poise and confidence since taking over the starting QB job, and he should put up huge numbers spreading the ball around to USC's plethora of playmakers. That includes dynamic running back Ronald Jones II, a junior who should have a huge year now that he doesn't have to split carries, along with junior Deontay Burnett and sophomore Michael Pittman Jr. at receiver. If there is a concern on the offense, it is the O-Line, which loses three starters and long-time staples Zach Banner and Chad Wheeler. On defense, the Trojans are also blessed with talent at all three levels, and stocked to the brim with future NFL talent. Up front junior Rasheem Green is viewed by many as a breakout candidate, while physical nose tackle Kenny Bigelow is healthy after suffering his second torn ACL in 2016. Junior outside linebacker Porter Gustin is one of the top pass rushers in the conference, while junior inside linebacker Cameron Smith is an absolute tackling machine. The secondary must move on from Jim Thorpe Award winner Adoree' Jackson (given to the nation's best defensive back), but junior corner Iman Marshall and senior safety Chris Hawkins should keep the unit a notable strength. Second-year head coach Clay Helton has a very complete team to work with, and with Darnold leading the way, the sky is the limit for the Trojans. If they can stay healthy and patch up the offensive line, they could earn entry to the Playoff for the first time in school history.

2. UCLA Bruins (National Rank: 23)
The Bruins were one of the nation's most disappointing teams a season ago, as they slipped to a 4-8 record, as injuries and inexperience crippled them. The second straight season of declining win totals (they went 8-5 in 2015) has left some Bruins' fans wondering about the program's direction under head coach Jim Mora, but this team has the tools to return to conference title contention. First off, junior QB Josh Rosen is healthy once again after missing most of '16 with shoulder problems. Rosen was very impressive as a true frosh in 2015, and the former five-star recruit has the accuracy, smarts and overall swagger to be a top QB in the country. However, he'll be on his third offensive coordinator in as many years, as Jedd Fisch arrives from Michigan, and will also have to make due with an offensive line that has been very porous in recent years (but does bring back three starters). On defense, UCLA was pretty solid last season but watched as a number of their top contributors left to the NFL. The D-Line is the least experienced part of this roster, but UCLA is hoping youngsters like Osa Odighizuwa and Jaelen Phillips, considered one of the nation's top recruits, can step up right away. Senior linebacker Kenny Young will play a huge role as UCLA's top returning tackler and leader in sacks, while the defensive backfield does include possible All-Conference candidates Jaleel Wadood and Nate Meadors. There may be some pressure on the Bruins this season, as the program has not lived up to some lofty expectations over the past few years. However, a healthy Rosen can make a huge difference, and there is enough talent throughout the roster that UCLA should be able to stick in the Pac-12 South race for much of the year.

3. Utah Utes
After a tough transition to the Pac-12 early on, Utah has become one of the conference's more consistent programs, and is coming off a good, not great, 2016 in which they went 9-4. Despite the solid season, head coach Kyle Whittingham made some big changes this off-season, focused on improving a mediocre offense. New OC Troy Taylor will be Utah's eighth OC in nine seasons, and will change up the look of this offense in a big way. Instead of the conservative, pro-style approach the Utes have run for years, this team will look to spread things out and be aggressive. Whittingham further showed his commitment to this new scheme by surprisingly naming sophomore Tyler Huntley the starter at QB over senior Troy Williams, a team captain and a guy who passed for 2,757 yards last year. We haven't seen Huntley in much real-time game action but Utah coaches have raved about the young QB and he is a real dual threat. Utah must find a replacement for back Joe Williams, who came out of retirement mid-year in 2016 and ran wild, finishing with 1,407 yards. Utah has long prided themselves on the defensive side of the ball, and they should be stout once more this season. Senior defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei is a future NFL draft pick and the younger brother of former Ute star, and current Carolina Panther. He'll be helped by fellow veteran Kylie Fitts, who should take over a defensive end spot after missing most of 2016 with a foot injury. In the secondary, the Utes are hoping for overall more consistency, and should be better, with junior safety Chase Hansen and sophomore cornerback Julian Blackmon both possible breakout candidates. Amazingly, Utah is the only Pac-12 South team that has not won the division since the conference expanded six years ago. It is hard to see them breaking that trend in 2017, but this team is always physical and well-prepared. They'll once more win 9-10 games and finish in the middle of the pack in the division.

4. Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado's breakthrough 2016 was stunning not only because the program had struggled for so long, but because it was orchestrated by a mostly veterans, who had not experienced a winning culture in Boulder prior to last year. QB Sefo Liufau, the leading passer in Colorado history, put together a marvelous year, back Phillip Lindsay exploded on to the scene and an experienced defense finished off 19th in the country in total defense. Unfortunately, a large number of those veterans head out, which likely means Colorado will fall back a bit in 2017. Liufau will be replaced by sophomore Steven Montez, who did see a decent amount of action last year, finishing with 1,078 yards and nine touchdowns. Montez doesn't have Liufau's accuracy or feel for the game just yet, but he has a rocket of an arm and can really scorch defenses when he's on his game. Lindsay is an important returnee at running back, as he returns following a 1,252-yard, 16 TD campaign in 2016. At receiver, the Buffaloes have more than a few options to through to, as seniors Bryce Bobo, Shay Fields and Devin Ross are all back. The defense is likely going to be the unit that takes the bigger step back, as they lose their coordinator (Jim Leavitt took the same gig at Oregon) and a number of other difference-makers. The defensive line is especially concerning, as the Buffs lose nearly everybody and will have to rely on mostly unproven names. Junior linebacker Rick Gamboa will play a huge role in run support and is the the team's top returning tackler, but the secondary is also an issue. Only one starter returns, and Colorado loses NFL draftee Chidobe Awuzie, their top cover corner. As exciting as 2016 was for the Buffaloes, it's hard to imagine them replicating it this season. However, the offense should still be pretty dangerous and head coach Mike MacIntrye has greatly improved this team defensively over the years on the recruiting trail. They won't be winning the division title, but another bowl game and 7-8 victories seems about right.

5. Arizona State Sun Devils
Following a 5-1 start to 2016, Arizona State promptly fell apart, losing their final six games, including a very harrowing loss to in-state rival Arizona to finish the year, killing their bowl chances. The major collapse in the second half of the year has led many to question Todd Graham's job security, but the coach enters 2017 with the same confidence he always has had in Tempe. Perhaps it is the addition of Alabama transfer Blake Barnett that has Graham still very confident. Barnett was a huge get when 'Bama got him, but he was never able to lock down the starting gig. He should be an upgrade at the position over incumbent starter Manny Wilkins, who fell apart down the stretch. Barnett will be joined by plenty of other prime offensive talent, including a dangerous 1-2 punch at running back, with seniors Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage. Richard is more of the team's every-down back, but Ballage has proven he can be quite dominant himself, such as when he ran for a whopping seven touchdowns in a win over Texas Tech last season. Sophomore wide out N'Keal Harry is a dangerous weapon on the outside who had 659 receiving yards as a true frosh and is only getting better. The Sun Devils need to figure out their defense, which has lagged well behind the offense over Graham's tenure. They have a new DC in Phil Bennett, who ran Art Briles' defenses at Baylor and is well known for being aggressive and blitz-heavy. He does have plenty of talent to work with, including junior defensive end JoJo Wicker and senior outside 'backer Koron Crump, who had nine sacks last season. The secondary also has plenty of experience and playmakers, namely junior cornerback Kareem Orr and senior safety Marcus Ball. Arizona State may be coming off a 5-7 campaign, but this team has legitimate talent on both sides of the ball. If they can fix some of their defensive woes and Barnett can be a stud at quarterback, they should be able to make their way into a bowl game, and perhaps even be a serious dark horse in the division.

6. Arizona Wildcats

Nick Wilson, Arizona

Since making a New Year's Six Bowl in 2014-2015, things have quickly soured in Tuscson, as the Wildcats gave gone 7-6 and then slipped to a 3-9 mark last year. There were a number of reasons for the team's huge dropoff last season, from injuries to an ineffective offense. Head coach Rich Rodriguez's first order of business will be figuring out who his quarterback is. Two-year starter Anu Solomon transferred to Baylor, leaving it up to either junior Brandon Dawkins or sophomore Khalil Tate. Both are very dangerous with their legs, but neither has proven themselves to be much of a passer. At running back, Arizona is hoping senior Nick Wilson and sophomore J.J. Taylor can lead the way. Wilson ran for 1,375 yards as a freshman but has missed significant time over the past two seasons with injuries, while Taylor is recovering from a broken ankle himself. Junior Shun Brown (521 yards, three touchdowns in '16) and senior Cam Denson should give whoever wins the QB job something to throw to. On defense, Arizona does bring back a decent amount of talent, but this group was pretty bad last season. Senior Parker Zellers and linebacker DeAndre' Miller give them some bite up front, but the real pressure is on the secondary, which was 117th in the country in pass defense a season ago. Three starters are returning, however, including terrific cornerbacks Jarvis McCall Jr. and junior Jace Whittaker. Much like their in-state rival Arizona State, the Wildcats have dropped off significantly since their respective division title, leaving Rich Rod searching for answers. If the passing game can ignite, Arizona is can be dangerous but unless the defense takes some major steps forward (allowed 44.8 PPG in their eight conference losses) it's hard to imagine the 'Cats returning to a bowl.

