CFN Pac 12 Preview 2020: 5 Things That Matter. Top Players, Coaches, Games, Thoughts

The 2020 Pac 12 Preview with the top players, biggest games, most important transfers, and thoughts on each team.

The 2020 Pac 12 Preview with the top players, biggest games, most important transfers, and thoughts on each team.


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

5. Pac 12 2020 Preview

Quick Note: Like everyone, we’re still waiting to see what’s going to happen in this unprecedented time of college football turmoil. We’re not completely delusional, but let’s have a little fun with what might happen if the season is safely played … somehow.  


Anything interesting happening in the Pac-12 lately?

The league was among the first to push for the idea of a conference-only schedule, the players were at the forefront of a movement to change the dynamic of college sports as we know it, and real life dropped in like a hammer through the Pac-12 region.

And the college football season should be something to watch, too.

With the obvious caveat that all that matters is keeping everyone safe and healthy on all fronts, let’s say the Pac-12 does pull this off.

Let’s say the players have enough of their needs met to get on the field, and let’s hope the powers-that-be earnestly make certain that the safety concerns are addressed to have a season as it was set up by the schedule.

Football-wise, this is going to be awesome.

[jwplayer zttcjcuk]

It would’ve been a whole lot of fun to have seen Ohio State come to Oregon and Michigan play at Washington – and it stinks that Notre Dame and USC aren’t playing – but where’s the sure-thing weak link game for anyone in the ten-game conference-only slate?

Arizona and Colorado might have their issues, but they each have enough to pull off a win over any one of the top teams on their respective schedules.

The same goes for UCLA, Oregon State and Washington State. They’re all going to have their struggles in some way, but it wouldn’t be the slightest bit shocking if they all beat USC, Oregon and Washington, respectively, in the rivalry showdowns.

Stanford is healthy again – it’s going to be good.

Cal has more of an offense to go along with that defense – it’s going to be good.

Arizona State has a killer defense, Utah should have a better one, Washington  should have a stronger one than those two, and USC and Oregon are each coming into the season with legitimate College Football Playoff dreams.

In the end, the league might just be too good from 1-to-12 for anyone to go 10-1 with a Pac-12 Championship for that spot in the CFP.

But let’s not get greedy here.

If the Pac-12 is playing college football this season, that means a whole lot of things ended up going right. If the Pac-12 is playing college football this season, it’s going to be a wildly entertaining show.

CFN Pac 12 Preview 
Teams: Surprise, Disappointments | Top Games
Players To Watch | One Thought On Each Team
CFN Preview 2020: All 130 Team Previews

NEXT: Pac 12 Teams That Will Surprise, Disappoint

Big Ten Preseason Football Predictions For Every Game, Team Records

With the Big Ten 10 game schedule, here are the preseason predictions for every game and who will play for the championship.

With the Big Ten 10 game schedule, here are the preseason predictions for every game and who will play for the championship


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Big Ten Preseason Predicted Finish

East
T1. Michigan
T1. Ohio State
3. Penn State
4. Michigan State
5. Indiana
6. Maryland
7. Rutgers

West
1. Wisconsin
2. Minnesota
T3. Iowa
T3. Nebraska
T5. Northwestern
T5. Purdue
7. Illinois

[jwplayer e0mSNadS]

Big Ten Championship Prediction

Ohio State over Wisconsin

Big Ten East Predictions

2020 Indiana Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 4-6
2019 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2019: 8-5, 2018: 5-7
2020 Indiana Preview

Sept. 4 at Wisconsin L
Sept. 12 Penn State L
Sept. 19 Illinois W
Sept. 26 at Ohio State L
Oct. 3 OPEN DATE
Oct. 10 at Minnesota L
Oct. 17 Michigan L
Oct. 24 Maryland W
Oct. 31 at Rutgers W
Nov. 7 at Michigan State L
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 Purdue W
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern

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2020 Maryland Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 1-9
2019 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2019: 3-9, 2018: 5-7
2020 Maryland Preview

