2015-16 College Football Preview: PAC 12 (South Division)

Finally, it's time to preview my favorite conference in college football...the PAC-12. First up, we will be taking a look at a division that could claim the "best division in college football title" and no one besides the SEC West would be able to put up an argument. The PAC-12 South is absolutely loaded from top-to-bottom. UCLA, USC, Arizona State, Arizona, and Utah all stand a chance at taking the division crown and even the PAC-12 title itself. Even Colorado is potentially good enough to sneak into a bowl game if a few things break their way. Anyway, here's a quick look at how I think things are going to play out in the PAC-12 South this year.

The Ultimate Sports Blog's

2015-16 College Football Preview

PAC 12

South Division

1. UCLA Bruins

2014 Record: 10-3 (6-3)


Head Coach: Jim Mora (29-11 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 43 (258.3 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 34 (209.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 36 (33.5 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 77 (28.1 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Brett Hundley (3,155 passing yards, 69.1% completions, 22 TD's, 5 INT's)

Rushing - Paul Perkins (251 carries, 1,575 rushing yards, 9 TD's)

Receiving - Jordan Payton (67 receptions, 954 receiving yards, 7 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Paul Perkins (RB), Jordan Payton (WR), Devin Fuller (WR), Eldridge Massington (WR), Thomas Duarte (TE), Jake Brendel (C), Alex Redmond (RG), Kenny Lacy (LG), Caleb Benenoch (RT), Conor McDermott (LT), Kenny Clark (DT), Eddie Vanderdoes (DE), Deon Hollins (LB), Myles Jack (LB), Priest Willis (CB), Fabian Moreau (CB), Randall Goforth (SS), Jaleel Wadood (FS), Ka'imi Fairbairn (K), Matt Mengel (P)


Top Incoming Players: Josh Rosen (QB), Sotonye Jamabo (RB), Cordell Broadus (WR), Chris Clark (TE), Zach Bateman (OL), Josh Wariboko (OL), Fred Ulu-Perry (OL), Andre James (OL), Tevita Halalilo (OL), Keisean Lucier-South (LB), DeChaun Holiday (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Virginia
vs. @ UNLV
vs. BYU
vs. @ Arizona
vs. Arizona State
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Stanford
vs. California
vs. Colorado
vs. @ Oregon State
vs. Washington State
vs. @ Utah
vs. @ USC
BYE WEEK


PAC 12 Title Game: vs. Stanford (W)

Early Prediction: 11-2 (7-2)

2. Arizona State Sun Devils

2014 Record: 10-3 (6-3)


Head Coach: Todd Graham (28-12 all-time at Arizona State, 77-41 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 33 (273.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 58 (168.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 17 (36.9 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 76 (27.9 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Taylor Kelly (2,114 passing yards, 59.4% completions, 22 TD's, 5 INT's)

Rushing - D.J. Foster (194 carries, 1,081 rushing yards, 9 TD's)

Receiving - Jaelen Strong (82 receptions, 1,165 receiving yards, 10 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Demario Richard (RB), D.J. Foster (WR), Ellis Jefferson (WR), Kody Kohl (TE), Nick Kelly (C), Vi Teofilo (RG), Christian Westerman (LG), Edmond Boateng (DE), Tashon Smallwood (DT), Mo Latu (DT), Antonio Longino (LB), Salamo Fiso (LB), Viliami Moeakiola (LB), Lloyd Carrington (DB), Kweishi Brown (DB), Jordan Simone (FS), Zane Gonzalez (K), Matt Haack (P)


Top Incoming Players: Brady White (QB), Jason Lewis (RB), Raymond Epps (TE), Tommy Hudson (TE), Deonte Reynolds (DL), Joseph Wicker (DL), Davon Durant (LB), Khaylan Thomas (LB), Stanley Norman (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Texas A&M
vs. Cal Poly
vs. New Mexico
vs. USC
vs. @ UCLA
vs. Colorado
vs. @ Utah
BYE WEEK
vs. Oregon
vs. @ Washington State
vs. Washington
vs. Arizona
vs. @ California
BYE WEEK

Early Prediction: 9-3 (6-3)