All-Pac 12 Team
First Team
QB Sam Darnold, USC
RB Royce Freeman, Oregon
RB Myles Gaskin, Washington
WR N'Keal Harry, Arizona State
WR Dante Pettis, Washington
TE Dalton Schultz, Stanford
OL Trey Adams, Washintgon
OL Tyrell Crosby, Oregon
OL Coleman Shelton, Washington
OL Cole Madison, Washington State
OL Viane Talamaivo, USC
DL Harrison Phillips, Stanford
DL Vita Vea, Washington
DL Lowell Lotulelei, Utah
DL Rasheem Green, USC
LB Cameron Smith, USC
LB Azeem Victor, Washington
LB Kenny Young, UCLA
CB Iman Marshall, USC
CB Quenton Meeks, Stanford
S Taylor Rapp, Washington
S Justin Reid, Stanford

Second Team
QB Jake Browning, Washington
RB Phillip Lindsay, Colorado
RB Ronald Jones II, USC
WR Tavares Martin, Washington State
WR Darren Andrews, UCLA
TE Drew Sample, Washington
OL Cody O'Connell, Washington State
OL Nate Herbig, Stanford
OL Jeromy Irwin, Colorado
OL Scott Quessenbery, UCLA
OL David Bright, Stanford
DL Hercules Mata'afa, Washington State
DL Greg Gaines, Washington
DL Kylie Fitts, Utah
DL JoJo Wicker, Arizona State
LB Porter Gustin, USC
LB Koron Crump, Arizona State
LB Troy Dye, Oregon
CB Alijah Holder, Stanford
CB Darrien Molton, Washington State
S Chase Hansen, Utah
S Chris Hawkins, USC

Projected Awards
Conference Championship: USC over Washington
Offensive Player of the Year: Sam Darnold, USC
Defensive Player of the Year: Azeem Victor, Washington
Newcomer of the Year: Blake Barnett, Arizona State
Coach of the Year: Clay Helton, USC

College Football Preview 2017-2018: 2. USC Trojans

2. USC Trojans

With Darnold at the helm, they have to be the Pac-12 favorites

Location: Los Angeles, CA. Conference: Pac-12 (South) Schedule Roster Coach: Clay Helton (second year) Last Years Record: 10-3 (7-2 Pac-12) Bowl Result: Victory in Rose Bowl Overview To describe USC's start to 2016 as frustrating or bad may not do it justice. The Trojans looked absolutely lost, opening the year with a 52-6 drubbing at the hands of Alabama and lost to conference foes Stanford and Utah to start the year 1-3. First-year head coach Clay Helton, who was already considered on the hot seat, decided to make a switch at QB, opting for redshirt freshman Sam Darnold over veteran Max Browne. That simple switch ignited the Trojans, who would go on to win their final nine games, win the Rose Bowl, and defeat eventual Pac-12 Champ Washington. After that impressive nine-game stretch can Darnold and USC do it for an entire season? With the talent dotting this roster, there is no reason why they can't, and make a run at their first National Championship appearance since the Matt Leinart/Reggie Bush days. Sam Darnold Offense: Darnold didn't arrive with the fanfare of Max Browne or Arkansas transfer Ricky Town (who came to Southern Cal, saw Darnold, and promptly transferred) but after just one season, hopes to etch his name as one of the greatest quarterbacks in 'SC history. That may seem like a bit of hyperbole, but Darnold is that good. He tossed for 3,086 yards and 31 touchdowns a year ago, while completing nearly 68% of his passes. What makes the young quarterback so impressive is his poise and confidence; despite staring down some impressive defenses in his first year he always stayed calm and collected. That will obviously be key for a Trojans team that has National Title aspirations. If Darnold can put together another huge year and come up big on National TV against opponents like Texas and Notre Dame, he has a very good shot at winning the Heisman. Darnold isn't the only Trojan who should have a big year, however. At running back, USC brings back dynamic junior Ronald Jones II, who will finally have the featured back role all to himself. Jones had 1,082 yards and 12 touchdowns while splitting carries with the departed Justin Davis, and is incredibly quick and blessed with excellent burst. With Darnold spreading defenses out with his huge arm, Jones should be able to take advantage of some huge holes to run through. At receiver, the Trojans will have to replace their top two receivers from a year ago in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Darreus Rogers. Smith-Schuster's final season in Southern Cal was considered somewhat of a disappointment but the wide out still managed 914 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Rogers proved to be a very reliable option as well (56 receptions, 696 yards). Junior Deontay Burnett should have no problem sliding into a bigger role in the offense. Burnett showed plenty of potential throughout 2016 but really started playing well near the end, especially when he hauled in three touchdowns in the Rose Bowl. He doesn't quite have Smith-Schuster's size but he's a good route runner and is great at finding ways to create space. Also back is senior Steven Mitchell, junior Jalen Greene and sophomore Michael Pittman. Mitchell is a long-time veteran still really waiting for his breakout year, while Greene showed flashes of brilliance a year ago, managing 116 yards on eight catches. Pittman has fans and coaches really excited because of his size (6'4") and terrific leaping ability. Unfortunately, Pittman went down with a high ankle sprain about a week ago, and it's expected he'll miss some time. Even if he does, his physical tools are impressive, and he could evolve into the Trojans' premier red zone threat. At tight end, sophomore Daniel Imatorbhebhe is returning following a solid 2016. The young pass-catcher had four touchdown receptions a year ago, while also displaying decent playmaking ability down the field, averaging 14.7 yards per catch. The offensive line could be a real question mark for USC this season, as the Trojans lose a number of long-time veterans, including tackles Zach Banner and Chad Wheeler, along with guard Damien Mama. Those losses almost certainly mean USC will undergo some growing pains along the unit, but there is no dearth of talent. Senior center Nico Falah is an important returnee in the heart of the group, while senior right guard Viane Talamaivo will also bring valuable experience. The tackle spots are no doubt the concerns, particularly in a conference with a number of terrific edge pass rushers. At left tackle, junior Chuma Edoga (appeared in two games last season) is the favorite to start, but will be pushed by newcomer Austin Jackson, a four-star find from Arizona. At right tackle, USC hopes someone can emerge from a group including junior Toa Lobendahn, sophomore Clayton Johnson or redshirt frosh Nathan Smith. Iman Marshall Defense: As the offense started heating up and playing very well after Darnold took over, the defense played much the same, putting together one of the toughest and stingiest groups in the Pac-12 over the last few weeks of the season. Now, defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast will have his guys in his system for another year, and should be more creative with how he gets after opponents. Up front, USC possesses one of the conference's best defensive lines, spearheaded by end Porter Gustin and junior tackle Rasheem Green. Gustin was considered by many (including me) as a possible breakout candidate for the Trojans last season and he didn't disappoint, racking up 5.5 sacks and 68 tackles. He'll have to play a huge role last season as USC struggled to get pressure on the QB last year, with just 8.5 sacks to their name. Green is an impressive talent who has drawn comparisons for former Trojan star and current NFL standout Leonard Williams with his incredibly high motor and ability to move up and down the D-Line. He'll likely be joined by fellow tackle Kenny Bigelow, who missed most of 2016 with a torn ACL but is a very solid pass rusher when healthy. The linebacker corps is going to be led by junior Cameron Smith. Smith was the first USC linebacker to start as a true freshman since 1978, and has not disappointed. The veteran led the Trojans in tackles a year ago (83) and has been All-Conference each of the past two seasons. He doesn't get a whole lot of national attention, but Smith is one of the better linebackers in the country and a key cog for this defense. Sophomore Jordan Iosefa is expected to replace the departed Michael Hutchins, who was third on the team in tackles. Iosefa is very young, but did appear in all 13 games a year ago for 'SC and impressed throughout the spring. The pairing of him and fellow sophomore John Houston should give the Trojans some real playmakers off the edge. At nickelback, USC brings back the ultra-versatile Ajene Harris, who emerged as a very important defender late in the year. Harris originally came to Southern Cal as a receiver but after redshirting in 2015 made the switch to the defensive side of the ball. He started the final four games of '16 and played very well, with 30 tackles and two interceptions. In the secondary, USC must reload after losing Jim Thorpe Award winner (given to the nation's best defensive back) Adoree' Jackson. Jackson was a highlight-reel waiting to happen, and his five interceptions a season ago really helped this defense. The good news is that USC does have junior corner Iman Marshall back, and the defensive back seems on the cusp of real stardom. A former five-star recruit, Marshall took some time to adjust to the Pac-12 before having a really impressive sophomore season, with 51 tackles and three interceptions. He doesn't have Jackson's speed or closing ability, but he's a more natural corner and should have zero issue sliding into the No. 1 CB role. Sophomore Jack Jones and newcomer Greg Johnson are expected to vie for the starting job at the opposite corner spot. Both safety spots should be in good hands, as senior Chris Hawkins is back at strong safety, while junior Marvell Tell returns at the free safety slot. Both have plenty of experience, particularly Hawkins, who has 146 tackles over the course of his three years at 'SC. Special Teams: After hitting the game-winning field goal in the Rose Bowl, kicker Matt Boermeester was hoping for a huge senior season. However, Boermeester was suspended in February for a "student code of conduct" matter before being kicked off the team in July. His departure leaves USC perilously thin at kicker, as redshirt freshman Michael Brown will battle newcomer Chase McGrath for the job. Senior punter Chris Tilby will help the ST unit, but losing Jackson, who had four total touchdowns in the return game, stings. For years since the Reggie Bush sanctions hit we have been waiting for the inevitable return of USC to national prominence. The team has teased us with big wins or supreme talent, but hasn't been able to quite get over the edge and return to the glory days of the early 2000s. Last year's team set the stage, going 10-3 and winning the Rose Bowl. Now, this year's edition looks like it is ready to lead the Trojans "back", and competing for National Championships again. Sam Darnold has a good chance of entering the season as a Heisman frontrunner, Jones is a superb running back and defensively, USC is very strong. The only concerns are on the O-Line and the schedule, which features a number of tough non-conference games, including Western Michigan, Texas and on the road against Notre Dame. Even so, this is the most balanced, most talented and most disciplined USC team we've seen in years. With Darnold leading the way, anything is possible, perhaps even the school's first National Title since 2004. Player to Watch Joseph Lewis, WR With USC leading their top two receivers from last season, and having to deal with the injury to likely starter Michael Pittman, the Trojans will likely have to turn to some young receivers, at least early on. Joseph Lewis is a five-star pickup that USC managed to keep away from Nebraska and Oregon, and a guy considered to the gem of this year's recruiting class. If the youngster can come in and contribute early, this USC offense should be very, very scary. Five-Year Trend 2012: 7-6 (5-4 Pac-12)* 2013: 10-4 (6-3 Pac-12)* 2014: 9-4 (6-3 Pac-12)* 2015: 8-6 (6-3 Pac-12)* 2016: 10-3 (7-2 Pac-12)* *= Bowl appearance