Sept. 5 at Iowa L
Sept. 12 Michigan State L
Sept. 19 Rutgers W
Sept. 26 at Northwestern L
Oct. 3 Wisconsin L
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 at Penn State L
Oct. 24 at Indiana L
Oct. 31 Ohio State L
Nov. 7 at Michigan L
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 Minnesota L
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Illinois, Nebraska, Purdue

2020 Michigan Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 9-1
2019 Preseason Prediction: 11-1
2019: 9-4, 2018: 10-3
2020 Michigan Preview

Sept. 5 Purdue W
Sept. 12 at Minnesota W
Sept. 19 Penn State W
Sept. 26 at Rutgers W
Oct. 3 Michigan State W
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 at Indiana W
Oct. 24 at Ohio State L
Oct. 31 Wisconsin W
Nov. 7 Maryland W
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 at Northwestern W
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska

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2020 Michigan State Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 5-5
2019 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2019: 7-6, 2018: 7-6
2020 Michigan State Preview

Sept. 5 Minnesota W
Sept. 12 at Maryland W
Sept. 19 Northwestern W
Sept. 26 at Penn State L
Oct. 3 at Michigan L
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 Ohio State L
Oct. 24 Rutgers W
Oct. 31 at Iowa L
Nov. 7 Indiana W
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 at Nebraska L
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin

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2020 Ohio State Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 9-1
2019 Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2019: 13-1, 2018: 13-1
2020 Ohio State Preview

Sept. 3 at Illinois W
Sept. 12 Rutgers W
Sept. 19 at Purdue W
Sept. 26 Indiana W
Oct. 3 OPEN DATE
Oct. 10 Nebraska W
Oct. 17 at Michigan State W
Oct. 24 Michigan W
Oct. 31 at Maryland W
Nov. 7 at Penn State L
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 Iowa W
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Minnesota, Northwestern, Wisconsin

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2020 Penn State Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 8-2
2019 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2019: 11-2, 2018: 9-4
2020 Penn State Preview

Sept. 5 Northwestern W
Sept. 12 at Indiana W
Sept. 19 at Michigan L
Sept. 26 Michigan State W
Oct. 3 at Rutgers W
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 Maryland W
Oct. 24 Iowa W
Oct. 31 at Nebraska L
Nov. 7 Ohio State W
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 at Illinois W
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Minnesota, Purdue, Wisconsin

2020 Rutgers Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 0-10
2019 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2019: 2-10, 2018: 1-11
2020 Rutgers Preview

Sept. 5 Nebraska L
Sept. 12 at Ohio State L
Sept. 19 at Maryland L
Sept. 26 Michigan L
Oct. 3 Penn State L
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 at Purdue L
Oct. 24 at Michigan State L
Oct. 31 Indiana L
Nov. 7 Illinois L
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 at Wisconsin L
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Iowa, Minnesota, Northwestern

NEXT: Big Ten West Predictions

College Football Cavalcade: Pac-12 Players Boycott Threat. How It Could – And Couldn’t – Work

The Pac-12 football players are threatening a boycott unless their list of demands is met. It has a chance to work … maybe.

The Pac-12 football players are threatening a boycott unless their list of demands is met. It has a chance to work … maybe.


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Sorry if this take sucks, it’s not my fault …

Actually, I AM your entertainment, I’m not a human being.

[jwplayer zttcjcuk]

But they have their head over the skis by demanding the release of the nine members of the Asian Dawn movement

Pac-12 players, before I begin …

I’m with you.

I’m 100% on your side, hopeful that your threats to boycott the season end up sparking a much-needed reboot of the college athletic model.

I’ve been a players’ rights advocate since CFN started back in 1998, and I interviewed Ramogi Huma before most of you were born, but …

You’re about to get totally creamed unless you get three things at the highest of levels.

Representation, representation, representation.

You actually think the sport that’s been rolling over the last 150 years is going to buckle now?

You think a major conference will have any sort of a problem waiting out the next six months in order to keep its self-serving system in place?

Again, I’M WITH YOU, Pac-12 players, but exactly what kind of leverage do you really think you have here?

All of your points and demands in the letter published by The Players Tribune at least deserve to be discussed, but you’re going to lose unless you have someone who can punch in the weight class with the Pac-12 and the NCAA.

