Conference bragging rights have habitually belonged to the SEC, who have won every national championship since 2019. They have also staked claim to nine of the last 13 champions since 2010. If you go back to 2006, that number increases to 13 of the last 17. The SEC has owned the sport.
The claim for second-best conference can go to the Big Ten or ACC but should the Pac-12 have an argument heading into the 2023 season?
According to CBS Sports’ conference power rankings, Barrett Salee has the Pac-12 in the No. 2 spot. That is interesting since the conference is essentially gone after the season. Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington are all Big Ten bound for 2024. The Big Ten checked in at No. 3 on the list. The corner schools will likewise head to greener pastures as they join the No. 5 Big 12.
This might come as a shock to people on the East Coast, but the Pac-12 is loaded and may be the most entertaining league to watch in 2023. The conference boasts at least four teams that have a legitimate shot at making the CFP: No. 6 USC, No. 10 Washington, No. 14 Utah and No. 15 Oregon. Can any of them actually win it? Probably not. But the conference’s depth is as strong as it has been in more than a decade. When you throw in No. 18 Oregon State and a well-coached UCLA squad, “Pac-12 After Dark” is going to be must-see TV in 2023.
As Sallee points out, the Pac-12 is loaded. If you need proof just look at the collection of quarterbacks that will be playing out west. The unfortunate part is the first game of the year features USC taking on San Jose State. No one in the nation will be able to watch the game that will be broadcasted on the Pac-12 Network.
Regardless of their bleak future, fans should tune in for Pac-12 games whenever they are nationally televised.
[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=15]