College Football Preview 2017-2018: 6. Washington Huskies

6. Washington Huskies

Petersen has built something in Seattle; a second straight Playoff berth is within reach

Location: Seattle, WA.  Conference: Pac-12 (North) Schedule Roster Coach: Chris Petersen (fourth year) Last Years Record: 12-2 (8-1 Pac-12) Bowl Result: Loss in Peach Bowl Overview When Chris Petersen decided to make the jump to Washington after years of leading Boise State, many assumed it was only a matter of time before he had the Huskies competing for Pac-12 titles. It took just three years for Washington to reach that level, as 2016 was a breakout campaign: a Pac-12 title, 12 wins, and a Playoff berth. Despite losing 24-7 to Alabama in the Peach Bowl and then watching a ton of talent leave for the NFL, there is no denying UW's upward trajectory. They have more than enough to be one of the nation's best teams once more in 2017, and a schedule that is favorable enough to dream about an undefeated season. Jake Browning Offense: After taking over the Huskies' quarterback job late in 2015, Jake Browning had a breakout '16. The junior engineered a big-play offense that was as versatile and diverse as any in the entire nation. He finished off the year with 3,430 yards and 43 touchdowns (while running for four more) and was in the Heisman conversation for much of the season. As he begins his second full year as starter, Browning will no doubt be among the nation's best quarterbacks, but must continue to improve when he gets pressured and play with poise. If those parts of his game can improve, there is no reason why the QB can't be in the Heisman race once more in 2017, particularly if he puts up those gaudy stats once more. At running back, Washington returns underrated junior Myles Gaskin. Most of the attention for Washington offensively was on that big-play passing attack, but Gaskin clearly played a huge role for this team as well, finishing off 2016 with 1,373 yards and 10 touchdowns. Standing at just 5'10", 190 pounds Gaskin won't bulldoze anybody but his elusiveness and speed are tough to match. He is still improving as an all-around back, getting better at blocking and catching the ball, but he should still have a big season. He will be joined in the backfield by senior Lavon Coleman and newcomer Salvon Ahmed. Coleman is a great change of pace from Gaskin, as the veteran is much more powerful and dangerous between the tackles. He quietly ran for 852 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago, while averaging 7.5 yards per carry, giving the Huskies one of the best 1-2 punches at tailback in the entire country. Ahmed is one of the big gets of the 2017 recruiting class and has a bright future in Seattle. On the outside, Washington must move on from John Ross III, who led the Huskies in receiving with 1,150 yards and was a Biletnikoff Award finalist before being drafted ninth in this spring's NFL Draft. Ross' unbelievable speed and electrifying athleticism opened up so many things for the Husky offense so his absence will hurt. However, Washington has plenty of back at receiver, and finding a new No. 1 target for Browning should not be very difficult. Senior Dante Pettis is heading for a big year after managing 822 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Pettis obviously doesn't have Ross' speed but finds ways to get open and has fabulousa hands. Joining Pettis will be junior Chico McClatcher, who had 705 all-purpose yards on the season. Just 5'7", McClatcher won't be making catches against huge Pac-12 defenders too often, but Washington is creative with how they get him the ball, and he is absolutely lethal in the open field. Sophomores Aaron Fuller and Quinten Pounds will both be expected to play larger roles after showing flashes of potential a year ago. Tight end doesn't play a huge role in the UW offense but it is still a luxury to have a returning starter there, as junior Drew Sample is back (9 receptions, 106 yards in 2016). On the offensive line, the Huskies lose All-Pac-12 linemen in guard Jake Eldrenkamp. That will leave Washington searching for new leadership, but the unit should still be very good. Senior center Coleman Shelton is an absolute force up the middle, while junior left tackle Trey Adams is a star, and will be playing on Sundays very soon. At Eldrenkamp's absent left guard spot, senior Andrew Kirkland, who appeared in all 14 games last season, is the favorite to start. Vita Vea Defense: When an offense is as dangerous and fun to watch as Washingtons was last season, it's natural for that to get most of the attention. But, Washington's strength last season was actually their defense, which allowed just 17.7 points per game, which was tops in the Pac-12 and eighth nationally. They further proved they were legit by completely shutting down Alabama for much of their Peach Bowl duel, then sending off a number of stars to the next level. Some of those losses to the NFL will almost certainly sting, but Petersen's under appreciated recruiting and excellent development should ensure the Huskies are still very stout on the defensive end. The defensive line returns two important pieces to the D, in juniors Greg Gaines and Vita Vea. Gaines, who can flip from tackle to end nearly every play in Washington's unique front seven, is one of the team's top pass rushers, and managed eight tackles for loss last season. Meanwhile, Vea earned All-Conference honors last season after finishing with five sacks and 39 tackles. Vea moves very well for his massive size (6'5", 345 pounds) and just finds a way to make an impact. There is also a decent amount of depth on the D-Line as guys like Jaylen Johnson and Shane Bowman will be key rotational pieces for this defense. The linebacker corps should be a huge strength, as nearly everybody is back with the exception of physical Psalm Wooching (five sacks in '16). The most important returnee has to be senior middle linebacker Azeem Victor, who was lost for the season after ten starts. Victor still finished near the top of the team in tackles with 67, and the defense clearly struggled without him. His return makes them much more versatile across their entire front seven, because he can do so many things. Senior Keishawn Bierria is also a huge piece back, as he was second on the team with 70 tackles, earning All-Conference honors along the way. Bierria isn't a tremendous pass rusher but the chaos he causes off the edge is still key to the defense. The other outside linebacker spot is overseeing a stiff competition for the starting job. Junior Trevis Bartlett had 26 tackles and four sacks last season, and brings a fabulous feel for the game to the table. He's competing with sophomore D.J. Beavers and raw sophomore Kyler Manu for the job. The secondary was absolutely gutted by the NFL Draft this spring, and there are sure to be plenty of growing pains for the unit in 2017. Cornerback Sidney Jones was a guy they could put on any receiver and he'd perform, and would have been a first-round pick if not for an unfortunately timed injury. Budda Baker did it all for this secondary, and led Washington in tackles. Kevin King was a big, physical cornerback who was always getting in passing routes, with 13 pass breakups. Those three departures are all going to be tough to recover from, but that doesn't mean there is nobody back there. Junior JoJo McIntosh is vastly underrated, as the safety had 67 tackles a season ago and has a nose for the football. Sophomore Taylor Rapp is viewed by many as a breakout candidate as he makes the move from nickelback to a safety spot. Rapp had 53 tackles and four interceptions last season, and brings incredible range. He earned Freshman All-American honors in 2016, and should only get better with more time. Replacing King and Jones at cornerback will not be easy, but redshirt freshman Byron Murphy really impressed coaches over this spring and has loads of potential. Sophomore Austin Joyner, junior Jordan Miller and true freshman Elijah Molden are also going to be expected to fight for snaps at the position. Special Teams: Washington will be breaking in a new kicker, as Cameron Van Winkle graduates. However, they should be well acquainted with the new starter, as punter Tristian Vizcaino is expected to handle the placekicking duties as well. In the return game, UW will miss Ross, but Pettis had two touchdowns as a punt returner in '16, and should be dangerous once more. Washington's breakthrough last season was surprising in many ways, but it was certainly no fluke. Petersen has elevated the talent level quite a bit in just the three seasons he has been here, and he has identified a quarterback that can clearly take him where he wants to go in Browning. Much of the things that helped guide this team to last year's conference title, such as their dangerous aerial attack, versatile running game and physical defense. Also working for them is a very easy schedule (toughest non-conference is at 2-10 Rutgers) and a confidence surrounding the entire program. If the Huskies can mitigate some of the concerns that have arose with their recent NFL departures, there is no reason to think they can't make a second straight Playoff berth and stay on top of the Pac-12. Player to Watch Byron Murphy, CB Losing Sidney Jones and Kevin King will obviously be incredibly tough for Washington, but those losses can hurt a lot less if possible breakout candidate Byron Murphy has a big season. Murphy was the scout team's Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 during his redshirt campaign and followed it up with a great spring. It will be a stark transition going from the scout team to Pac-12 offenses but Murphy has the talent to handle it. Five-Year Trend 2012: 7-6 (5-4 Pac-12)* 2013: 9-4 (5-4 Pac-12)* 2014: 8-6 (4-5 Pac-12)* 2015: 7-6 (4-5 Pac-12)* 2016: 12-2 (8-1 Pac-12)* *= Bowl appearance