There’s some hinting at an agent or lawyer being the “representation” when it comes to liability waivers, but you also need a big-time professional specialist – no, I won’t make any reference to Spencer Strasmore – whose high-powered sports management firm eats major corporate litigation and negotiation battles for a mid-morning snack.

Go it alone, and the potential to get destroyed in the PR battle is enormous. It starts with …

The possible second Great Depression holding on line 2

Players, read … the … room.

You’re never wrong with the Jerry Jones five keys to sales success – ask for the money, and forget the other four – but here’s one of your big misfires in your demand letter.

“Because we should be included in equitably sharing the revenue our talents generate, especially in a pandemic, #WeAreUnited.”

You’re demanding this NOW?!

WHAT REVENUE?

YES, Pac-12 players, you deserve a cut of a pie. YES, you deserve to have full rights to your names, images, and likenesses. YES, schools do generate revenue off of licensing and other ways that you should get a part of, but in case you haven’t noticed, college sports in the fall of 2020 are nothing more than a delusional dream at the moment.

What, you’re going to boycott the season if you don’t get a cut of the football revenue from a 2020 campaign that either won’t happen, or will happen with no fans in the stands?

You think if you boycott playing football in 2020 there’s going to be the slightest appetite for any of your demands being met in 2021 – if things are close to normal again – when schools are trying to piece things back together?

Do you not see athletic departments all over the country slashing and cutting everything possible?

You might be totally in the right, but when it comes to optics and the national focus on school and colleges right now, you could lose everything on this alone considering every college parent is freaking the freak out over 1) sending the kid away to college while 2) blowing tens of thousands of dollars for a glorified streaming service.

Remember, Pac-12 players. The rich old people at the table became rich old people by being very, very good at this

Players, the possibility of college football happening in 2020 is hanging by the barest of threads. Don’t think for a moment that the Pac-12 – who’s this close to cancelling the whole thing anyway – won’t steamroll you and your demands by coming out with something like this if it thinks it can’t and won’t have a season …

“We hear you, Pac-12 student-athletes, and we’re looking forward to having an in-depth and meaningful dialogue to address each and every one of these issues. Out of concern for your safety and health in this time of an unprecedented global pandemic, and with an abundance of caution, we’re cancelling the 2020 fall athletic calendar for all sports. Student-athlete safety has, and always will be, the Pac-12’s top priority.”

Boycott movement over.

Or, maybe the Pac-12 chooses to go forward no matter who’s playing and sends out a press release like …

“We acknowledge the concerns of our student-athletes whose voices must be heard in these unprecedented times. We respect the wishes of those who choose to opt out for any reason as we push forward in what we hope to be a safe and exciting 2020 college football campaign.”

And then the Pac-12 plays its ten-game conference-only schedule, even if its with teams half full of walk-ons.

Boycott movement really over.

Then what? What’s your play, Pac-12 players?

And then, while you’re looking for a massive overhaul in the revenue model, there’s this from your letter of demands …

“End lavish facility expenditures and use some endowment funds to preserve all sports.”

Yeaaaaaah, okay … how many players chose a given school partly because of the kick-ass locker room and snazz facilities? (Hey, Oregon, how’s it goin’?)

It’s not like Stanford just whacked a slew of sports for something to do. Players, you might be demanding that they return, but while you’re fighting for social justice and change, you’re really trying to force a shift in the endowment system for … non-revenue sports?

Whatever. Go for it, Pac-12 players. You’re in the right, but …

Start with the sure-thing battles you can win.

Again … representation.

Focus all of your arguments on the demanded third party representation for your safety when it comes to COVID testing, protocols, and best practices.

If you say you don’t want to go to fall workouts because you don’t trust the schools’ ability to keep you safe from the virus – boom. No one outside of the super-cool cornonabro deniers will say boo about you wanting to protect your health and well-being.

Get what’s there for the taking and don’t try to get too cute – that includes trying to redo the collegiate athletic budgets.

Complaining about the salaries of coaches and Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott – which you’re SO right about – will be greeted with a condescending laugh finished off with a sneer. They might temporarily cut their own salaries for PR purposes, but overall, if there’s something beyond a non-starter, that’s it.

[lawrence-related id=517122]

Several of the other demands are more than gettable.

