Autzen Zoo Pac-12 Preseason Poll

Here is the Pac-12 preseason poll for the upcoming 2012 college football season. This poll is the accumulation of all the staff writers’ lists. Teams marked in first place received 11 points, second team acquired 10 points, and so on. Last place didn’t have any points.

If any teams received the same amount of points as another, the tie was broken by who received the best ranking from any of the staff writers.

Overall, the staff was unanimous in the top and bottom of the conference.

USC (4) – 44 points
Mike: While depth could be a problem, the trojans have some of the best first-team talent.
Oregon – 40 points
Brian: A new quarterback will have the advantage of having a complete team around him, along with Chip Kelly calling one of the most unique offenses in the nation.
Stanford – 33 points
Brian: Obviously the team will see a bit of a dip, but there were players around Andrew Luck. David Shaw has this team going in the right direction.
Washington – 30 points
Mike: Keith Price might be the second-best quarterback in the Pac-12, and the Huskies will be better on defense.
Utah – 29 points
Mike: Kyle Wittingham’s team made noise quickly last year falling a game short of winning the south division. They’ll compete.
California – 23 points
Brian: It’s a young team with a veteran in quarterback Zack Maynard. They have seven games in their brand new stadium. The fanbase should be excited, and it will be an interesting year to see if they can make some noise.
UCLA – 20 points
Brian: Already starting with some controversy, Jim Mora needs to change a culture that’s fallen on some hard times.
Arizona State – 12 points
Mike: The Sun Devils have a new coach and replace others plus have a difficult non-conference, expect struggles in 2012.
Washington State – 12 points
Brian: I don’t expect them to make much noise with Mike Leach in his first season, but they definitely will be a threat in the air all season.
Arizona – 12 points
Mike: Rich Rod will eventually make ‘Zona better, it will just take time.
Oregon State – 9 points
Brian: Mike Riley really needs to start turning things around in Corvallis, otherwise this could be his final season.
Colorado – 0 points
Mike: Expect another season of struggles for the Buffs.

Both the Trojans and Ducks were picked as 1-2, respectively. The Buffaloes were picked dead last just as they finished the season last year.