College Football Preview 2017-2018: 21. Stanford Cardinal

21. Stanford Cardinal

Can the offense improve without its best player?

Location: Palo Alto, Calif. Conference: Pac-12 (North) Schedule Roster Coach: David Shaw (seventh year) Last Years Record: 10-3 (6-3 Pac-12) Bowl Result: Victory in Sun Bowl Overview Blessed with one of the nation's most dynamic players in running back Christian McCaffrey, Stanford looked ready to vie for the program's first-ever Playoff appearance in 2016. Yet, despite McCaffrey's brilliance the offense hit a wall mid-season, managing just 11 points over a four-game span that included three losses (to Washington, Washington State and Colorado).  That deflating stretch may have ended Stanford's Playoff hopes, but the Cardinal recovered to win their final six games, including a Sun Bowl victory with McCaffrey absent. This off-season, McCaffrey opted to leave for the NFL a year early, but that shouldn't stop the success David Shaw has built in Palo Alto. A new star ready to emerge in the backfield, an improved quarterback situation and a deep defense all point to another tough Stanford team, and one still ready to challenge for a Pac-12 crown. Bryce Love Offense: The main hope for Stanford as they head into fall camp and a new season is figuring out the quarterback situation. Ryan Burns began last year as the starter for the Cardinal but was eventually unseated by former highly-touted recruit Keller Chryst. Chryst showed excellent command of the offense after taking over for Burns and the results speak for themselves, as he led Stanford to a 6-0 mark. However, Chryst tore his ACL in the team's Sun Bowl victory and missed the entirety of spring. The Cardinal believe that he will be back for 2017, but it's unclear if he'll be able to go Week One, which may reopen the door for Burns or redshirt freshman K.J. Costello. Costello was a major get in the 2016 recruiting class and played well in the spring, so he may have the best shot to run the offense if Chryst isn't able to go. The Cardinal will obviously miss do-it-all back Christian McCaffrey, but the running back position could actually still be a strength in '17. Junior Bryce Love impressed in the Sun Bowl, and he has the potential to have a breakout campaign. Love doesn't quite have McCaffrey's immense playmaking potential, but he's a speedy runner with a lot of shiftiness. He could double his 783 yards with more touches. He will be joined in the backfield by sophomore Cameron Scarlett and established blocker Daniel Marx at fullback. The Cardinal are never going to be a pass-happy team but with this receiver corps, they have the potential to be very solid through the air. Junior Trenton Irwin is a proven playmaker, who 37 catches for 442 yards a year ago. When paired with sophomore J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford possesses some serious speed and explosiveness. Stanford has long been a great place for developing great tight ends, and the cycle continues with junior Dalton Schultz. Schultz is a very fine pass-catcher, who caught 22 balls last year. With Irwin and company stretching the defense, Schultz could get plenty of opportunities underneath and in the red zone, where he should thrive. Redshirt freshman Kaden Smith and true frosh Colby Parkinson will also likely see snaps in a tight-end heavy offense. Up front, Stanford should be very stout, as usual. The offensive line has four starters back, and brings very impressive depth. Senior David Bright and junior A.T. Hall are exceptional at the tackle spots, while junior center Jesse Burkett is an anchor in the middle. A group that specializes in run blocking, this group should help open up gaping holes for the dangerous Love to work with.  Peter Kalambayi Defense: While Stanford will need help from their offense if they have any shot at winning the Pac-12, they will always be a defensive-orientated team. That won't change in '17, even with some losses, as enough reinforcements arrive for a stingy group. On the defensive line, Stanford will miss No. 3 overall draft selection Solomon Thomas. Thomas was never overly dominant while in Palo Alto but was a very consistent and reliable pass rusher, and absolutely shown in the Sun Bowl. The Cardinal will look for even bigger production from senior defensive tackle Harrison Phillips. Phillips has proven he can get after the quarterback (6.5 sacks a year ago), but may face more blocking attention without teams having to worry about Thomas on the edge. Neither defensive end spot should be considered a major strength, but the Cardinal still have plenty of potential. Senior Eric Cotton looks primed to put together a big season. Cotton had just three tackles last year but played much better in the spring and is a very knowledgable football player. On the other side, it's unclear who will take over the starting DE spot, as sophomores Thomas Schaffer and Dylan Jackson appear to be the main competitors. The strength of the team, as it so often is, will be their physical rush defense. Last year, the group allowed 144.5 yards per game on the ground, which was pretty good but not quite up to their usual standards at 38th nationally. However, with all four linebackers returning with significant experience, this group could be absolutely dominant. They'll be especially great on the outside, with junior Joey Alfieri and senior Peter Kalambayi. Both of the veterans have proven they can attack the backfield off the edge, particularly Alfieri, who prides himself on being a pass rushing specialist. Kalambayi is a very good athlete with plenty of experience facing a wide variety of offenses in the interesting Pac-12. Senior Kevin Palma won't wow anyone with his physical gifts, but is a smart football player that relies heavily on his impressive instincts. Junior Bobby Okereke is also returning at an inside linebacker spot. Adding to the strength of the linebacker corps is the fact Stanford returns a bunch of quality rotational players and young guys ready to step into larger roles such as sophomores Curtis Robinson and Sean Barton. In the secondary, Stanford appears to be very strong. The unit rarely has seen elite stars pass through their ranks, but has consistently done well stopping the pass, which should once more be the case in '17. Junior Justin Reid is a key returnee at strong safety, as the team's leading returning tackler, with 57 in total. Cornerback should also be a notable strength for the Cardinal, as juniors Quentin Meeks and Alijah Holder should lock down starting roles. Meeks tied for second on the team in interceptions last year with two, while Holder has impressed as a reserve throughout his time in Palo Alto, including recording six pass deflections last season. Free safety is the only spot breaking in a new starter, but junior Brandon Simmons is expected to take over after 15 tackles a year ago. Special Teams: Stanford will undergo a transition in the kicking game, where the school's all-time leader in field goal percentage, Conrad Ukropina, departed. Untested sophomore Jet Toner is expected to take over where Ukropina left off. In the return game, the combination of Bryce Love and sophomore Jay Tyler is expected to replace McCaffrey's impressive production. Under the leadership of David Shaw, and Jim Harbaugh before him, Stanford has evolved into a perennial threat, even one that should be able to withstand losing one of their best players in school history. Bryce Love should have no troubles adjusting to a larger role, the offensive line could be the best in years, and the defense should once again be stout. The big X-factor for the Cardinal is clearly the passing game, which averaged a lowly 158 yards per game last year. Stanford must hope that Keller Chryst can return healthy and regain his old form, or else take a chance on a less proven option, such as K.J. Costello. If the passing game doesn't reemerge or at least take a few steps forward, it's hard to envision Stanford winning a conference that is extremely improved, with Washington and USC looking like legitimate National Title contenders. Even so, the model of consistency in Palo Alto should keep producing. The Cardinal are a pretty safe bet to win 9-10 games, and maybe, just maybe, find a way to overcome UW and win the Pac-12 North. Player to Watch Dalton Schultz, TE To say Stanford has become a factory for producing high-quality tight ends may be an understatement. The Cardinal have six tight ends currently in the NFL, including Coby Fleener, Austin Hooper and Zach Ertz, all who were dominant in the collegiate ranks. The hope around Palo Alto is that junior Dalton Schultz can be the next in the long line of star tight ends. Schultz had 23 receptions for 222 yards a year ago, but his physical nature and big frame could enable him to be an absolutely imposing red zone presence. Five-Year Trend 2012: 12-2 (8-1 Pac-12)* 2013: 11-3 (7-2 Pac-12)* 2014: 8-5 (5-4 Pac-12)* 2015: 12-2 (8-1 Pac-12)* 2016: 10-3 (6-3 Pac-12)* *= Bowl appearance

