Do you all think the Pac-12 North is wide open (no "dominant" team) for next season?
Three Pac-12 North teams are having a bunch of transitions:
Then, for other Pac-12 North teams without a bunch of transitions:
Obviously, Cal has decent continuity on the coaching staff (for better or worse), but arguably the most uncertain thing is the lack of returning offense. Cal QB Garbers is gone (for better or worse), so likely transfer Plummer or Kai Millner likely to start. Plus we lost our top experienced WRs and RBs CBrooks and Dancy...but hopefully the young guys will step up.
In my opinion, the Pac-12 North does feel pretty open...unlike the Pac-12 South which has Utah (a likely preseason Top 10 ranked team if it ends up beating Ohio State in the Rose Bowl).
What do folks think?
Three Pac-12 North teams are having a bunch of transitions:
- Oregon. New HC and new staff. New QB of either transfer Bo Nix or possibly Ty Thompson or Butterfield. Plus Thibodeaux to the NFL (he was arguably the biggest difference maker in the 2nd half of Cal's recent loss to the Ducks). Would likely be the Pac-12 North pick for next year, but will undergo a LOT of change and transition
- Washington. New HC, new QB of either transfer Michael Penix Jr or possibly Sam Huard. Plus cornerback Trent McDuffie (likely 1st round pick) has now declared for the NFL...and he was the anchor of their secondary this last year
- Wazzu. New HC (interim coach Jake Dickert now made permanent), same QB (de Laura). But they are moving away from "run and shoot" and to a new scheme they are calling the "Coug Raid" (with a first year Offensive Coordinator) and they just hired a mid-tier DC. Plus RB Max Borghi is finally leaving for the NFL
Then, for other Pac-12 North teams without a bunch of transitions:
- Oregon State. Same HC, same QB. Johnathan Smith has the Beavers trending upwards and they return QB Chance Nolan, but they looked pretty beatable in their loss to Utah State in the recent bowl game
- Furd. Same HC, same QB. David Shaw has Tanner McKee returning, but Furd is 4-8, 4-2, and 3-9 in their last 3 seasons. I've learned to never assume the demise of Furd, but I doubt Furd will be favored to win the North next year
Obviously, Cal has decent continuity on the coaching staff (for better or worse), but arguably the most uncertain thing is the lack of returning offense. Cal QB Garbers is gone (for better or worse), so likely transfer Plummer or Kai Millner likely to start. Plus we lost our top experienced WRs and RBs CBrooks and Dancy...but hopefully the young guys will step up.
In my opinion, the Pac-12 North does feel pretty open...unlike the Pac-12 South which has Utah (a likely preseason Top 10 ranked team if it ends up beating Ohio State in the Rose Bowl).
What do folks think?