The NIL battle is almost all a positive. It’s going to take a fully-focused effort and – to be totally obnoxious by further hammering the already submerged nail – the proper representation to work with a Congress that appears to have a friendly lean to the players’ side.

You can win that.

A task force of leaders and experts to help end racial injustice in college sports and society is a given. That’s an easy win.

Participation in the charity work of your choosing, allow for a one-time player transfer without punishment, and the ability to return to school seven days after the draft if a player changes his mind about leaving early. You can win all of those.

The 50% revenue cut has zero shot, and the six-year health insurance idea after eligibility – which, I’d argue, doesn’t go nearly far enough – isn’t happening, but …

Someone has to try.

There’s no perfect way to do these things, and I do hope I’m wrong and the Pac-12 doesn’t put this away on the opening drive, but there’s something here to work off of. You started the discussion.

Thanks, Pac-12 players. Go for it.

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Pac-12 Football Week 1 Early Predictions, What The Lines Should Be

With the Pac-12 football season scheduled to start on September 26th, here’s a first look at each game with predictions and possible lines.

The Pac-12 is playing a 10-game conference-only season, scheduled to start on September 26th. Here’s a quick first look at each game with predictions and possible lines.


 Pete Fiutak @PeteFiutak

Let’s just assume we really will have a college football season. Everyone will be safe, everything will go off without a hitch, and …

Let’s just hope this thing responsibly gets off the ground.

Done before the lines are released for the September 26th games – and blowing off that first week is very, very flexible – here are the first guesses, predictions, and line projections for Week 1 of the Pac-12 season.

[jwplayer zttcjcuk]

Get all lines and bet on all sports at BetMGM

Colorado vs Oregon

Saturday, September 26
Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR

Knee-Jerk Instant Analysis: A case could be made that this will be the 1 vs. 12 game in the overall Pac-12 power rankings – and it’s a perfect chance for Karl Dorrell to come up with a massive opening statement in his Colorado head coaching career.

The expectations will be through the roof for the loaded Ducks, but the Buffaloes should have just enough on the lines to keep this from being the 45-3 wipeout of last year. Oregon will win, but it’ll take a half to heat up.

First Thought Prediction: Oregon 38, Colorado 16
First Thought Line Guess: Oregon -23.5
Bet on this with BetMGM

Preseason Pac-12 Predictions For Every Game

Cal vs Oregon State

Saturday, September 26
Reser Stadium, Corvallis, OR

Knee-Jerk Instant Analysis: Just how good is Cal? The Bears have a sneaky-good team with what looks to be another amazing defense to go along with an offense that should start to do something positive on a regular basis if QB Chase Garbers can stay in one piece.

Just how good is Oregon State? The Beavers might not have the lines, but they have the linebacking corps and the skill guys to be one of the Pac-12’s teams to watch out for. They beat the Bears 21-17 last year in Berkeley, but Garbers was out.

First Thought Prediction: Cal 26, Oregon State 20
First Thought Line Guess: Cal -2.5
Bet on this with BetMGM


2020 Pac-12 Team Previews, 5 Things To Know
North Cal | Oregon | Oregon State
Stanford | Washington | Washington State
South Arizona | Arizona State | Colorado
UCLA | USC | Utah


Utah vs Washington State

Saturday, September 26
Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA

Knee-Jerk Instant Analysis: There might be bigger Pac-12 games on a national scale in Week 1, but this might just be the most interesting. Utah has a whole slew of changes to make in the offensive backfield – but it’s going to be just fine. Washington State has a whole slew of changes with the new coaching staff – but it’s going to be fine.

On the road, the Utes are going to pound and pound some more on an okay Wazzu defensive front. The offensive line will take over right away and make things easier for everyone else. The Utah secondary will hold up just enough against the Cougar passing game.