College Football Preview 2017-2018: 23. UCLA Bruins

23. UCLA Bruins

Now healthy, Bruins ready to challenge for Pac-12 South crown

Location: Los Angeles, California Conference: Pac-12 (South) Schedule Roster Coach: Jim Mora (sixth year) Last Years Record: 4-8 (2-7 Pac-12) Bowl Result: None Overview With crosstown rival USC in a rebuilding stage, a quarterback on the rise, and a wide open Pac-12 South Division, the Bruins seemed poised for a great 2016. Things quickly soured in Westwood, as UCLA turned in a 4-8 record at the end of the day, amidst a season filled with injuries and little offense. The rough year included a stretch where they lost six of seven, and averaged just 24.9 points per game (11th in the conference, 91st nationally). As the team shifts it's direction towards 2017, the hope is that improved health and more experience can yield the type of year the team was planning on for '16. Much of the team's hopes rest on the recovery of junior quarterback Josh Rosen, as well as the development of the running game and offensive line. If those things happen, the underrated Bruins' defense can further light the way towards a resurgent year, and possibly Pac-12 Championship contention. Josh Rosen Offense: After throwing for 3,669 yards and 23 touchdowns his true freshman season, 2016 was supposed to be the year Josh Rosen emerged as a college football superstar. The flashy former five-star quarterback never really took to first-year offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu's scheme and later hurt his shoulder, limiting him to just six games and 231 passing attempts. Rosen did display the same poise and confidence that impressed so many his first year on campus, but he was unable to overcome a poor offensive line and turnover issues still haunt him. UCLA opted to move on from Polamalu after just one season, and brings in Jedd Fisch to run the offense. Fisch's main priority will be getting Rosen comfortable once more, while utilizing his impressive mobility and rocket arm. What will also help Rosen succeed in what could be his final season on campus will be the emergence of a reliable rushing attack. UCLA managed just 84.3 yards per game on the ground a year ago, second-worst in the entire country. The good news is that the Bruins have three capable backs returning, notably junior Soso Jamabo (321 yards, three touchdowns in '16) and senior Nate Starks. Fisch should rely heavily on the rushing attack early on, and the group looked much improved in the spring. With that in mind, it isn't hard to believe Jamabo and the rest of the running back committee could put together a much-improved season and make this offense much less one-dimensional. It is hard to see the ground game really becoming dominant, however, if the offensive line doesn't take a big step forward. The O-Line has been an issue for too long for UCLA, including last year when the group couldn't stop anyone. That issue could also soon be resolved: four starters are returning, including the anchor of the unit, center Scott Quessenberry. Now a senior, Quessenberry has done a fabulous job protecting up the middle, and seems to have great connection with Rosen. At the guard spots, fellow seniors Najee Toran and Kenny Lacy should open up some holes for the ground game, while left tackle is seeing a competition between sophomore Andre James and junior Kolton Miller. Miller was expected to play a big role for this team but was knocked out for the year, subsequently forcing James into a larger role. Miller is a proven blocker when healthy who should take over the starting job, while James can help at left or right tackle, where UCLA is replacing Conor McDermott. An important thing UCLA needs to identify as they head into fall camp is a true, No. 1 receiver for Rosen. The favorite has to be senior Darren Andrews, the team's leading returning receiver, after compiling 55 receptions for 709 yards and four touchdowns a year ago. Andrews isn't blazing fast or an insane athlete but he is so good at finding soft spots in defenses and running crisp, precise routes. The Bruins are also hoping fellow senior Eldridge Massington can put together a big final season in Los Angeles. Nate Starks Massington showed plenty of potential in 2014, his true freshman season, when he hauled in 25 receptions for 367 yards. Since then, he has had two seasons of lesser numbers, and hasn't really been able to break out. With decent size and athleticism, the tools are there for him, he just has to find out a way to utilize them correctly. Expect senior Mossi Johnson and rising sophomore Theo Howard to also see some targets in an offense that hopes to spread the field better and open things up for their receivers. All signs point to an improved 2017 for this offense, particularly if Rosen can regain his 2015 form. If the offensive line finally takes the step forward it needs to take, this group could go from one of the Pac-12's worst a year ago to one of its best. Defense: While the offense struggled mightily in 2016, UCLA's defense looked the best it has in years, as defensive coordinator Tom Bradley used creative blitz packages and different schemes to put together a solid group. Bradley, a long-time coordinator for Joe Paterno at Penn State, needed some time to settle into the vastly different Pac-12, but seems to have found a way to build sustained success at UCLA. This year, the team will undergo some tough losses at a number of different levels on the D, but still have enough talent for a successful year. The big loss for the Bruins on the defensive line was first-round NFL Draft pick Takkarist McKinley. A powerful force blessed with an incredibly high motor, McKinley was quite the disruptive force a year ago, racking up 10 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in 11 games. His departure leaves the Bruins searching for a new top pass rusher, and overall stability at defensive end. Sophomores Rick Wade and Keisean Lucier-South are expected to step up. Wade is a rock-solid defender, while Lucier-South was a five-star pickup a season ago who showed flashes of brilliance in '16. Bradley and staff could also be hoping for bigger things from some of the young guys, most notably true freshman Jaelen Phillips and Osa Odighizuwa. Phillips is a consensus five-star addition and considered by many to be the gem of the 2017 recruiting class, while Odighizuwa is the younger brother of former Bruin defensive linemen Owamagbe Odighizuwa, who was a third round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. In the interior of the D-Line, UCLA is hoping for a big year from senior Matt Dickerson and Jacob Tuioti-Mariner. Dickerson proved to be especially adept at stopping the run a year ago, with 34 tackles. UCLA is also undergoing some changes in the linebacker corps, where star Jayon Brown (119 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions) departs. That will put pressure on middle linebacker Kenny Young, who will be asked to do just about everything for the Bruins this season. Young had 90 tackles in '16, and is an extremely underrated pass rusher, with five sacks last year. The outside linebacker spots are question marks, but UCLA has proven they can develop playmakers at the position (Myles Jack, Anthony Barr). Sophomore DeChaun Holiday has loads of potential to be a disruptive force off the edge, while junior Josh Woods has proven to be an incredibly versatile defender. The Bruins were very good against the pass for much of last season, putting them at a real advantage in the pass-happy Pac-12. With a number of key players back to the secondary, they could get even better as they look ahead to 2017. Senior free safety Jaleel Wadood was the key returnee to the unit, after recording 76 tackles and four pass deflections last year. He isn't a great weapon in pass coverage, but has proven his speed and downhill hitting ability. He'll be joined at the safety position by junior Adarius Pickett, a playmaking defensive back. Pickett had three interceptions last year and the Bruins will lean on his ability to jump passing routes even more this year, as they didn't force enough turnovers a season ago. The cornerback spots are somewhat concerns, even though junior Nate Meadors is a returning starter. The CB spot opposite of him is a complete mystery, with true freshmen Darnay Holmes and Elijah Gates considered the top candidates for the starting job. Special Teams: There are also concerns on special teams for UCLA, who will have to rely on an inconsistent kicker and must find new playmakers in the return game. Sophomore J.J. Molson had a rocky 2016 (12 of 20) but the coaching staff believes he will have a wildly improved year with more experience under his belt. The Bruins will miss Ishmael Adams, who controlled most of their kick and punt return duties. Adarius Pickett will be expected to handle punts (81 yards on eight last year), but the kick returner job is wide open. There is a sense of optimism around Westwood this year, but also the sense of much more pressure on sixth-year head coach Jim Mora and staff. While the team obviously struggled through injuries and inexperience last year, it was a brutal-to-watch campaign that followed up a mediocre 8-5 in 2015, making some boosters and fans question the direction of the program. The talent returning in 2017 has the chance to be special; Josh Rosen could be one of the best quarterbacks in the country if he's healthy and the rest of the offense has plenty of weapons. Defensively, there will likely be some growing pains as UCLA identifies a new pass rusher and figures out the cornerback position, but the group should still be a strength. However, a return to the Pac-12 elite will take near perfect health and maybe some luck, as they stare down a schedule that includes Texas A&M in the opener and road games against Washington, Stanford, Utah and USC. That schedule and some of the issues on the roster should restrict the Bruins from becoming Pac-12 South Champions but if things go right, this team should still challenge for double-digit wins and a return to a respectable bowl. Player to Watch Soso Jamabo, RB A former five-star recruit, Soso Jamabo made waves when he announced he was heading to UCLA. Yet, while he has shown flashes, Jamabo has yet to really put together a big season, having 725 yards and seven scores in two seasons at the running back spot. The hope as UCLA heads into 2017 is that Jamabo can get the bulk of the carries and utilize his impressive vision and shiftiness, finally cashing in on his vast potential. Five-Year Trend 2012: 9-5 (6-3 Pac-12)* 2013: 10-3 (6-3 Pac-12)* 2014: 10-3 (6-3 Pac-12)* 2015: 8-5 (5-4 Pac-12)* 2016: 4-8 (2-7 Pac-12) *= Bowl game

