The Pac-12 is under siege and needs a quick start to change the national perception that it can't compete against the nation’s elite teams.
That's why Oregon must find a way to beat Auburn in the season opener on Aug. 31, or the conference might have trouble finding a team capable of making the College Football Playoff.
MORE: Ranking Pac-12 coaches for 2019 season
At least the Ducks look the part with star quarterback Justin Herbert and the No. 7 recruiting class in 2019 that makes Oregon the early choice to win the Pac-12.
But parity is a key to the Pac-12’s strength — and demise. So Washington, Stanford, Utah, USC and almost anyone else might challenge for the title. But will anyone produce a record worthy of the College Football Playoff? No one has since 2016. Sporting News' predictions for the Pac-12 in 2019:
Odds to win 2019 Pac-12 championship
Las Vegas has two teams from the Pac-12 North in a neck-and-neck raise to win the conference in 2019. Oregon comes in first at +215 odds, while Washington is at +220. Utah leads all Pac-12 South teams with +300 odds. The full odds listings to win the Pac-12 championship, per Bovada:
Oregon +215
Washington +220
Utah +300
Washington State +850
USC +900
Stanford +1800
Arizona State +2500
California +2500
UCLA +2500
Arizona +2800
Colorado +7500
Oregon State +15000
Pac-12 South predictions
1. Utah
2. USC
3. Arizona State
4. UCLA
5. Arizona
6. Colorado
Utah was picked by the media to win the Pac-12 South for the first time since joining the conference in 2011. With quarterback Tyler Huntley and tailback Zack Moss returning, the Utes have the leadership needed to win the South. But it won’t be easy. USC is getting so little hype, it might actually help the Trojans if they can overcome distractions regarding Clay Helton and get consistent play at quarterback. UCLA was so young last season that it has to be better under second-year coach Chip Kelly. Arizona has quarterback Khalil Tate back, and he should be motivated after a disappointing 2018 season. Arizona State flashed at times last season, but needs to find a quarterback between freshman Jayden Daniels and junior Dillon Sterling-Cole. Colorado has veteran quarterback Steven Montez, but needs new coach Mel Tucker to improve the defense.
Pac-12 South X-Factor: Second-year coaches
Kelly, Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin and Arizona State coach Herm Edwards are in their second seasons. Who will make a breakthrough?
Pac-12 South sleeper: Arizona State
The Sun Devils won four of their final five regular-season games to generate momentum for2019, and have a favorable schedule that skips Washington and Stanford in cross-division games. The caveat is Arizona State usually struggles as soon as anyone expects anything from them.
Pac-12 South biggest games
Utah at USC (Sept. 20): The Utes have never won at the Los Angeles Coliseum. If they want to win the Pac-12 South, they'll have to do it on a Friday night.
UCLA vs. Stanford (Oct. 17): The Bruins have lost 11 straight times to the Cardinal. If this year is going to be different for UCLA, it must defeat Stanford.
Utah vs. Washington (Nov. 2): Let’s say the Utes really are in contention to win the Pac-12 South. The trip to Seattle is the big obstacle at the end of the season. If the Utes win this game, then they deserve to win the South.
POWER 5 PRIMERS: ACC | SEC | B10 | B12
Pac-12 North predictions
1. Oregon
2. Washington
3. Stanford
4. Washington State
5. California
6. Oregon State
The North teams must always be jealous when they look at the South. There really isn’t a pushover in the North outside of Oregon State, and you can make strong cases for Oregon, Washington or Stanford to win the division. Even Cal is expected to be better once the Bears pick a quarterback between Chase Garbers or UCLA transfer Devon Modster. Washington loses nine defensive starters and four-year starters at quarterback and tailback, but who doubts Chris Petersen? Washington State needs to replace quarterback Gardner Minshew, so expectations may be tempered. Oregon State should be better under second-year coach Jonathan Smith than last season, but would do well if it could just escape the North’s cellar.
Pac-12 North X-Factor: Washington's new starters
Washington seems poised to contend every year — but can it overcome the loss of quarterback Jake Browning, tailback Myles Gaskin and leading tackler Ben Burr-Kirven?
Pac-12 North sleeper: Stanford
With all the pressure on Oregon and Washington, the Cardinal are in a decent position with three-year starter K.J. Costello at quarterback. Stanford also gets Oregon and Washington at home. But the first half of the season is brutal, with Northwestern, USC, Central Florida, Oregon and Washington.
Pac-12 North biggest games
Oregon at Stanford (Sept 21): Cardinal coach David Shaw likes to talk about how the Pac-12 beats itself up. Well, Oregon better avoid an early road loss if it wants to be the class of the Pac-12 North.
Oregon vs. Washington (Oct. 19): This looks like the game of the season in the Pac-12. The Huskies not only have the homefield advantage, but also want to avenge last year’s overtime loss that eliminated them from Playoff contention.
Washington State vs. Washington (Nov. 29): If Leach wants to take the Cougars to the next level, he needs to beat the Huskies again. Washington State hasn’t won the Apple Cup since 2012, Leach's first season in Pullman.
MORE: Pac-12 championship to played in Raiders' Las Vegas stadium in 2020-21
Pac-12 Heisman hopefuls
Justin Herbert, Oregon. If Herbert can develop a relationship with Penn State transfer Juwan Johnson and some of the young wide receivers, he should produce the numbers required to mount a serious Heisman campaign.
K.J. Costello, Stanford. Costello passed for 3,540 yards, 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last year, but there was plenty of room for improvement. If he does improve, he would be a natural Heisman candidate.
Pac-12 coach with something to prove: Clay Helton, USC
Helton is on the hot seat and the first six games are crucial. If the Trojans can't handle games with Stanford, BYU, Utah, Washington and Notre Dame, the second half of the season could be a complete meltdown. The dilemma for many USC fans is they might just root against the Trojans until Helton is fired.
Pac-12 stat that matters: 15
The Pac-12 has not won a national title in 15 seasons: the biggest drought for a Power 5 conference. It hasn't played in a national championship game since 2014 and hasn't made the Playoff since 2016.
Pac-12's biggest question: Will there be 9 a.m. (PT) kickoffs?
Commissioner Larry Scott wants to increase the national exposure and draw more East Coast attention. Washington State coach Mike Leach is against it, but Utah’s Kyle Whittingham, UCLA’s Kelly and Cal’s Justin Wilcox like the idea. Scott will try anything at this point.
Pac-12 champion: Oregon
Mario Cristobal is in his second year as Ducks coach, and everyone will apparently be on the same page after he fired defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt. Besides Herbert, the Ducks will be boosted by the best recruiting class in school history. Freshman defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux is the highest-rated recruit Oregon has ever signed, and should contribute immediately. The key will be whether the offensive line can weather some losses and protect Herbert adequately. Even with all the buzz, Washington is so consistent under Petersen that some believe the Huskies will win the Pac-12 for the second straight year. But it’s hard to pick against the Ducks with Cristobal’s energy and Herbert’s arm.