First Thought Prediction: Utah 34, Washington State 17
First Thought Line Guess: Utah -9.5
Bet on this with BetMGM

NEXT: Arizona State vs Arizona, Stanford vs Washington, USC vs UCLA

Pac 12 Football Predictions For Every Game, Predicted Records

With the Pac-12 10 game schedule, here are the preseason predictions for every game and who will play for the championship

With the Pac-12 10 game schedule, here are the preseason predictions for every game and who will play for the championship


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Pac-12 Preseason Predicted Finish

North
1. Oregon
2. Washington
T3. Cal
T3. Stanford
T5. Oregon State
T5. Washington State

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

Pac-12 Championship Prediction

Oregon over USC

Pac-12 Predictions: North

2020 Cal Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 6-4
2019 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2019: 8-5, 2018: 7-6
2020 Cal Preview

Sept. 26 at Oregon State W
Oct. 3 at USC L
Oct. 10 Washington L
Oct. 17 at Washington State L
Oct. 24 Stanford W
Oct. 31 OPEN DATE
 Nov. 7 Oregon W
 Nov. 14 at Arizona W
 Nov. 21 Utah W
 Nov. 28 at Arizona State L
 Dec. 4 UCLA W
 Dec. 12 OPEN DATE

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2020 Oregon Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2020 Preseason Pac-12 Prediction: 8-1
2019 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2019: 12-2, 2018: 9-4
2020 Oregon Preview

Sept. 26 Colorado W
Oct. 3 at Washington State W
Oct. 10 at Arizona State W
Oct. 17 at USC W
Oct. 24 OPEN DATE
Oct. 31 Washington W
 Nov. 6 at Cal L
 Nov. 14 USC W
 Nov. 20 at Arizona W
 Nov. 28 Stanford W
 Dec. 5 at Utah W
 Dec. 12 OPEN DATE

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2020 Oregon State Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 4-6
2019 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2019: 5-7, 2018: 2-10
2020 Oregon State Preview

Sept. 26 Cal L
Oct. 3 UCLA W
Oct. 10 at Utah L
Oct. 17 Oregon L
Oct. 24 at Washington L
Oct. 31 OPEN DATE
 Nov. 7 Arizona W
 Nov. 14 at Stanford L
 Nov. 21 Washington State W
 Nov. 28 at Colorado W
 Dec. 5 at Arizona State L
 Dec. 12 OPEN DATE

2020 Stanford Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 6-4
2019 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2019: 4-8, 2018: 9-4
2020 Stanford Preview

Sept. 26 at Washington L
Oct. 3 at Arizona State L
Oct. 10 USC W
Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
Oct. 24 at Cal L
Oct. 30 Washington State W
 Nov. 7 at UCLA W
 Nov. 14 Oregon State W
 Nov. 21 Colorado W
 Nov. 28 at Oregon L
 Dec. 5 Arizona W
 Dec. 12 OPEN DATE

CFN 2020 Preseason All-Pac-12 Team

2020 Washington Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 7-3
2019 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2019: 8-5, 2018: 10-4
2020 Washington Preview

Sept. 26 Stanford W
Oct. 3 Arizona W
Oct. 10 at Cal W
Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
Oct. 24 Oregon State W
Oct. 31 at Oregon L
 Nov. 6 Colorado W
 Nov. 14 at Utah L
 Nov. 21 UCLA W
 Nov. 27 at Washington State W
 Dec. 5 at USC L
 Dec. 12 OPEN DATE

2020 Washington State Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 4-6
2019 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2019: 6-7, 2018: 11-2
2020 Washington State Preview

Sept. 26 Utah W
Oct. 3 Oregon L
Oct. 10 at UCLA W
Oct. 17 Cal W
Oct. 24 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Stanford L
 Nov. 7 at USC L
 Nov. 14 Arizona State W
 Nov. 21 at Oregon State L
 Nov. 27 Washington L
 Dec. 5 at Colorado L
 Dec. 12 OPEN DATE

NEXT: Pac-12 South Predictions, Schedules

Cal Football Schedule 2020: Pac-12 10 Game Season

Cal football schedule with the Pac-12 10 game season

Cal football schedule with the Pac-12 10 game season


Cal Football Schedule 2020

[jwplayer nRWCAU2d]

Sept. 26 at Oregon State

Oct. 3 at USC

Oct. 10 Washington

Oct. 17 at Washington State

Oct. 24 Stanford

Oct. 31 OPEN DATE

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Nov. 7 Oregon

Nov. 14 at Arizona

Nov. 21 Utah

Nov. 28 at Arizona State

Dec. 4 UCLA

Dec. 12 OPEN DATE

Missed: Colorado

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Pac 12 Rankings: 2020 CFN Five Year College Football Program Analysis

In the 2020 CFN Five-Year College Football Program Analysis, where do all the Pac-12 teams rank?