Who is the Best Team in College Basketball?

Josh Hart, Villanova

While March and April tend to be the craziest months of the college basketball season, that doesn't mean the sport is devoid of plenty of upsets and chaos well before that. This past week we saw plenty of evidence of that; the nation's top team, Villanova, surrendered a 15-point lead before losing to Marquette, No. 2 Kansas lost to high-flying West Virginia, Kentucky dropped to Tennessee despite being a heavy favorite and the Pac-12's "best" team, UCLA, lost twice. While an important weekend of college hoops will help us gain some clarity, it doesn't appear there is any true, invincible team to beat. Even so, there are a long list of contenders that could fit the mold of being the best in the land.

Villanova Wildcats (19-2, 6-2 Big East)
The reigning National Champion Wildcats have followed up last year's terrific run with a great year, jumping out to a 14-0 mark before suffering their first loss of the season to Butler. Their loss to Marquette, a solid, but unranked team, is likely to drop them from their perch at No. 1. With that being said, this team still has all the ingredients of a very good basketball team. Guard Josh Hart put his name into the NBA Draft before eventually returning, and the results have spoken for themselves. He is averaging 19 points per game while shooting extremely efficiently and appears to be near the forefront of the Wooden Award race. Joining Hart has been a steady crop of veterans, namely Kris Jenkins (last year's National Championship Game hero is averaging 13.7 PPG and 4.0 RPG) and point guard Jalen Brunson. Brunson doesn't get a whole lot of national attention, but the sophomore's growth has been a major reason for Villanova's success in '16-'17, as he has played smarter and with more confidence, while taking over the key role of running the offense from departed Ryan Arcidiacono. While their losses over the past few weeks have shown the Wildcats are far from perfect, this team still appears to be a prime example of a legitimate National Title contender. They have enough depth, talent and experience to repeat as champions of the sport.

Gonzaga Bulldogs (21-0, 9-0 West Coast Conference)
With plenty of teams losing in front of them, it appears the nation's lone unbeaten, Gonzaga, has a chance to take over the No.1 spot, but do they deserve it? The extremely consistent Bulldogs are up to their usual tricks, bulldozing the rest of the West Coast Conference en route to a 9-0 conference start. They also recorded a healthy amount of solid non-conference victories, including beating Florida, Arizona and Iowa State. Much of their success can be attributed to a number of high-profile newcomers, namely Washington transfer Nigel Williams-Goss and freshman Zach Collins. Williams-Goss has shown excellent command of the offense, while the youthful Collins is leading Gonzaga in rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage. Plus, 'Zaga always has gigantic Przemek Karnowski to fall back on, as the 7'1", 300-pound behemoth continues to bully opponents in the paint. Even so, there are a wide number of detractors who don't believe in Gonzaga. Playing in such a weak conference has never helped the Bulldogs gain national respect, and one could argue this team simply doesn't deserve to be called the nation's best team when they are beating squads like Portland as others are battling it out in the brutal ACC or Big 12 every night. I think Gonzaga has their usual fair share of offensive weapons and diversity, but I agree it is hard to get behind a team whose resume is not quite up to snub with some of the other top teams.

Kansas Jayhawks (18-2, 7-1 Big 12)
Like clockwork, Kansas just keeps on churning out successful seasons. The Jayhawks have withstood the losses of guys like Wayne Selden and Perry Ellis, managing to look perhaps even better in the process. You could definitely argue Kansas has the nation's best backcourt, with Frank Mason and Devonte' Graham leading the charge. Mason is as good as ever, as the senior is putting up 19.9 PPG with 5.2 APG, while the fearless Graham has proven to be one heck of a complement. When joined by tremendous freshman Josh Jackson and vastly improved Svi Mykhailiuk, you definitely can see the talent on display in Lawrence. Yet, there are also some questions KU has to answer. Key forward Carlton Bragg was just recently suspended indefinitely and his future is very murky, which hurts an already thin frontcourt. Also concerning is the vast amount of great teams in the always-tough Big 12, namely West Virginia and Baylor. Even so, KU has still won 12 straight conference titles, and looks to be clearly very good as we progress through 2017.

Baylor Bears (19-1, 7-1 Big 12)
Even the most optimistic fans in Waco may not have expected the type of season Baylor has had in 2016-2017. The Bears beat Oregon, Louisville and Xavier in the non-conference before a hot start to their Big 12 slate. They reached the pinnacle of No. 1 before a 19-point loss to West Virginia, but have responded with four straight victories, including two road wins over tough Kansas State and TCU. Big man Johnathan Motley has been a major reason for the Bears success, as the productive forward is nearly averaging a double-double (16.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG), while Miami transfer Manu Lecomte has also evolved into an All-Conference player. The big question has got to be who is on the sidelines. Head coach Scott Drew has turned around Baylor's program since he arrived, but has received plenty of criticism for his in-game and situational coaching. Against some of the other powers of the sport, who are just as talented, that could be a serious issue. Baylor still as a significant chance to be the No. 2 team in the polls next week, and a matchup with Kansas on the road could still be very telling on just how good this team is.

Kentucky Wildcats (17-3, 7-1 SEC)
Despite being immensely talented, there was certainly some questions on just how well Kentucky and their youngsters would mesh this season. Although there is still plenty of time left, the Wildcats appear to have silenced any doubters. Their youthful backcourt has been astounding, with wonderful production from freshmen Malik Monk, De'Aaron Fox and sophomore Isaiah Briscoe. There was plenty of hype surrounding Monk on to '16-'17, but has smashed expectations, averaging nearly 22 points per game and dominating in a victory against UNC. Also helping out Kentucky's case is the weak conference they play in, which could help them close out the year in a big way. While South Carolina and Florida are okay, there doesn't appear to much competition for the 'Cats in the conference and while there is still plenty of time left, they might not lose another game this year, if they can get past Kansas this weekend.

Arizona Wildcats (19-2, 8-0 Pac-12)
There is no denying how good this Arizona team is when at full strength. After being beat up heavily to start the season, Arizona is flaming hot, flawless in the Pac-12 at the moment, and just beat UCLA. Dynamic forward Lauri Markannen has gone from a unheralded name to an absolute force, and true freshman Kobi Simmons has been extremely productive, and led the way to the upset of the Bruins. Perhaps most important for 'Zona, though, is the return of Allonzo Trier. Trier was suspended after testing positive for an illegal substance but is back, and could take over the duty of being the No.1 scorer on the roster. Meetings with Washington and Oregon State await before a huge clash with the similarly-hot Oregon Ducks, which could play a huge role on not only the Pac-12 scene but national stage.


