Pac-12 Media Day 2023 schedule, what to watch for

How and what to watch as the Pac-12 hosts its football media day with plenty of storylines to watch as the season approaches
Pac-12 Media Day 2023 schedule, what to watch for
Pac-12 Media Day 2023 schedule, what to watch for /

One of the key dates on the college football preseason schedule is here as players and coaches descend on Las Vegas for the annual Pac-12 Media Day ahead of the 2023 season, and it will be an event full of important questions to be asked and hopefully some direct answers on the fate of a conference facing an uncertain future.

On the field as well as off, the Pac-12 is facing several existential questions, including the league's likelihood of making the College Football Playoff, the imminent departure of its two Los Angeles based schools in a bombshell realignment move, and the return of the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, USC quarterback Caleb Williams, plus the emergence of Deion Sanders and his stewardship of the Colorado program.

Pac-12 Media Day 2023 schedule

When: Fri., July 21

TV: Pac-12 Network

Stream: fuboTV (Try for free)

When: 8 a.m. Pacific time


When each school takes the stage

All times Pacific

Utah (8:45 a.m.): Head coach Kyle Whittingham, quarterback Cameron Rising, safety Cole Bishop

USC (9:20 a.m.): Head coach Lincoln Riley, quarterback Caleb Williams, linebacker Mason Cobb

Stanford (9:55 a.m.): Head coach Troy Taylor, wide receiver John Humphreys, linebacker Tristan Sinclair

Arizona (10:30 a.m.): Head coach Jedd Fisch, quarterback Jayden de Laura, cornerback Treydan Stukes

Washington State (11:05 a.m.): Head coach Jake Dickert, quarterback Cameron Ward, edge rusher Ron Stone, Jr.

Oregon State (11:40 a.m.): Head coach Jonathan Smith, wide receiver Anthony Gould, defensive back Kitan Oladapo

Washington (1 p.m.): Head coach Kalen DeBoer, quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio

Oregon (1:35 p.m.): Head coach Dan Lanning, quarterback Bo Nix, linebacker Jeffrey Bassa

Arizona State (2:10 p.m.): Head coach Kenny Dillingham, tight end Jalin Conyers, defensive back Jordan Clark

California (2:45 p.m.): Head coach Justin Wilcox, offensive lineman Matthew Cindric, linebacker Jackson Sirmon

Colorado (3:20 p.m.): Defensive coordinator Charles Kelly, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, corner/receiver Travis Hunter

UCLA (3:55 p.m.): Head coach Chip Kelly, offensive lineman Duke Clemens, linebacker Laiatu Latu


What to watch for

No Deion: Unfortunately for those hoping to see new Colorado coach Deion Sanders take the stage, he won't be able to make the trip as he undergoes surgery on his foot amid some ongoing health issues. Defensive coordinator Charles Kelly will speak in place of Prime, and should face questions about the team's unprecedented roster overhaul, but the hope is that Sanders will be ready by fall camp.

What's the deal: The big question around the Pac-12 is the absence of any official statement on its future media broadcasting deal. The current agreement ends on July 1 next year and so far there's been no word on what's next, leading to a torrent of speculation that some teams could entertain leaving the conference. Especially with the Big 12 looking to maybe pick off one or two in its own expansion move. There are major questions here about the long-term future of the league that must be faced.

End of an era: This will be the final season we'll see USC and UCLA as members of a West Coast conference as both are scheduled to move to the Big Ten next July. Coming into 2023, both teams are in position to make a statement on the way out. USC returns its Heisman quarterback at the helm of one of the nation's premier offensive attacks and is being mentioned as a playoff hopeful. UCLA has some intriguing options at quarterback and a favorable schedule that doesn't involve either Oregon or Washington. Could we see these two departing rivals play each other for the Pac-12 title in their final year in the league?

Quarterbacks: In addition to Williams coming back, the Pac-12 could brag about being the league with the best quarterback play in college football. Michael Penix returns to Washington as one of the nation's most productive passers and could emerge as a Heisman hopeful himself. Cam Rising is back under center to potentially lead Utah to a third-straight Pac-12 title. Bo Nix has a chance to put Oregon into the playoff conversation. Cameron Ward (WSU) and Jayden de Laura (Arizona) are elite athletes who can put their teams on the map. Oregon State also improved at the position when Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei joined this offseason. There's plenty of talent all over the Pac-12 at the game's most important position.


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Published
James Parks
JAMES PARKS

James Parks is the founder and publisher of College Football HQ. He previously covered football for 247Sports and CBS Interactive. College Football HQ joined the Sports Illustrated Fannation Network in 2022.