Pac-12 preseason superlatives ahead of 2023 season

The Pac-12 is full of amazing storylines

School is out for the summer, but that doesn't mean it's too early or late to be looking ahead to the 2023 season.

While much of the attention on the Pac-12 has gone to their impending media rights deal and expansion news which has been changing by the minute, the Pac-12 may be home to some of the most entertaining storylines in college football. The conference is as deep as any in the Power 5 with five teams viewed as contenders for the conference title, and those same five teams having some shot at contending for the playoff. 

With the conference poised for arguably its best year of football in a decade, and the landscape about to change forever I decided to compile superlatives for the conference heading into the 2023 season. Let's take a look at who won each superlative and will get to be featured in the yearbook on their own page, and who didn't get enough imaginary votes. 

Most likely to attract the most eyes: Colorado

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Whether it's to watch this transfer portal experiment unfold, see if Deion Sanders can succeed at the Power 5 level, or simply to root against Colorado there is no question that they will have everyone watching. The Buffs have become one of the most popular programs in college football after treading in the pool of irrelevance for a decade. 

Most likely to stumble first: Utah

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While there are five teams that can compete for the Pac-12 title, there are also five teams that need to have a perfect season in order to be considered for the playoff. Utah is looking to win their third straight Pac-12 title, but in each of the last two seasons combined they are 3-3 in their non conference matchups with two of the wins coming against Southern Utah and Weber State. Utah hasn't started a season 3-0 since 2019, and they open the year up with games against Florida and Baylor in Waco. The past trends tell us they are bound to drop one of those games even if they are the better team, as they are a team that gets better down the stretch. Thus making them the first contender to stumble.  

Most likely to sneak up on you late in the season: Washington State

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Just because they can sneak up on you doesn't mean they will, but Washington State does arguably have the most favorable schedule in the Pac-12. After opening the year against Colorado State, Wisconsin which should be tough, and Northern Colorado they get a pretty favorable Pac-12 getting to play Arizona and UCLA who are both question marks. They also have a stretch towards the end of the season where they play Arizona State, Stanford, Cal, and Colorado which consist of three first year head coaches and a coach on the hot seat 

Most likely to shock the conference: Oregon State

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Oregon State had a soft opening to what they could potentially be in 2023. They had one of the best rushing attacks in the country, and the best defense in the Pac-12. All they were missing was a better quarterback, which they got in Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei. With the former five-star behind center the Beavers have a chance to win their first Pac-12 title since 2000, and could establish themselves as a premier team in the conference. 

Most fun to watch: Washington

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This was a tightly contested one, but something about one of the best gunslingers in the country throwing to an elite group of receivers with a great play caller returning feels like a fun watch. Football is all about the deep ball these days, and Penix Jr. may have the best deep pass in his bag. 

Best dressed: Oregon

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This award could to Oregon just about every year, but their uniform combinations have been elite over the past couple seasons thanks to the implementation of the eggshell uniform. Oregon has one of the better teams in the country and will be home to one of the more interesting storylines in the country with how well Bo Nix does without Kenny Dillingham, but one thing's for certain. They'll look good no matter what. 

Most likely to learn from 2023: Stanford

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Stanford's team is full of youth and guys who haven't played a lot of college ball, if any. Troy Taylor has a great offensive mind, but if 2023 is anything but a teaching opportunity for him and his staff it would be shocking. The Cardinal have recruited the 2024 class well, and there will be better days ahead but right now they need to get experience in everything. 

Most pressure: USC

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USC has the best quarterback in the country, best offensive mind in the country, and an improved roster heading into 2023. They came up short last season in Lincoln Riley's first season at head coach, but heading into this season it already feels like it is Pac-12 title or bust for them. They had the conference won a year ago, but blew a double digit lead against Utah. If their defense fails them again, or Williams is unable to carry this team to the promise land it would surely be a disappointment. Meaning, they need to win the conference at worst in order to not be considered failures.