The Verdict: This has been an interesting season of college basketball up to this point, and things should get even more crazy as conference play continues. There is so much talent and upside on so many different teams, and even teams not mentioned here could very well end the year as National Champs (see UNC, UCLA, Oregon, Florida State, etc.). At this juncture, my pick for the nation's top team: Villanova. It may seem relatively unexciting because they are the defending champs and have been locked up at No. 1 for a large chunk of the season. They have the veteran leadership, scoring punch and versatility needed to beat anybody in the nation, even if they don't have the same flash as say, Kentucky. Yet, there is still plenty of basketball left to be played, and things will change. While the title of "college basketball's best team" is still up for debate some things are not: this will be a season filled with plenty more upsets and a lot more fun before it is all said and done.

College Football Playoff 2016-2017: Previewing the Peach Bowl

Ronnie Harrison and Marlon Humphrey

So here we are, the College Football Playoff. After waiting months for the season to begin, and then even longer for the Playoff to figure itself out, we finally have reached the games that will help decide who plays in the National Championship. The first matchup in the Peach Bowl pits the dominating Alabama Crimson Tide against the rising Washington Huskies. While Alabama's domination this year pits them as the early favorite against the Pac-12 Champs, thinking this will be a blowout would be foolish.

Alabama has needed no rally in the season's second half to reach the Playoff like they did in 2015. This team has throughly dominated their competition, with the lone exception being down in the first half against Ole Miss before obliterating the Rebels. Much of their success can be attributed to a shutdown defense, that has depth and talent everywhere. In the front seven, defensive end Jonathan Allen has evolved into perhaps the nation's best all-around pass rusher after having a marvelous Playoff last season. He is joined by aggressive outside linebacker Tim Williams (15.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks), tackling machine Rueben Foster (94 tackles) and a host of underappreciated but important defenders like Ryan Anderson and Shaun Dion Hamilton. That front seven has caused chaos all year long and will look to attack a Washington offensive line that has played well for much of the year, but hasn't faced a defense with this many weapons. Alabama is as good as anyone at forcing turnovers and then converting off of them, and the defensive backfield plays a huge role in that. Versatile defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick has five interceptions on the year and has returned two to the house. Corner Marlon Humphrey is not an insane athlete, but is a big, physical defender that will be tasked with stopping Washington's plethora of options at receiver. Also sure to play a big role is lengthy safety Ronnie Harrison (67 tackles, two interceptions) and Tony Brown, who has replaced the injured Eddie Jackson in the back. Those playmakers will have an interesting battle against the Huskies here. They will have to contain the impressive speed on the outside, while also containing the big play. With what they have done all year long, it isn't crazy to think they can do it.

The Tide offense doesn't quite get the attention the defense does, but it obviously plays a key role on the team. True freshman Jalen Hurts overtook others in the quarterback competition and has impressed ever since. Despite his youth, Hurts has shown amazing composure and confidence, and won't be intimidated at all by Washington's impressive pass defense. At running back, the Tide have been led by hard running Damien Harris (983 yards), but also have important change-of-pace options in Bo Scarbrough and Joshua Jacobs. That trio has been strong all of 2016 and should look to take advantage of a UW rush defense missing one of its key members, veteran linebacker Azeem Victor. At receiver, Alabama has a superstar in junior Calvin Ridley, a quality No. 2 in ArDarius Stewart and senior tight end O.J. Howard, who seems to play his best in the big games. Operating behind an offensive line, this new-look Tide offense should not only be able to play physical and overpower the Huskies at times but also open up mismatches on the perimeter with their speed.

While the Tide have blown away competition en route to a flawless 13-0 mark, Washington has done much the same, with one blemish. The Huskies used their explosive offense to win 12 games, but were unable to get past the flaming hot USC Trojans, who is the only common opponent between the two. While their performance in that loss was not reassuring, it helped Washington poured it on over the past few weeks to secure a spot in the four-team field. Sophomore quarterback Jake Browning has had a tremendous year, keeping himself in the Heisman conversation for much of it. He will definitely be in store for a team matchup against the ball-hawking Tide secondary, but this signal-caller has also played with impressive confidence and charisma, he should be fine. Biletnikoff Award finalist John Ross III and Dante Pettis give Browning two dangerous speedsters to work with at wide out, and sophomore tailback Myles Gaskin has been dominant at times. This offense has been great all year (with the exception of their 13 points against 'SC), so it should be able to light up the scoreboard as well.

It will be interesting to see how Washington's defense performs in this game. Overall, the Huskies defense has played well this season, but it hasn't really faced an offense quite like the Tide's. Not helping out the Huskies is the absence of Victor (broken leg) or top pass rusher Joe Mathis. Mathis had 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks before sustaining a foot injury. The absence of those two have put more pressure on the rest of the front seven, and they have done an admirable job. Veteran leader Psalm Wooching plays with a ton of energy and passion and is the type of physical tackler required to stop Harris and the rest of the Alabama running backs. The secondary is clearly the strength of the unit, with cornerback Sidney Jones and safety Budda Baker leading the charge. Baker is a rangy, athletic defender that will have to play all over the field, while Jones will most likely be tasked with containing Ridley, which is not an easy assignment by any means. Also sure to play a large role is underrated corner Kevin King, who had 13 pass deflections this season and will have to step up with the abundance of options Alabama possesses at receiver.

How each team passes the ball will be key in this game. Both of these secondaries pride themselves on being shutdown and have backed it up, being some of the best statistical groups in the land. For the Huskies, Browning can't turn the ball over, which is easier said than done. The young QB has racked up a ton of yardage off of big plays in '16, but that isn't going to happen against this disciplined Tide group. Can he show smarts and the ability to adapt by having more success on short and intermediate throws? Washington must also get a major contribution from Gaskin, who has been inconsistent. In the Huskies' worst showings on the season (against USC and Utah) Gaskin has played his two worst games. Alabama is great at shooting gaps and tackling in space, which is worrying for UW. If Gaskin can't get going this offense becomes way too one-dimensional to have any success against 'Bama. For the Tide, they will need Hurts to make some big throws. He has been able to get by without necessarily making huge throws, but this may be their toughest and most balanced opponent yet. He will need to stretch UW vertically to open things up for this ground game. Once that ground game gets going, if its the second half, they are so strong and physical they overpower tired defenses.

Washington is one heck of a team and they have had a magical season in head coach Chris Petersen's third year at the helm. They went 12-1, won the conference and reached the Playoff, and they have enough weapons on both sides of the ball to perhaps do some serious damage. Even so, I find it insanely difficult to pick against Alabama. They are undefeated and have looked the part, beating down anybody that stands in the way of their goal of a fifth national title under Nick Saban. The ony way I see this going Washington's way is if the Tide aren't focused (like they weren't in the Sugar Bowl loss to Ohio State in 2014-2015) or if Browning has the game of his life. If that doesn't happen, it won't be a blowout, but the Tide should roll pretty comfortably.
Alabama, 31 Washington, 21

Bowl Picks 2016-2017: Foster Farms Bowl to Alamo Bowl

Sefo Liufau, Colorado

Foster Farms Bowl (December 28th)
Indiana Hoosiers (6-6) vs. Utah Utes (8-4)

A new era begins for Indiana football, as the Hoosiers will play their first game under new head coach Tom Allen, who took over for the recently fired Kevin Wilson. Allen had a very successful stint as Indiana's defensive coordinator, and the adjustment should be quick. However, the Hoosiers will not have an easy opponent, as the disciplined and methodical Utah Utes will be on the opposing sideline. Indiana had a high-flying offense under Wilson, and they should continue with that spread, up-tempo attack. Quarterback Richard Lagow put together an impressive 2016, finishing with over 3,000 yards passing and showing decent running ability. He will be joined by 1,000-yard rusher Devine Redding and plenty of weapons at receiver. The Hoosiers will have to play smart and not turn the ball over, as the Utes capitalize off turnovers as well as anybody in the country. Defensive back Marcus Williams is a ball hawk in the back, and physical D-Linemen Lowell Lotulelei should apply plenty of pressure on Lagow. Utah doesn't quite have the explosive offense that Indiana possesses, but they have proven they can move the ball, thanks in large part to back Joe Williams. Williams announced retirement late in the summer due to injury issues, then returned after a few weeks and has been terrific since. Williams has run for 1,185 yards on the year, eclipsing 100 yards five of the last six weeks, with the highpoint being a 332-yard showing in a win over UCLA. Indiana has proven to have a solid rush defense, but Williams has proven he can dominate even against legit defenses (ran for 170-plus against Washington). Quarterback Troy Williams leads a pass offense that doesn't rely on big plays, but gets the job done. Athletic receiver Tim Patrick and the rest of the Utes' weapons should be enough to challenge Indiana's back seven. Overall, the game features two solid teams looking to end successful years on a high note. Indiana should be fired up in this one, but Utah is the more fundamentally sound team and has more weapons defensively. If the Utes can get enough from both Williams, they should be able to roll to a ninth win on the year.
Utah, 30 Indiana, 24

