2021 CFN Pac-12 Preseason Rankings: South
1. USC Trojans
Quick Take: It’s going to be an interesting year. There’s no Oregon or Washington to deal with, and the trip to Notre Dame should be the only time the Trojans are underdogs – the date at ASU might be close, too. This isn’t a special team, but the parts are there – along with that schedule – to be in the hunt for a massive season.
USC Preview | Schedule
2. Arizona State Sun Devils
Quick Take: The offseason darling of the college football media world still has to prove it can crank up a consistently good season. There’s enough talent to win the South – and the Pac-12 title – and missing Oregon from the North is a giant break.The passing game and defensive front seven will dominate at times.
Arizona State Preview | Schedule
3. Utah Utes
Quick Take: Very, very under the radar, the Utes have the lines, the defense, and the makeup to slide on into a third trip to the Pac-12 title in the last four years if they can catch a few breaks. They miss Washington, but they have to go to USC.
Utah Preview | Schedule
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4. UCLA Bruins
Quick Take: Enough’s enough – the guys Chip Kelly needs should be there. The special teams are great, the safeties are among the best in the league, and QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been around long enough to make the O more consistent.
UCLA Preview | Schedule
5. Colorado Buffaloes
Quick Take: The Buffs were the big Pac-12 surprise of 2020, but it should be a rougher run with a tougher schedule highlighted by a brutal finishing kick of four road games in the final six. The linebacking corps is a plus and the running game will be great, but it’ll be more of a grind.
Colorado Preview | Schedule
6. Arizona Wildcats
Quick Take: Give it a year or so. New head coach Jedd Fisch is trying to change around everything with the Wildcats – there’s going to be a defense in the near future – but 2021 will be measured in baby steps.
Arizona Preview | Schedule
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