3. USC Trojans

2014 Record: 9-4 (6-3)


Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian (9-4 all-time at USC, 43-33 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 15 (296.6 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 68 (160.9 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 23 (35.8 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 46 (25.2 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Cody Kessler (3,826 passing yards, 69.7% completions, 39 TD's, 5 INT's)

Rushing - Buck Allen (276 carries, 1,489 rushing yards, 11 TD's)

Receiving - Nelson Agholor (104 receptions, 1,313 receiving yards, 12 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Cody Kessler (QB), Juju Smith (WR), Max Tuerk (C), Viane Talamiavao (RG), Damien Mama (LG), Zach Banner (RT), Toa Lobendahn (LT), Antwaun Woods (DT), Delvon Simmons (DT), Anthony Sarao (LB), Su'a Cravens (LB), Adoree' Jackson (CB), Kevon Seymour (CB), Leon McQuay (FS), Kris Albarado (P)


Top Incoming Players: Ricky Town (QB), Sam Darnold (QB), Ronald Jones (RB), Aca'Cedric Ware (RB), De'Quan Hampton (WR), Isaac Whitney (WR), Tyler Petite (TE), Chuma Edoga (OL), Rasheem Green (DL), Jacob Daniel (DL), John Houston (LB), Osa Masina (LB), Porter Gustin (LB), Cameron Smith (LB), Iman Marshall (DB), Marvell Tell (DB), Isaiah Langley (DB), Ykili Ross (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Arkansas State
vs. Idaho
vs. Stanford
vs. @ Arizona State
BYE WEEK
vs. Washington
vs. @ Notre Dame
vs. Utah
vs. @ California
vs. Arizona
vs. @ Colorado
vs. @ Oregon
vs. UCLA
BYE WEEK

Early Prediction: 8-4 (6-3)

4. Arizona Wildcats

2014 Record: 10-4 (7-2)


Head Coach: Rich Rodriguez (26-14 all-time at Arizona, 101-62 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 21 (281.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 47 (181.9 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 30 (34.5 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 80 (28.2 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Anu Solomon (3,793 passing yards, 58.0% completions, 28 TD's, 9 INT's)

Rushing - Nick Wilson (236 carries, 1,375 rushing yards, 16 TD's)

Receiving - Cayleb Jones (73 receptions, 1,019 receiving yards, 9 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Anu Solomon (QB), Nick Wilson (RB), Samajie Grant (WR), Cayleb Jones (WR), Nate Phillips (WR), Jacob Alsadek (RG), Cayman Bundage (LG), Jeffrey Worthy (DL), Reggie Gilbert (DE), Derrick Turituri (LB), Scooby Wright (LB), William Parks (LB), Jarvis McCall (CB), Casey Skowron (K), Drew Riggleman (P)


Top Incoming Players: Darick Holmes (RB), Orlando Bradford (RB), Cedric Peterson (WR), Shun Brown (WR), Matt Morin (TE), Brion Anduze (TE), Keenan Walker (OL), Cody Creason (OL), Anthony Fotu (DL), Timmy Hamilton (DL), Dane Cruikshank (DB), Paul Magloire (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. UTSA
vs. @ Nevada
vs. Northern Arizona
vs. UCLA
vs. @ Stanford
vs. Oregon State
vs. Colorado
vs. Washington State
vs. @ Washington
vs. @ USC
vs. Utah
vs. @ Arizona State
BYE WEEK
BYE WEEK

Early Prediction: 8-4 (5-4)

5. Utah Utes

2014 Record: 9-4 (5-4)


Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham (84-43 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 95 (197.7 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 41 (190.4 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 52 (31.3 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 43 (24.9 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Travis Wilson (2,170 passing yards, 60.7% completions, 18 TD's, 5 INT's)

Rushing - Devontae Booker (292 carries, 1,512 rushing yards, 10 TD's)

Receiving - Kaelin Clay (43 receptions, 523 receiving yards, 4 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Kendal Thompson (QB), Travis Wilson (QB), Devontae Booker (RB), Kenneth Scott (WR), Siaosi Aioni (C), Salesi Uhatafe (RG), Isaac Asiata (LG), J.J. Dielman (LT), Hunter Dimick (DE), Lowell Lotulelei (DT), Kylie Fitts (DL), Jared Norris (LB), Jason Whittingham (LB), Gionni Paul (LB), Dominique Hatfield (CB), Jason Thompson (FS), Andy Phillips (K), Tom Hackett (P)