In the 2020 CFN Five-Year College Football Program Analysis, where do all the Pac-12 teams rank?


It’s our annual look at where all the college football programs rank with a five-year snapshot looking at attendance, players drafted, APR, and wins, wins, wins.

How do all of the Pac-12 college football programs stack up over the last five seasons?

Which college football programs are doing the best jobs overall, which once have all the advantages, and most of all, who’s winning?

How are the rankings determined? Click here for all of the category descriptions.

Five-Year Program Analysis Categories, Rankings
2019 5-Year Program Analysis Rankings 1-130
FBS Wins | Attendance | Quality Wins
Elite Wins | Bad Losses | Bad Wins | Elite Losses
Conference Win % | APR | NFL Draft
Ranking Categories Explained

[jwplayer zttcjcuk]

Contact @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

12 Oregon State 32.09

2020 National Ranking: 110
2019 National Ranking: 113
2018 National Ranking: 98
2017 National Ranking: 73

11 Arizona 44.68

2020 National Ranking: 92
2019 National Ranking: 62
2018 National Ranking: 51
2017 National Ranking: 40

10 Colorado 55.08

2020 National Ranking: 74
2019 National Ranking: 89
2018 National Ranking: 84
2017 National Ranking: 90

2020 CFN Five Year Program Analysis: Rankings 1-130

9 California 63.47

2020 National Ranking: 54
2019 National Ranking: 73
2018 National Ranking: 79
2017 National Ranking: 77

8 Arizona State 70.19

2020 National Ranking: 44
2019 National Ranking: 37
2018 National Ranking: 29
2017 National Ranking: 36

7 Washington State 73.57

2020 National Ranking: 41
2019 National Ranking: 39
2018 National Ranking: 56
2017 National Ranking: 76


2020 Pac-12 Team Previews, 5 Things To Know
North Cal | Oregon | Oregon State
Stanford | Washington | Washington State
South Arizona | Arizona State | Colorado
UCLA | USC | Utah


6 UCLA 75.96

2020 National Ranking: 35
2019 National Ranking: 28
2018 National Ranking: 16
2017 National Ranking: 14

5 Oregon 84.33

2020 National Ranking: 25
2019 National Ranking: 21
2018 National Ranking: 20
2017 National Ranking: 12

4 Utah 97.10

2020 National Ranking: 18
2019 National Ranking: 23
2018 National Ranking: 33
2017 National Ranking: 38

[lawrence-related id=516585]

3 Stanford 100.11

2020 National Ranking: 16
2019 National Ranking: 8
2018 National Ranking: 6
2017 National Ranking: 5

2 USC 100.28

2020 National Ranking: 15
2019 National Ranking: 13
2018 National Ranking: 7
2017 National Ranking: 10

1 Washington 107.19

2020 National Ranking: 12
2019 National Ranking: 17
2018 National Ranking: 22
2017 National Ranking: 30

CFN Program Analysis Ranking Categories

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Pac-12 Preseason Rankings: CFN College Football Preview 2020

In what might be the craziest of college football seasons, how good are all of the teams? Here are the CFN Pac-12 Preseason Rankings.

In what might be the craziest of college football seasons, how good are all of the teams? Here are the CFN Pac-12 Preseason Rankings of every team.


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

This is NOT a ranking of where the teams are going to end up. This is only based on how good we think the Pac-12 teams are going into whatever the 2020 season is going to be.

CFN Preview 2020: All 130 Team Previews

[jwplayer JOxhyaFo]

12. Arizona Wildcats

Arizona CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the offense should be more dangerous. As long as Grant Gunnell can be steady at quarterback, the receiving corps will be in place to make the league’s third-best passing game from last year even more effective.

