Pac-12 spring football primer: Power Rankings, burning questions for every team

USC and Washington look like the clear favorites in the Pac-12 entering spring practices.

Remember just a couple seasons ago, when this was the conference of quarterbacks? Well, now it’s the conference of question marks, including several about the College Football Playoff. Every Pac-12 team enters 2017 spring practice with significant holes to fill and questions that need immediate answers, but the top of the conference (most notably, Washington and USC) has the talent to challenge for spots in the national semifinals.

Before spring practice kicks off—or at least before spring games kick off—let us help you prep for football on the West Coast. 

• More Power 5 spring primers: ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | SEC

1. Washington Huskies

RECORD: 2016 12-2

The Huskies lost a lot on both sides of the ball after their playoff appearance in December, but until someone officially dethrones them, they still own the conference of champions.

2. USC Trojans

RECORD: 2016 10-3

The Trojans turned in one of the best and most entertaining bowl performances of the 2016 postseason and enter the off-season with plenty of momentum, not to mention a Heisman Trophy-contending quarterback in Sam Darnold.

3. Stanford Cardinal

RECORD: 2016 10-3

The Cardinal will again lose huge defensive production as defensive end Solomon Thomas will likely be drafted high. Oh, and then there’s the departure of a guy named Christian McCaffrey. Still, David Shaw has a habit of putting together 10-win seasons no matter his roster makeup.

4. UCLA BRUINS

RECORD: 2016 4-8

A healthy Josh Rosen (shoulder surgery midway through 2016) is expected to participate in spring ball, but what will it take for the Bruins to finally live up to the hype that’s percolated on campus since Jim Mora arrived in 2011?

5. washington state cougars

RECORD: 2016 8-5

With quarterback Luke Falk back for his senior season, the Cougars will be a dark-horse candidate in the Pac-12 North. Never count out the Pirate.

6. COLORADO BUFFALOES

RECORD: 2016 10-4

One of the feel-good stories of the 2016 season, Colorado loses a lot on defense (including coordinator Jim Leavitt, who left for Oregon) but has a capable QB in Steven Montez, who won’t have to share snaps anymore.

7. uTAH UTES

RECORD: 2016 9-4

As usual, it’s all about the lines for the Utes, who are—surprise, surprise—working with a new offensive coordinator. 

8. oREGON STATE BEAVERS

RECORD: 2016 4-8

The Beavers ended 2016 with a lot of momentum, snapping an eight-year losing streak to their rivals down the road. Now, questions swirl around who will be the signal caller in 2017. 

9. oREGON DUCKS

RECORD: 2016 4-8

There’s lots of new energy in Eugene, but the Ducks are probably happiest about the return of their All-America running back Royce Freeman, who decided the NFL could wait. 

10. aRIZONA sTATE suNDEVILS

RECORD: 2016 5-7

No one wants to enter the 2017 season on a six-game losing streak, especially when you player in the weaker division of the Pac-12. Welcome to the life of the Sun Devils right now. 

11. aRIZONA wILDCATS

RECORD: 2016 3-9

One of the game’s most innovative coaches, Rich Rodriguez, had one of his worst years, followed up by a rough recruiting period. It’s not a great time for the Wildcats. 

12. california golden bears

RECORD: 2016 5-7

There’s a new coach and a new former FCS guru as coordinator, but how much can the Bears realistically accomplish with a roster built entirely for another system? 

10 players to watch in the Pac-12

Sam Darnold, USC QB

Robert Beck

Darnold has assumed the mantle of the QB to watch in L.A. after passing for 3,086 yards with 31 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2016.

Cody O'Connell, Washington State OG

Robert Johnson/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

The All-America honoree is one of the top returning linemen in the entire country. He help the Cougars develop an effective rushing attack last season.

Jake Browning, Washington QB

Kevin D. Liles

Browning built on his promising freshman season to lead the Huskies to the Pac-12 title and the College Football Playoff last season. He threw for 3,430 yards with 43 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Royce Freeman, Oregon RB

Steve Conner/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

The upside of a dismal 4–8 season for the Ducks was that it helped convince Freeman to return to Eugene for another year. The back is averaging 5.9 yards per carry in his career.

Josh Rosen, UCLA QB

Sam Craft/AP

Rosen arrived at UCLA with great hype, and while he hasn't disappointed, neither has he transformed the program. After a shoulder injury cut short his 2016 season, he'll look to get back on track in what will likely be his final year with the Bruins.

Phillip Lindsay, Colorado RB

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Lindsay's surprising success was key to the Buffaloes' stunning breakthrough last season as he powered the offense with 1,252 yards and 17 total touchdowns.

Quenton Meeks, Stanford CB

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Meeks steps into a leadership role on the Cardinal defense after developing into a shutdown cornerback.

Iman Marshall, USC CB

Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire/AP

Adoree' Jackson may have made more highlights, but Marshall was arguably the better cover corner for the Trojans. He steps into the limelight this year.

Azeem Victor, Washington LB

John W. McDonough

A leg injury ended Victor's season in early November, yet he still earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors. He'll be ready to go for the Huskies' spring practices.

Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah P

Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images

A Utah punter has won the Ray Guy Award for three straight seasons, including Wishnowsky's win last year. He'd like to make it four in a row in 2017.

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