Top Incoming Players: Marcel Brooks-Brown (RB), Deniko Carter (WR), Alfred Smith (WR), George Wilson (WR), Darrin Paulo (OL), Chris Hart (DL), Cory Butler (DB), Kyle Fulks (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Michigan
vs. Utah State
vs. @ Fresno State
vs. @ Oregon
BYE WEEK
vs. California
vs. Arizona State
vs. @ USC
vs. Oregon State
vs. @ Washington
vs. @ Arizona
vs. UCLA
vs. Colorado
BYE WEEK

Early Prediction: 7-5 (4-5)

6. Colorado Buffaloes

2014 Record: 2-10 (0-9)


Head Coach: Mike MacIntyre


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 20 (284.6 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 77 (154.6 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 67 (28.5 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 119 (39.0 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Sefu Liufau (3,200 passing yards, 65.3% completions, 28 TD's, 15 INT's)

Rushing - Christian Powell (85 carries, 448 rushing yards, 4 TD's)

Receiving - Nelson Spruce (106 receptions, 1,198 receiving yards, 12 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Sefo Liufau (QB), Christian Powell (RB), Nelson Spruce (WR), Shay Fields (WR), Alex Kelley (C), Stephane Nembot (RT), Jeromy Irwin (LT), Derek McCartney (DE), Jimmie Gilbert (DE), Josh Tupou (DT), Kenneth Olugbode (LB), Addison Gillam (LB), Chidobe Awuzie (LB), Kenneth Crawley (CB), Tedric Thompson (SS), Evan White (FS)


Top Incoming Players: Steven Montez (QB), Aaron Baltazar (RB), Patrick Carr (RB), Donald Gordon (RB), Chris Bounds (TE), Tim Lynott (OL), Jordan Carrell (DL), N.J. Falo (LB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ Hawaii
vs. UMass
vs. Colorado State
vs. Nicholls State
vs. Oregon
vs. @ Arizona State
vs. Arizona
vs. @ Oregon State
vs. @ UCLA
vs. Stanford
vs. USC
vs. @ Washington State
vs. @ Utah
BYE WEEK

Early Prediction: 4-9 (0-9)

PAC 12 South Division's Potential NFL Talent:

(These are guys playing in the conference this year who are already on NFL team's radars)

Cody Kessler - QB (USC)

Sefo Liufau - QB (Colorado)

Mike Bercovici - QB (Arizona State)

Travis Wilson - QB (Utah)

Devontae Booker - RB (Utah)

Paul Perkins - RB (UCLA)

Justin Davis - RB (USC)

Soma Vainuku - RB (USC)

Jordan Payton - WR (UCLA)

Nelson Spruce - WR (Colorado)

D.J. Foster - WR (Arizona State)

Cayleb Jones - WR (Arizona)

Thomas Duarte - TE (UCLA)

Max Tuerk - C (USC)

Jake Brendel - C (UCLA)

Nick Kelly - C (Arizona State)

Vi Teofilo - OG (Arizona State)

Christian Westerman - OG (Arizona State)

Scott Quessenberry - OG (UCLA)

Alex Redmond - OG (UCLA)

Caleb Benenoch - OT (UCLA)

Zach Banner - OT (USC)

Hunter Dimick - DE (Utah)

Delvon Simmons - DE (USC)

Eddie Vanderdoes - DT (UCLA)

Kenny Clark - DT (UCLA)

Antwaun Woods - DT (USC)

Myles Jack - LB (UCLA)

Su'a Cravens - LB (USC)

Jared Norris - LB (Utah)

Scooby Wright - LB (Arizona)

Salamo Fiso - LB (Arizona State)

Antonio Longino - LB (Arizona State)

Jason Whittingham - LB (Utah)

Addison Gillam - LB (Colorado)

Kenneth Crawley - CB (Colorado)

Lloyd Carrington - CB (Arizona State)

Jordan Simone - S (Arizona State)

Andy Phillips - K (Utah)

Tom Hackett - P (Utah)