Pac-12 Football 2022 Predictions
Complete expert predictions for the 2022 Pac-12 football season.
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5. California
Just seven starters are back from a team that went 5-7 for coach Justin Wilcox last season. Although there’s a massive amount of turnover in the lineup, contending for a bowl trip should be well within the reach of the ’22 squad. As usual, defense should be the strength of this team. In Pac-12-only games, the Golden Bears ranked second in scoring defense (20.1 points a game) and tied for first in yards per play (5.03) last season. The return of Brett Johnson from injury boosts the line, while Washington transfer Jackson Sirmon is an impact pickup at linebacker. A defense that ranked fourth in the league in pass efficiency defense last season must replace safety Elijah Hicks, but Daniel Scott (safety) and Lu-Magia Hearns III (CB) are back. California’s offense averaged 21.6 points a game in Pac-12 action last season and features big questions in ’22. Purdue transfer Jack Plummer is the favorite to start under center, with Kai Millner also in the mix. Damien Moore (518 yards) returns at running back, but just two starters return up front and the receiving corps lost its top four statistical options from ’21. How fast the offense jells with the new faces will determine just how high this team can climb in the Pac-12 North.