Be Concerned About … the defense still needs a whole lot of work. The transfer of LB Tony Fields stings from a D that finished dead last in the Pa-12 and 120th in the nation in total yards allowed and gave up 36 points per game. The line has to start finding its way into the backfield.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the Cats go bowling. It’s the third year under Kevin Sumlin without a bowl appearance, a winning season, or a win over Arizona State. Coming into the year on a seven-game losing streak, a hot start is a must.

[jwplayer jdbmJs7F]

11. Colorado Buffaloes

Colorado CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the start of the Karl Dorrell era. No, really … he’s going to be better than he’s being given credit for. Okay, so he’s not the Eric Biemiemy hire that so many Buff fans were hoping would happen, but he’ll be a steady hand who should hang around the program for a while. He takes over a defensive front that should turn into something solid at getting into the backfield, but …

Be Concerned About … it’s going to take a big change to start generating more pressure. Former head coach Mel Tucker was a defensive coach, and the Buffs still finished last in the Pac-12 in tackles for loss and gave up too many big pass plays. The ends are there, and now the plays behind the line have to come.

The Season Will Be Successful If … the Buffs finish .500 or better – depending on how the conference slate looks. 5-7, 5-7, 5-7 – that has been Colorado over the last three seasons. Winning half the games or better would be a huge start for the new staff.

Ranking All Head Coaches: By Conference

10. UCLA Bruins

UCLA CFN 2020 Preview

Be Excited About … the offensive pieces that are supposed to be in place in the third year under Chip Kelly. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a veteran now who should know what he’s doing, and Washington transfer Colson Yankoff is an option, too. It’s time for this whole thing to work, but …

Be Concerned About … a defense that desperately needs the secondary to be better. The experience is there, Stephan Blaylock is a terrific safety, and there should be a little bit of a pass rush. After finishing with the second-worst pass defense in college football, there’s almost nowhere to go but up.

The Season Will Be Successful If … UCLA goes to a bowl game. This was supposed to be the year when everything was rocking and rolling, but the Bruins are only 7-17 under Kelly. The Pac-12 South is still mediocre, but the window might be closing to take advantage of it.

NEXT: More Pac-12 Preseason Rankings

Pac-12 Conference Only Football Schedule. 5 Things To Know

The Big Ten will move to a Pac-12-only conference schedule this fall. Here are 5 things to know including the lost games we’ll miss the most

The Big Ten will move to a Pac-12-only conference schedule this fall. Here are 5 things to know including the lost games we’ll miss the most, and what’s about to happen.


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Pac-12 to go with a conference-only schedule. 5 Things To Know.

The Pac-12 announced that it’s about to follow the Big Ten’s lead and go with a conference-only schedule.

What are the five big things that matter?

[jwplayer lEDBLOLS]

5. It’s probably going to be a ten game Pac-12 season … maybe

4. The Big Loser Is …
3. Ranking The Lost Non-Conference Games
2. Every Pac-12 Team’s Missing Pac-12 Games
1. Pac-12 Schedule: What Will Happen?

It would make the most sense in terms of competitive balance if it’s an 11-game all-Pac-12 schedule – everyone plays everyone.

At the moment, UCLA and Utah both miss Oregon. In an 11-game schedule, no big whoop since the Bruins and Utes would play the loaded Ducks just like everyone else win, but in a ten-game slate, one of those two would catch a massive break.

After doing some digging, friend of the program @MichaelJLev – football reporter for the Arizona Daily Star – thinks the odds-on favorite model will be ten games, mostly for the same reason that the Big Ten will go with it – flexibility.

The idea might be to go two games on, one off, to allow as much rest and as many options to move things around as possible.

And here’s where it gets quirky.

ESPN reported that the Pac-12 would be thinking about delaying the start of the season to buy more time for USC and UCLA, because the Los Angeles area is such a hot spot.

So then what? Start in October? A ten-game season might be pushed well into December, and then what happens to the College Football Playoff rankings and the bowl games? Would a backloaded schedule be packed together, or could it be spread out over 14 weeks or so by starting in September?

Let’s just say it’s a fluid situation.

NEXT: The big loser is …

2020 Pac-12 Schedules, Team-By-Team Predictions For Every Game

What’s going to happen this season in the Pac-12? The schedules and predictions for each team and every game. 