Advocare V100 Texas Bowl (December 28th)
Kansas State Wildcats (8-4) vs. Texas A&M Aggies (8-4)

While most teams tend to improve as the season goes on, with more experience and comfortability, it has been the opposite for Texas A&M over the past few seasons. For the third straight season, the Aggies started off the year hot, rising as high as No. 4 in the first CFB Playoff Rankings of 2016 before falling flat late, ending up 8-4. They enter bowl season against a K-State squad that quietly went 8-4 and will be a tough team to beat. The Aggies do not know who will be their starting quarterback for this one. Former Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight has put together a strong final season of college football, but suffered a knee injury in late November and his status for this one is up in doubt. If he can't go, quality backup Jake Hubenak (884 yards, six touchdowns) should be ready to go. Hubenak will face a Wildcats' defense that doesn't have any big name stars, but has plenty of experience, namely in the secondary. Long known as a pass offense, Texas A&M showed more balance this year, with a big season from young tailback Trayveon Williams. He will also be joined by explosive playmakers at wide out, such as Josh Reynolds and Christian Kirk, who will look to blow the top off the K-State defense. No matter who takes over at quarterback, those weapons should be enough to put points on the board. The key will be stopping opponents, which has never been a real strength for A&M under Kevin Sumlin. The defense was wonderful for much of the season but has struggled mightily over the past few weeks, most notably when they allowed 54 points to a struggling LSU offense. The unit has tons of talent, led by defensive end Myles Garrett (who should be playing his final game in an Aggies' uniform), but it lets up too many big plays and still struggles with play recognition. The key for A&M will be containing dual threat quarterback Jesse Ertz, who plays such a huge role for Kansas State. Ertz threw for 1,560 yards while rushing for 945 yards along with 10 scores. Along with quality veteran Charles Jones and big play threat Alex Barnes (7.9 yards per attempt), Kansas State's rushing attack can be pretty lethal. If they can make some big throws early it could soften up the Aggies' defense enough to get some consistent yardage. Another key component to the Wildcats' offense is fullback Winston Dimel, the son of offensive coordinator Dana. Dimel has only gotten 30 rush attempts on the year but has made the most of them, with 12 touchdowns. His contributions in short yardage situations should play a big role in this one. Talent-wise Texas A&M is still probably the better team, but that has not made a huge difference for this team a lot of times. With them trending down, I actually like K-State in this one, which qualifies as an upset. If the passing game can do enough and the defense holds its own, the Wildcats could the quietest nine-win team in a long time.
Kansas State, 34 Texas A&M, 31

Birmingham Bowl (December 29th)
South Florida Bulls (10-2) vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (6-6)

The American Athletic Conference has established itself as the cream of the crop of the Non-Power Five conferences, and a victory by one of their elite teams (USF) over South Carolina would only further cement that fact. The Bulls have been very dangerous on offense all year long, as do-it-all QB Quinton Flowers has led the team in passing and rushing. Flowers' mechanics still aren't great and he can't always beat you solely with his arm, but his versatility is enough to give defenses big problems. Star back Marlon Mack is no slouch either, running for 1,137 yards and 15 touchdowns, while averaging 7.1 yards per rush. South Carolina's defense did see some great rushing offenses in the SEC, but even so, they could be in store for a rude awakening against such a dynamic offense. The Gamecocks have been a great story, improving from a disastrous 2015 to win six games under first year head coach Will Muschamp, despite extreme youth. A lot of that can be credited to some excellent speed and explosiveness on this offense, which kept them afloat in a number of games. Backs Rico Dowdle and agile A.J. Turner will hope to have a huge day against an inconsistent Bulls' rush defense, and receiver Deebo Samuel is dangerous. USF's pass defense is not fantastic either, and South Carolina will work hard to exploit that. However, the Gamecocks quarterback situation has been a revolving door. Senior Perry Orth began the year but has struggled, while true freshman Brandon McIlwain has also had some issues, but is still considered the quarterback of the future in Columbia. Freshman Jake Bentley has become South Carolina's leading passer, and should start this one. If he makes smart decisions, it would go a long way in helping the Gamecocks take home a victory. Head coach Willie Taggart left for Oregon, but new head man Charlie Strong will hope to keep the momentum going in Tampa. He will face a South Carolina team that should have plenty of fight, but the Bulls are the better team. If the defense can do just enough and Flowers and Mack have a big day, USF should have no issues winning this one.
South Florida, 38 South Carolina, 27

Belk Bowl (December 29th)
Arkansas Razorbacks (7-5) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (9-4)

After such a long tenure of Frank Beamer, there was no indication what was to be expected of Virginia Tech in Year One under Justin Fuente. Yet, things have gone even better than perhaps expected, as the Hokies have won nine games and won the ACC Coastal, pushing Clemson to the brink in the ACC Championship Game. They want to end the year on a high note, but Arkansas is no pushover. A big reason for the improvement in Blacksburg for VT has been a much more dynamic offense. Signal-caller Jerod Evans is still learning, but he finished with 3,309 yards through the air and can also open things up with his legs. He is helped by one of the ACC's top receivers, Isaiah Ford, who can open up games with his home run ability. The Razorbacks' pass defense has been successful for much of the season, but Evans, Ford and even physical tight end Bucky Hodges present new challenges. For Arkansas, the key for them will be not turning the ball over. Veteran QB Austin Allen has done a great job filling in for his graduated older brother Brandon, but has also cost Arkansas many times with poor decisions. Virginia Tech has plenty of ball-hawking defenders, and it doesn't help that VT defensive coordinator Bud Foster is known for bringing pressure on opposing defenses with exotic blitzes. Depending on what happens with the passing attack, the Razorbacks could lean heavily on their ground game. That ground game is helped by a deep stable of backs, namely Rawleigh Williams III (1,326 yards) and Devwah Whaley. Yet, that rushing attack will not have any success if the offensive line struggles. Arkansas has plenty of bulk and experience in that group, but inconsistency has been an issue. If the group can't stop Virginia Tech's aggressive attacks, the Razorbacks are going to struggle. This should be another competitive bowl that could either be high-scoring or a close, physical, low-scoring affair. My bet is on the Hokies and Evans to lead the charge, particularly if the defense helps out quite a bit.
Virginia Tech, 28 Arkansas, 23

Valero Alamo Bowl (December 29th)
Colorado Buffaloes (10-3) vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-3)

What a year it has been in Boulder, Colorado. After years of struggling in the Big 12 and Pac-12, Colorado is back playing in the postseason for the first time since 2007. They are hoping to end their resurgent campaign by taking down a tough Oklahoma State team. The Buffaloes' major improvement has hinged heavily on a dangerous offense. Senior QB Sefo Liufau has not been 100 percent for much of the year, but has still played extremely well. The dual threat can make all the reads, and extends plays in a variety of ways. He will be aided by underrated running back Phillip Lindsay, who is deadly in the open field. Playing in the Big 12, Oklahoma State fits the stereotype of teams from that conference that can light up the scoreboard, but struggle to stop anyone. Not having pass rusher Emmanuel Ogbah, who left for the NFL last year, has only hurt the Cowboys' defense. The group must put pressure on Liufau and make tackles in open space, which has not been a strength for them this season. If this game does turn into a shootout, Ok. State should be in pretty good hands. Junior Mason Rudolph has proven he can burn defenses with his huge arm, and wide frame. Rudolph and his favorite receiver James Washington Jr. (both have announced they are returning in 2017), will look to have success against a Colorado secondary that has been great all season long. The Cowboys rushing attack has lagged behind over the years, but the group does have explosive Justice Hill, who ran for over 1,000 yards. Hill is small, but runs extremely hard, so Colorado tacklers must be prepared to fight against his tenacity. The Buffaloes don't have a ton of big name stars on their defense, but their front seven has plenty of size and experience, so this should be a great battle between the two. Also important is the motivation factor: Oklahoma State is angry, as they are coming off a loss to bitter rival Oklahoma and could have been in the Playoff mix if not for a fluke loss to Central Michigan, while Colorado is trying to rinse the bad taste out of their mouth following a bad loss to Washington in the Pac-12 Championship Game. This game should have plenty of points, and could also be a toss-up. However, I like the Buffaloes to win this one and end their big year in a big way. They have more experience and proven playmakers on defense, which should be enough to help them secure this one.
Colorado, 44 Oklahoma State, 37