Pac 12 North:

1. Washington. This is a very tough Conference with two very tough Divisions to call. Washington gets the nod here with their QB + 6 starters returning on offense, and 6 on defense. The problem is that they lost most of their DBacks. The schedule plays a large part this season and UDub has it rather easy, going to Stanford, but ducking USC.

2. Oregon returns 8 starters including their QB, on offense and 9 on defense. The question is just how good is the talent level? In a tough Conference, new HC Taggert gets to host Nebraska, and duck USC. Unfortunagtely they must go to Stanford, UCLA, and Washington.

Others. Stanford returns 8 starters on both sides of the ball but loses their All American players to the NFL. Their season will be decided before their off week, going to USC, San Diego State, and Utah, while hosting UCLA and Oregon. Talk about a tough opening act. Washington State had a strange season, starting 0-2, then going 8-0 and finishing 0-3. They return 7 on offense including a very good QB and 9 on defense. They get USC and Utah as part of their crossover schedule.

PAC 12 West:

1. USC. The Trojans return only 5 starters on offense and 7 on defense, but this team is loaded with talent, including Heisman favorite QB Donaldson. The schedule is about as easy as a USC schedule gets, going to Wazzu, Notre Dame, and Colorado, and hosting Stanford and Texas (back to back) and UCLA. The big worry for HC Helton is the huge amount of pressure he will be under. This team had better produce.

2. UCLA. The baby Bears return 9 Starters on offense including a healthy QB, and 6 on defense. UCLA's season was a disaster last year, and another repeat means the end of the line for HC Mora. The schedule is brutal, including a home opener against Texas A&M, other home games against Colorado and Oregon,and away games at Stanford, Washington, Utah, and USC. Ouch.

Others. Colorado. The surprise team of 2016 returns 9 starters on offense, but only 3 on defense. They will have to find a new QB and rebuild their defense. Their schedule is certainly doable, if they can find the pieces to rebuild the defenses. Arizona returns 8 starters including their QB on offense, and 7 on defense. This team was a huge disappointment last season. This year, they have a cream puff non-con schedule and duck both Stanford and Washington. Do or die for Rich Rod?