What’s going to happen this college football season in the Pac-12? The schedules and predictions for each team and every game. 


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Pac-12 Schedules, Predictions

2020 Preseason Pac-12 Championship Prediction
Oregon vs. USC

2020 Pac-12 Team Previews, 5 Things To Know
North Cal | Oregon | Oregon State
Stanford | Washington | Washington State
South Arizona | Arizona State | Colorado
UCLA | USC | Utah

Pac-12 North Schedules, Predictions

2020 Cal Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2020 Preseason Pac-12 Prediction: 4-5
2019 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2019: 8-5, 2018: 7-6
2020 Cal Preview

Aug. 29 at UNLV W
Sept. 5 TCU W
Sept. 12 Cal Poly W
Sept. 19 OPEN DATE
Sept. 26 Utah W
Oct. 3 at Washington State L
Oct. 10 at USC L
Oct. 17 Oregon W
Oct. 24 at Oregon State L
Oct. 31 Washington L
Nov. 7 at Arizona State L
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 Stanford W
Nov. 28 UCLA W

[jwplayer lEDBLOLS]

2020 Oregon Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2020 Preseason Pac-12 Prediction: 8-1
2019 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2019: 12-2, 2018: 9-4
2020 Oregon Preview

Sept. 5 North Dakota State W
Sept. 12 Ohio State L
Sept. 19 Hawaii W
Sept. 26 at Colorado W
Oct. 3 Washington W
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 at Cal L
Oct. 24 Stanford W
Oct. 31 at Arizona W
Nov. 7 USC W
Nov. 13 Arizona State W
Nov. 21 at Washington State W
Nov. 28 at Oregon State W

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2020 Oregon State Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2020 Preseason Pac-12 Prediction: 4-5
2019 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2019: 5-7, 2018: 2-10
2020 Oregon State Preview

Sept. 3 at Oklahoma State L
Sept. 12 Colorado State W
Sept. 19 Portland State W
Sept. 26 Washington State W
Oct. 3 at Arizona State L
Oct. 10 at Washington L
Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
Oct. 24 Cal W
Oct. 31 at Stanford L
Nov. 7 UCLA W
Nov. 14 at Utah L
Nov. 21 Arizona W
Nov. 28 Oregon L

2020 Stanford Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2020 Preseason Pac-12 Prediction: 5-4
2019 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2019: 4-8, 2018: 9-4
2020 Stanford Preview

Sept. 5 William & Mary W
Sept. 12 at Arizona W
Sept. 19 USC W
Sept. 26 at UCLA L
Oct. 3 OPEN DATE
Oct. 10 at Notre Dame L
Oct. 17 Washington State W
Oct. 24 at Oregon L
Oct. 30 Oregon State W
Nov. 7 at Washington L
Nov. 14 Colorado W
Nov. 21 at Cal L
Nov. 28 BYU W

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2020 Washington Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2020 Preseason Pac-12 Prediction: 6-3
2019 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2019: 8-5, 2018: 10-4
2020 Washington Preview

Sept. 5 Michigan W
Sept. 12 Sacramento State W
Sept. 19 Utah State W
Sept. 26 OPEN DATE
Oct. 3 at Oregon L
Oct. 10 Oregon State W
Oct. 17 at Utah L
Oct. 23 Arizona W
Oct. 31 at Cal W
Nov. 7 Stanford W
Nov. 14 at USC L
Nov. 21 Colorado W
Nov. 27 at Washington State W

2020 Washington State Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Record: 0-0
2020 Preseason Prediction: 3-6
2020 Preseason Pac-12 Prediction: 6-6
2019 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2019: 6-7, 2018: 11-2
2020 Washington State Preview

Sept. 5 at Utah State W
Sept. 12 Houston W
Sept. 19 Idaho W
Sept. 26 at Oregon State L
Oct. 3 Cal W
Oct. 10 Utah W
Oct. 17 at Stanford L
Oct. 24 OPEN DATE
Oct. 31 Arizona State W
Nov. 7 at Colorado L
Nov. 14 at UCLA L
Nov. 21 Oregon L
Nov. 27 Washington L

NEXT: Pac-12 South Schedules, Predictions