Pac-12 Football 2021 Predictions

Before diving into our Pac-12 football 2021 predictions, make sure you check out our previous conference previews:

• ACC Football
• SEC Football
• Big-10 Football
• Big-12 Football

Next up on our conference preview list – the Pac-12.

The last couple of years have not been kind to the Pac-12. It has not had a team in the Playoffs in a few years and normally is out of the running by the mid-way point of the season. As we turn our attention to 2021, the PAC-12 is looking to turn around it’s bad fortune and strengthen it’s reputation.

To do that, it will have to find a way to the playoffs. But that will not be an easy task, though it has teams capable of making a run, those teams over the last couple of years have tended to take a loss when its least afforded.

Will the Pac-12 continue to beat itself on the chase to the playoffs or will it finally rise to the occasion?

Here are your Pac-12 Football 2021 predictions:

Projected order of standings

North Division

1. Oregon
2. Washington
3. Stanford
4. Cal
5. Oregon State
6. Washington State

South Division

1. Utah
2. ASU
3. USC
4. UCLA
5. Colorado
6. Arizona

Pac-12 Awards and Post Season

Predicted Pac-12 Championship

Oregon over Utah

Awards

• Offensive POY – Jayden Daniels, QB, Arizona State
• Defensive POY – Kayvon Thibodeaux, DL, Oregon
• Coach of the Year – Kyle Whittingham, Utah
• Freshman POY – Sam Huard, QB, Washington
• Transfer of the year – Charlie Brewer, QB, Utah

Top 5 Teams Breakdown

See all of the teams and their schedules here.

Oregon

• 2020 Record: 4-3
• Preseason Prediction: 10-2
• Pac-12 Prediction: 8-1
• Predicted losses: Ohio State, UCLA
• Big wins predicted: Stanford, Colorado, Washington, Utah

The road schedule this year for Oregon will be quite tough with contests again Ohio State and Utah. Their success rests solely on the level of the QB play. It could be from senior Anthony Brown or freshman Ty Thompson. Either way they need that spark to be a complete team.

I think the defense will continue to get better with playmakers all over. If they want to make a playoff run though, they need that elite QB play to happen this year.

Utah

• 2020 Record: 3-2
• Preseason Prediction: 10-2
• Pac-12 Prediction: 7-2
• Predicted losses: Arizona State, Oregon
• Big wins predicted: USC, BYU, UCLA

I have seen some wild predictions for Utah this year, from finishing closer to the bottom of the division to winning the division. I think their success rests in the hands of their QB play. It appears that will be Charlie Brewer, and I think he could have a huge impact and lead them to a 10 win season.

I think they could be a complete team this year with a solid defense and a decent offense, they could surprise some people.

Washington

• 2020 Record: 3-1
• Preseason Prediction: 9-3
• Pac-12 Prediction: 7-2
• Predicted losses: Michigan, Oregon, Colorado
• Big wins predicted: Cal, Washington State, Stanford, Arizona State

I’m not sure of what to think about Washington. I feel like ever since the transition of the head coaches that their momentum has waned a bit. I’m not sure if they turn it around this year or not.

What I do know is they have a talent gap at the skill positions and their preferred style of play (running the ball ALOT) is great for winning and closing out games. But it also leads to close games and when you have close games it could lead to losses you shouldn’t have let happen.

Arizona State

• 2020 Record: 2-2
• Preseason Prediction: 9-3
• Pac-12 Prediction: 7-2
• Predicted losses: UCLA, Washington, BYU
• Big wins predicted: Utah, USC, Arizona

I was close to picking a bigger win total for Arizona State. They are talented, have an outstanding QB, and should have some playmakers on defense. My reason for pulling down those expectations a bit is due to the scandal they are currently in with the NCAA. I always look at scandal’s like this one and give the team at least 1 or 2 losses due to the distractions, but I could be totally off base here.

https://atomic-temporary-193391653.wpcomstaging.com/2021/08/10/nfl-new-schedule-thoughts-and-improvements/

USC

• 2020 Record: 5-5
• Preseason Prediction: 9-3
• Pac-12 Prediction: 7-2
• Predicted losses: Notre Dame, Utah, Arizona State
• Big wins predicted: Stanford, Washington State, UCLA

I’ve seen a lot of love for USC this preseason. From a top 10 preseason ranking, to some picking them to win the entire Pac-12. A lot of that has to do with Kedon Slovis and the attention he brings with the thoughts that he is a potential #` pick in the NFL draft. Here is a secret, don’t tell anyone, but I don’t think he is that great. What big games has he won? Does he have a huge arm that I’m missing?

To me his mechanics looked off last season and he tends to get hurt a lot. Maybe this is something he fixed in the offseason and he will prove me wrong. We will see.

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